A beautiful sunrise before a surf session
Surfing in Cocoa Beach
As the East Coast surf capital, Cocoa Beach offers beginner and expert surfers alike waves that are easy to ride and warm temperatures year-round. Want to learn how to surf? Several surf schools have experienced instructors who can get you up on a board in no time. Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company have everything you need for a day at the beach including rentals. Plus, Cocoa Beach is home to Kelly Slater, 11-time ASP World Tour Champion and considered one of the greatest surfers of all time. Surf professionals and amateurs alike love the authentic beach town for much more than the waves. Many restaurants, bars, hotels, and local art are inspired by the surf history of Cocoa Beach.
The original Ron Jon, a Cocoa Beach surf shop, welcomes an average of two million visitors per year as the largest surf shop in the world. It also houses the Florida Surf Museum, which allows visitors to experience the culture of Florida surfing without even stepping foot in the water. It’s no surprise that surf enthusiasts from all over the world gather not just to surf, but to show their appreciation for the development and growth of surfing in Cocoa Beach.
Surfing Festivals Exclusively in Cocoa Beach
Surf festivals in Cocoa Beach bring together tens of thousands of visitors, such as the Easter Surf Fest since 1946, Beach ‘N Boards Fest, and the NKF Surf Festival since 1976. The largest charity surf festival, National Kidney Foundation Pro-Am Festival, has been held every Labor Day Weekend in Cocoa Beachsince 1985. Even visitors who don’t surf can appreciate sitting on the Cocoa Beach Pier or sandy shore watching the surfers take to the waves in the wake of the legends before them.
If you are looking for a great place to surf or just watch the surfers, come out and visit us in Cocoa Beach. Don’t forget to visit our amazing Cocoa Beach surf shops and apparel stores for authentic cocoa beach gear.
2nd Light Beach
Located at the second traffic light as you travel south out of Cocoa Beach, this surf hotspot is a favorite among the locals.
Ron Jon Surf School
If you’ve always dreamed about surfing the ocean’s waves but never delved into this popular sport, there’s no better place to get started than Cocoa Beach. Group and private surfing lessons are available at Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Florida Surf Museum
Experience the heritage and culture of East Coast surfing. The Florida Surf Museum produces exhibits exploring the history and evolution of surfing – the people, places, boards, culture and more.
Cocoa Beach Surf Company
Hailed as the world's largest surf complex, the Cocoa Beach Surf Company offers over 1,500 surfboards, one-of-a-kind clothes, beach rentals and more.
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is a historical landmark on the Space Coast. Join local surfers here for some of the best surfing on the east coast! The Pier also offers beach rentals, fresh water showers, regulation beach volleyball courts and lifeguards year round.
Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel and Suites
The Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel and Suites is a tropical themed hotel parallel from the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. With close proximity to this surf spot, everything you need for an epic trip is all here including complimentary continental breakfast every morning.
Quality Inn & Suites Cocoa Beach
Enjoy a touch of Key West right in the middle of Cocoa Beach. Our convenient beach side location, selection of rooms including efficiencies, courtyard view and ocean view suites and a host of amenities make us one of Cocoa Beach's best values.
Four Points by Sheraton
Located just steps away from the beach, guests can not only expect beautiful views of the ocean but a variety of on-site amenities like the casual Shark Pit Bar & Grill, a 5,600-gallon shark & exotic fish aquarium and 40-foot water wall. Not to mention, shopping in the world's largest surf complex, Cocoa Beach Surf Company (TM).
Surf Studio Beach Resort
Want a hotel that’s more like your own backyard but has oceanfront views and direct beach access? Surf Studio Beach Resort is quaint but comfortable and features a pool, sundeck, hammocks and beautiful views of the ocean.
Juice 'N Java
After you finish up your surf session, stop in at Juice-N-Java to get refueled. This community gathering place is more than a coffee house. Their menu includes fresh roasted coffee on-site, smoothies, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Tiny Turtle
Serving flavorful, Caribbean infused food-truck style food in downtown Cocoa Beach. Locals love this place and would be the ideal setting after catching a few waves.
Boardwalk Bar
Enjoy a delicious meal with a fantastic oceanfront view at The Boardwalk Bar located at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. Their menu features tasty chicken wings, as well as fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, and burgers. Not to mention specialty drinks like Castaway Rum Punch and Cocoa Set Sail.
The Fat Donkey
Located in Downtown Cocoa Beach, this delicious ice cream eatery offers a variety of dairy treats. Popular ice cream flavors include Butterscotch Bomb, Calypso Crunch, Mai Kai and Coconut Pineapple. Or try a Zonkey – soft serve ice cream layered with sorbet or Italian ice. Vegan options are available as well.
Taco City
Taco City serves up traditional Tex-Mex dishes for their patrons in a comfortable, laidback beach-like atmosphere with the convenience of having public access to the beach.
Sandbar Sports Grill
Beachside restaurant popular for its location, laid back atmosphere and mouthwatering menu. Open late, Sandbar Sports Grill has live music daily.
Vacation Planner for Florida’s Space Coast
Dive into the Space Coast Vacation Planner then launch into an unforgettable getaway.