Florida’s Space Coast packs about 70 miles of Atlantic shoreline into Brevard County, and it’s one of the few places on earth where you can catch a wave in the morning and watch a rocket launch in the afternoon. Whether you’re staying in a Cocoa Beach condo, an Airbnb in Satellite Beach or a beach house in Melbourne, this guide covers the beaches worth your time and the easiest way to show up ready for a full day in the sun.
Cocoa Beach: The Classic Space Coast Beach Day
Cocoa Beach is the heart of the Space Coast. Wide, flat sand and steady surf make it a favorite for families and surfers alike.
Cocoa Beach Pier area
The area around the Cocoa Beach Pier is lively, with restaurants, shops and plenty of people watching. It’s a great pick if you like having food and restrooms close by. Get there early on weekends and holidays, because parking fills up quickly.
Lori Wilson Park
If you want a calmer day, Lori Wilson Park is a local favorite. It’s tucked behind a stretch of coastal hammock, has a boardwalk nature trail, and the beach tends to feel more relaxed than the pier area.
Shepard Park
Shepard Park sits right where SR 520 meets the ocean, so it’s easy to find. It’s a good, central spot with quick beach access and nearby amenities.
Cape Canaveral: Jetty Park and Launch Views
Just north of Cocoa Beach, Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral is a full-service beach park with a fishing pier, campground and a front-row view of Port Canaveral. Watching cruise ships head out to sea from the beach is a big hit with kids. Jetty Park is also one of the best-known spots to watch a rocket launch from the sand.
Satellite Beach and Indian Harbour Beach: Quiet and Local
Head south and the crowds thin out. Satellite Beach and Indian Harbour Beach are more residential, with smaller beach parks and a laid-back, locals-only feel. These beaches are perfect if you’re staying at a vacation rental and want an easy, uncrowded morning on the sand.
Melbourne Beach and Indialantic: Space to Spread Out
Melbourne-area beaches offer some of the most room to spread out on the Space Coast. Paradise Beach Park and Spessard Holland Park are popular, family-friendly options with facilities. Further south, the beaches near the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge are among the most important sea turtle nesting areas in the country, so it’s a beautiful, natural stretch of coast.
What to Bring for a Full Space Coast Beach Day
The Atlantic breeze helps, but the Florida sun is strong year-round. Here’s what makes a beach day comfortable instead of exhausting:
- Real shade. A cabana or umbrella is the difference between a two-hour beach trip and an all-day one.
- Comfortable beach chairs. Low-slung backpack chairs, like Tommy Bahama chairs, are easy to carry and comfortable for hours.
- A cooler that keeps ice. A quality cooler, like an RTIC, keeps drinks and snacks cold through a hot afternoon.
- A beach wagon. Space Coast beach access points can involve a walk over dunes and boardwalks. A wagon gets everything there in one trip.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, water and hats. Reapply often, especially on cloudy days.
Don’t Pack It, Rent It: Beach Gear Delivered on the Space Coast
Flying in? There’s no reason to pack chairs into your luggage or spend the first morning of vacation in a big-box store. Beach Bum Accessories delivers beach gear directly to your vacation rental, condo or hotel across the Space Coast, including Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach and Melbourne. When your trip is over, we pick it all up.
Choose individual items or save with a bundle from our beach rental packages. Enter your ZIP code and dates on our Space Coast beach gear rental page to see what’s available for your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Cocoa Beach for families?
Lori Wilson Park and the beaches near Shepard Park are both great family choices. They offer easy access, nearby amenities and a more relaxed atmosphere than the busy pier area.
Can I get beach chairs delivered to my Cocoa Beach Airbnb?
Yes. Beach Bum Accessories delivers beach chairs, cabanas, coolers and wagons to vacation rentals, condos and hotels throughout Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast, then picks them up at the end of your stay.
Which Space Coast areas does Beach Bum Accessories serve?
We serve Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne and surrounding Brevard County ZIP codes. Check our Space Coast page for the full list.
When should I book my beach rentals?
As early as you can, especially for spring break, summer and holiday weeks. Booking with exact dates gives you the best selection.