Florida’s Area Coast is a one-of-a-kind trip vacation spot the place nature, journey, and human innovation converge. Stretching alongside 72 miles of lovely shoreline, the realm is thought for its distinctive mixture of seashores, nature, lively wildlife, and its connection to house exploration.
Nature lovers can expertise bioluminescence on guided kayak excursions by means of Mosquito Lagoon or take pleasure in fishing in Mosquito Lagoon and Sebastian Inlet. Wildlife aficionados can go on nighttime sea turtle walks or spot manatees whereas paddleboarding the Indian River Lagoon.
Outside explorers can hike or cycle by means of scenic trails at Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge or chill out on Cocoa Seashore, a paradise for surfers and solar chasers. For vacationers wanting an academic and interactive expertise, the Kennedy Area Middle provides immersive alternatives, rocket shows, and shuttle simulations that commemorate our achievements in house.
Households will love Brevard Zoo, the place they’ll kayak by means of animal habitats and feed giraffes. Eating is aso a deal with, with contemporary seafood and ocean views at native favorites, whereas Cocoa Village provides procuring, sips, and artwork.
Right here’s a deeper dive into the actions and experiences you’ll discover when vacationing on Florida’s Area Coast!
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1. Bioluminescent Experiences
Florida’s Area Coast provides up-close encounters with bioluminescence, a pure mild present attributable to tiny marine creatures that emit a blue-green glow. Comb jellies contribute to this spectacle with a shimmering impact that scatters mild.
Guests can expertise the sunshine show by exploring Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and Indian River Lagoon on the Area Coast.
There are a number of choices to expertise this phenomenon, together with guided clear kayak excursions, paddleboarding, and nighttime boat excursions. It’s most seen from July to September.
2. Fishing Alternatives
Fishing is a well-liked pastime on Florida’s Area Coast. Mosquito Lagoon is thought for its shallow waters and biodiversity, making it a prime vacation spot for inshore fishing.
Alternatively, Sebastian Inlet is legendary for its robust currents, very best for each inshore and offshore fishing. That’s the place you’ll find Spanish mackerel, snook, and redfish. Do you know this space is named the redfish capital of the world?
Fish early within the morning or late afternoon for higher situations, and think about a seaside fishing tour or go on a fishing constitution!
3. Brevard County Seashores
Florida’s Area Coast is dwelling to among the most beautiful seashores within the state. Cocoa Seashore, well-known for its browsing tradition and energetic pier, is the right place for a seaside day.
For a extra tranquil escape, Canaveral Nationwide Seashore’s untouched shorelines are perfect for a extra personal seaside expertise in nature, together with backcountry tenting alternatives. Households can benefit from the calm waters and facilities of Melbourne Seashore, whereas surfers can check their expertise at Monster Gap.
4. Brevard Zoo Kayak Tour
Brevard Zoo is a community-driven nonprofit group that gives enjoyable and academic experiences for individuals of all ages. It’s probably the greatest zoos in the US based on final 12 months’s U.S. Information and World Report.
Brevard Zoo is dwelling to over 900 animals from 195 species discovered within the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It options all types of ecosystems, from savannas to swamps and rainforests.
On the zoo, guests can get near a number of animals and feed them. Examples embrace okapis, giraffes, and stingrays. For one thing extra lively, take a kayak tour to see animal habitats within the Wild Florida a part of the zoo.
5. Kennedy Area Middle
Established in 1963, the Kennedy Area Middle captures the historical past and way forward for house exploration by means of interactive reveals. Its simulations, with real looking sounds and visuals, give guests a style of what it feels wish to launch into house.
The centerpiece of the advanced, the Area Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, is an actual house shuttle on show because it appeared in orbit. It has over 60 shows in regards to the shuttle’s missions and expertise. One other spotlight is the Apollo/Saturn V Middle, the place friends can stand beneath the 363-foot-long Saturn V rocket, the biggest rocket ever flown.
Don’t miss the Zero-G Austronaut Expertise the place you possibly can see what it feels wish to be weightless with a educated austronaut. Additionally hold a watch out for Kennedy Area Middle occasions like actual rocket launches and stargazing.
6. Sea Turtle Walks
The Area Coast is a good place to see sea turtles of their pure habitat throughout nesting season. In 2023, the Area Coast had over 52,500 nests, exhibiting an increase in each loggerhead and inexperienced turtle populations due to profitable conservation efforts.
Florida is dwelling to a number of turtle species. Loggerhead turtles are the commonest, weighing 200-250 kilos. Inexperienced turtles are massive with easy shells, whereas leatherback turtles attain as much as 7 toes and over 1,000 kilos.
Standard spots for turtle sightings embrace Canaveral Nationwide Seashore, Archie Carr Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
In June and July, Mates of the Carr Refuge share an unforgettable expertise with the general public on the sands of Archie Carr Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. Be a part of their nighttime turtle walks on Wednesday and Saturday.
7. Meet the Florida Manatee
Florida’s Area Coast is a superb location for observing Florida manatees, also called “mild giants” or “sea cows.”
These slow-moving mammals might be seen alongside the coast, significantly within the Indian River Lagoon, with heat waters and loads of seagrass. Enjoyable truth: the Indian River Lagoon is likely one of the most numerous estuaries in America, internet hosting greater than 4,000 species of vegetation and animals.
We took a kayaking tour whereas visiting and noticed tons of manatees popping as much as the floor. It was an incredible expertise. Many tour operators launch out of Manatee Cove Park, a hotspot for kayaking and paddleboarding with manatees.
8. Port Canaveral Cruises
Port Canaveral is dwelling to main cruise traces like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian, providing itineraries to gorgeous locations within the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and past.
With quick access to Port Canaveral, vacationers can name Florida’s Area Coast their homebase earlier than or after their voyage, having fun with every little thing the realm has to supply. Personally, I like spending a couple of days exploring port cities after my cruise has returned, and the Area Coast has a lot to maintain you entertained.
It’s a trip vacation spot that enhances any cruise expertise with its distinctive choices.
9. Mouthwatering Culinary Experiences
Eating on Florida’s Area Coast is a culinary journey that mixes contemporary seafood, ocean views, and a laid-back environment. From oceanfront seafood spots to riverside eateries, the restaurant expertise is mouthwatering enjoyable.
Get pleasure from a novel dinner or Sunday brunch expertise aboard the Indian River Queen, a historic three-story paddle wheel boat that gracefully cruises by means of the scenic lagoon.
For an upscale dinner expertise, go to Florida’s Contemporary Grill in Cocoa Seashore, recognized for seafood and steak dishes. Make certain that you gown to impress, as they’ve a “nation membership informal” gown code. Seafood lovers ought to try Seafood Atlantic, a preferred restaurant at Port Canaveral providing “the freshest native seafood doable with out proudly owning a ship.”
Breakfast and brunch lovers, will love The Fats Snook which serves inventive Florida delicacies with a Caribbean twist. One other must-visit is Lengthy Doggers, a brilliant informal spot excellent for having fun with wings, burgers, and native brews after a day on Cocoa Seashore.
10. Past Nature and Area
Florida’s Area Coast provides experiences past its seashores and house points of interest. Discover the charming streets of Downtown Cocoa Village, crammed with boutique retailers, artwork galleries, and reside leisure on the Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Try the quirky Wizard of Oz Museum, that includes authentic film props like Dorothy’s gown, or social gathering on the water with Paddle Pub Cocoa Seashore. The King Middle for the Performing Arts hosts live shows, comedy footwear, and Boardway-style productions.
You can too take pleasure in golf programs, breweries, boat excursions, browsing classes, and tons extra in your Florida Area Coast trip!
Featured Picture: Area Coast Tourism
By day, I am a full-time Director of Operations, and by night time (and each spare weekend), I’m a Journey Journalist. With over 20 years of profession expertise, I’ve mastered the artwork of balancing enterprise with bucket lists. As a contract Digital Writer at Yahoo, MSN, and NewsBreak, in addition to a member of the Society of American Journey Writers, I’m right here to share my experiences and perception with you. Visiting my dwelling state?—Try Virginia Journey Information!