Vacationing in Florida is a long-awaited trip to a tropical paradise with beautiful beaches.
When people talk about Florida, a picture of a beautiful resort immediately comes to mind.
Indeed, a vacation in Florida is impossible to imagine without the endless beaches of this state.
The climate of Florida is so mild and pleasant that this destination is popular not only among Americans and Canadians who like to come to Miami and other Florida cities in the winter but also among people from Europe and Asia.
So we can immediately conclude that the prices of holidays in Florida are not so low.
However, it’s worth it!
Let’s talk about Cocoa Beach today.
What’s Unique About Cocoa Beach?
The place is known for its breathtaking beaches, surfing, and the renowned surf shop, Ron Jon Surf Shop.
And also here, you can find less crowded beaches.
The waters of the Atlantic Ocean tend to be colder than those of the Gulf of Mexico, but during the summer months, the water is certainly warm enough for a comfortable swim.
Western beaches on the Gulf of Mexico tend to be very shallow; you can walk hundreds of miles from the shore and still stand in shallow water.
This creates a safe environment for children but is not suitable for surfing.
Very good ocean surf can be found on the Atlantic Ocean, and Cocoa Beach is a favorite spot for surfers.
And I can definitely say that a trip to Cocoa Beach in the spring and early summer is the best option both in terms of prices, the lack of a large number of tourists, and the weather.
Not so hot yet, but already good.
And in the fall, you can generally get into one of the hurricanes that regularly attack the southeast coast of Florida.
Top 11 Hidden Gems in Cocoa Beach
Manatee Sanctuary Park
You won’t get bored when visiting this park, whether you choose to take a tour of the sanctuary to learn more about the animals or get up close and personal with intriguing creatures like manatees and sea turtles.
Manatees have no natural enemies.
And while the animals don’t look particularly strong, they are huge.
A newborn baby manatee weighs about 40 pounds but grows to almost 13 feet in length, having a mass of 1763.7 pounds.
These sizes protect the manatee from attacks by sharks and alligators but do not protect against humans.
For example, in the US state of Florida today, only a very small number of manatees die from natural causes.
More often, they are crushed by boats in narrow shipping channels; animals drown in control locks and are cut by the open propellers of boats.
Lori Wilson Park
It is a great public beach park where more than just an ocean view may be found.
There is something for everyone, including a scenic beach, winding pathways, and lovely lakeside activities.
Whatever your preference, Lori Wilson Park never fails to impress, whether you like to watch the sunrise or the sunset.
On land, visitors can stroll among tropical hammocks on nature trails; alternatively, they can rent kayaks or paddle boards to experience the Indian River Lagoon on the water.
The Dinosaur Store
It is a great spot for adults and children, as there is something to pique everyone’s interest, from getting a close-up look at dinosaur teeth to watching ancient skeletons come to life in animated form on big-screen TVs.
South Banana River Aquatic Preserve
With its vast marshlands, beaches, and lagoons, it’s not only a picturesque location—it also offers countless options for exploration.
There is something for everyone, whether you enjoy bird-watching, marine turtle spotting, kayaking, or canoeing.
Explore the Cocoa Beach Pier
The 800-foot-long Cocoa Beach boardwalk spans the Atlantic Ocean.
Along with offering a great view of the beach, it is teeming with stores, eateries, and boutiques.
The Atlantic Ocean Grille’s succulent fish sandwiches are not to be missed.
Discover Ron Jon Surf Shop
With a total area of 52,000 square feet, this famous Ron Jon Surf Shop is the biggest surf shop in the world.
One of the major attractions in Cocoa Beach, the shop is open around the clock and has everything you could possibly need for a beach lifestyle, including bikinis, surfboards, apparel, and sporting goods.
Even if you don’t feel like shopping, it’s worth exploring because of its fish tanks, glass elevators, and running waterfalls.
Nature’s Way Market & Café
The café in Cocoa Beach’s Nature’s Way Market & Café is not your typical coffee shop.
This neighborhood café offers a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes made using organic and regional ingredients.
After taking in all that Cocoa Beach has to offer, it’s the ideal location for breakfast or lunch.
Exploration Tower
An essential sight to visit is the Exploration Tower.
Visitors can explore a range of interactive exhibits that explain the history and culture of Cocoa Beach in addition to getting a unique perspective of the neighborhood thanks to the building’s astounding seven-story height.
Why Does Cocoa Beach Glow at Night?
It is because of the natural phenomenon through which living organisms emit light.
This occurs as a result of a biochemical process involving oxygen, a protein called luciferin, and the enzyme luciferase.
This is a reaction that converts chemical energy into light and proceeds as follows:
Oxygen causes the oxidation of luciferin, which starts the process.
Luciferase speeds up the reaction, resulting in the formation of water and, more importantly, light.
Problems of pure chemistry of a more academic nature are out of place here.
But I will tell you that both fungi and bacteria can produce bioluminescence, as can different types of animals, both unicellular and multicellular.
Among them are mollusks, crustaceans, cephalopods, worms, jellyfish, and even fish.
It is worth noting that bioluminescence can have different colors.
They will depend on the creature that produced them.
In the vast majority of cases, the shade is green or blue.
However, one caused by the deep-sea jellyfish Peryphilla, for example, has a reddish hue.
Also, we should not confuse bioluminescence with fluorescence.
In the latter, the energy of the previous light source is captured and sent along with another photon.
Instead, as we have already told you, bioluminescence is a chemical reaction.
Can You Walk on the Beach at Night in Cocoa Beach?
Yes.
Cocoa Beach is open every single day of the year.
After the sun has gone down, the beach becomes notably deserted as people leave for the day.
Additionally, going at night on the beach is recommended if you want some peace and quiet while being close to the lake.
