Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches, 35 miles to the east, stretching 72 miles along the coastline, and is the East Coast surfing capital. Visitors can discover the beauty of nature in more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, Brevard Zoo, and the Indian River Lagoon. Launches are visible across the county from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the only location in America where astronauts launch into space. For more information about launches, visit SpaceCoastLaunches.com and download the Space Coast Launches app (Apple)(Android).

Countdown to Launch

Here are the Top Ten things you need to know about Florida’s Space Coast

10. Where is the Space Coast? How do I get there?

Florida’s Space Coast, also known as Brevard County, is located on the East Coast of Florida just south of Daytona Beach. The Space Coast is easily accessible via I-95, US 1 and SR A1A along the coast, and SR 528 (The Beachline), SR 520, US 192 and FL-50 from the West. You can also fly directly into the Space Coast at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport, or drive from Orlando’s International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport. Brevard County includes Barefoot Bay, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Grant, Indian Harbour Beach, Malabar, Palm Bay, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Merritt Island, Mims, Port St. John, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Scottsmoor, Sharpes and Titusville.

9. Take time to be an Eco-tourist

If you want to get out into nature, there’s no better place than the Space Coast. Along our 72 miles of beaches you can surf, stand-up paddleboard, windsurf, kitesurf, parasail and more. Our beaches and rivers are a fisher’s paradise, complete with charters available. Rent bikes for trails or beaches, and kayaks for the Indian River Lagoon. You can also take airboat and wildlife boat tours. Brevard County Parks has many nature centers at various parks. Titusville and Malabar are two of Florida’s “Trail Towns”, with three major trails converging in Titusville. Don’t forget to include the Brevard Zoo on your visit!

8. Immerse yourself in Nature

The Space Coast is one of the top locations for sea turtle nesting in North America. During the Summer, you can also book sea turtle walking tours and bioluminescent kayaking trips. The Space Coast is also along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and a great place to watch for manatees and dolphins. Take a trip out to Canaveral National Seashore, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Indian River Lagoon, Sebastian Inlet, and the Viera Wetlands to experience the beautiful landscapes of wild Florida.

7. Explore the unique ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) occupies more than 30 percent of Florida’s east coast and is the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. IRL is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and the Indian River Lagoon. Stretching more than 150 miles north to south, the options for exploring the beautiful waters of this unique estuary are nearly endless.

6. A little bit of everything for sports lovers

Florida’s Space Coast is home to many sports venues and attractions that really run the gamut for any sports enthusiast. From golf to college sports, youth amateur sports, and surf contests, the Space Coast has everything you could want. Plus, running events take place year-round, providing a beautiful landscape and sunshine to let those endorphins flow.

5. Experience the arts, history, and culture of the Space Coast

The Space Coast holds a proud place in the history of space exploration with many ways to experience and learn more. We also have plenty of museums for Florida and Brevard history, civil rights, nature, military, and more. You can also find multiple performing arts and concert venues, symphonic orchestras, and murals on buildings across the county.

4. Come sail away

Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruising port in the world with more than 4 million passengers each year with cruises from Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and soon to include MSC. While waiting to embark, you can enjoy shopping, dining, parks, and Exploration Tower.

3. Relax on our 72 miles of beaches

Many shops and hotels along the beach have beach rentals for all the essentials you’ll need, from chairs to surfboards and everything in between. Getaway from it all and soak up some rays, or get active with beach volleyball, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and more. Grab some food and drink at beachside restaurants, enjoy some shopping, and visit the Cocoa Beach Pier.

2. The East Coast Surfing Capital

Home to Kelly Slater and the Hobgoods, the Space Coast has been a surfer’s paradise for decades. Come shop at Ron Jon Surf Shop, see if you have what it takes with some lessons, pose with Kelly Slater’s statue, and visit the Florida Surf Museum. Many top championships make a stop at Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach or Sebastian Inlet.

1. The Gateway to Space

Our claim to fame is, of course, space! Watch history in the making with plenty of launches through out the year, and learn more about the path space exploration has taken by visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, American Space Museum and Walk of Fame, and the Sands Space History Center.