What can you really do with 48 hours in Cocoa Beach? A lot more than you might think.
In this episode of Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast, host Kelly Bowman builds the ultimate two day Cocoa Beach itinerary, combining surf culture, local food, wildlife, space exploration, shopping and one of the Space Coast’s most unforgettable nighttime experiences.
Day one starts with sunrise over the Atlantic before diving into the surf culture that helped shape Cocoa Beach. Kelly visits Ron Jon Surf Shop, the iconic Cocoa Beach landmark that has become a tradition for generations of Space Coast visitors.
Then it is time to eat. Kelly heads across the street to Mangia e Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana for authentic Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta and Italian favorites before getting out on the water with Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours. Owner Rusty Buchanan explains why dolphins, manatees and other wildlife thrive in the protected waters around Cocoa Beach and how their guides help visitors understand the ecosystem they are exploring.
The first day wraps up at Jetty Park, where you can relax on the beach, walk the pier, watch cruise ships leave Port Canaveral and, if the timing is right, catch a rocket climbing into the Florida sky.
Day two trades the ocean for outer space with a visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott joins Kelly beneath Space Shuttle Atlantis to share what it is like seeing a spacecraft she knows from an astronaut’s perspective and why Kennedy Space Center connects the past, present and future of space exploration.
Back in Cocoa Beach, Kelly stops for lunch at The Surfinista, where the area’s surfing heritage influences everything from the atmosphere to its fresh, health conscious menu. Then the itinerary heads to Historic Cocoa Village for local shopping, including a visit to Lucia Jewelry, where owner Ariana Williams talks about creating pieces inspired by the coastal lifestyle.
Finally, Kelly saves one of Florida’s Space Coast’s most spectacular experiences for last: paddling through the lagoon after dark to experience bioluminescence, when movement in the water can create an electric blue glow around your paddle, your hands and even passing wildlife.
Whether you are adding a couple of days before a Port Canaveral cruise, escaping Orlando for a weekend getaway or planning a Cocoa Beach vacation of its own, this episode shows just how much adventure you can fit into 48 hours on Florida’s Space Coast.
Two days. One beach town. Surfing, dolphins, rockets, local food, shopping and glowing water. Your Cocoa Beach weekend starts here.
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