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Posts Tagged ‘Beaches’

Hotels in Cocoal Beach, Florida run the gamut of high-rise chains to low-key villas.  What’s your best pick for a great Florida vacation in Cocoa?

The Closest Beach to Orlando

Cocoa is the closest beach to the Orlando vacation playground of attractions.  And after you are done with the glitter, fireworks and crowds, it’s time to relax and unwind.

Cocoa is on the Central Florida Atlantic coast, just south of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center complex.  And while some people spell it “Coco”, the proper spelling has an a at the end — “Cocoa”.

Hotels for a Cocoa Beach Florida Vacation

So, how you know where you’re going…but where are you going to stay when you get there? This is where a list of Cocoa Beach hotels comes in handy.

Here are a few to get your ideas flowing, regarding hotels in Cocoa Beach.

If you’d prefer a smaller hotel or large inn, you may enjoy the The Inn Cocoa Beach. The advantage here is more personal service in a relaxed atmosphere, while enjoying the nearby beach and other amenities.

If you prefer the idea of a large resort, think about checking into the Doubletree Hotel Cocoa Beach. This is more in the northern part of Cocoa, close to the pier and the cruise port. It’s not right on the beach, though, so you won’t walk out your door onto sand.

What if you want to stay right on the beach? Then consider the The Resort Cocoa Beach. This is a popular hotel for families taking a Cocoa Beach Florida vacation, but it’s also suitable for singles and couples as well.

So these are a few of the hotels in Cocoa Beach, Florida to think about. In the above links you’ll also find what I call “dollar deals” — special low prices. They are worth investgating, because prices can fluctuate.
Have a great Cocoa Beach Florida vacation!

Beaches in the Florida Keys aren’t as plentiful as you might imagine — the Keys are islands, right?  Yes, they are islands, but special ones which don’t have many beaches.

However, there are some wonderful stretches of sea and sand in the Florida Keys.  If you’re not expecting the wide beaches of NE Florida or the Panhandle, you’ll likely be pleased.

Let’s take a look at some of the beaches in the Florida Keys.

First Stop:  Harry Harris Park

Tavernier, located in the Upper Keys, has a beach at mile marker (MM) 92.5.  The beach itself is located inside Harry Harris Park.  Now remember, the beaches in the Florida Keys are small, and this is definitely…small.  But it is a beach!  If you have youngsters, this is a great beach because of the protected swimming area; no surf, and no large fish to nibble their toes.

Anne’s Beach

While there are places to play on the sand in the Florida Middle Keys, most of them are private beaches for resorts.  If you want a public beach, Anne’s Beach at mile marker (MM) 78 (kind of between the Upper and Middle Keys).  It’s not a long or wide beach, and there’s little surf, due to the calming effect of the offshore reef.  Still, the water is warm and clear and the sun shines brightly.  Anne’s Beach on Upper Matecumbe also features picnic areas and covered pavillions.

The Beach at Bahia Honda

This is a glorious Florida Keys beach, and worth the trip to the Lower Keys to see it.  It has a good-sized beach area, with plenty of room for walking.  Swimming and snorkeling are great here, and Bahia Honda is just what you’d expect from a tropical island beach — a slice of paradise.

(The photo you see here is Bahia Honda.)

The Key West Beaches

Smather’s Beach is the most famous of the Key West beaches, as well as the largest — a half mile long.  Still, there is plenty to do here.  From parasailing to snorkeling to volleyball, there is plenty going on.  And if you like just kicking back and watching the world go by, there’s a beach chair waiting!

Other beaches in Key West, Florida include Higgs Memorial, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach, as well as CB Harvey Rest Beach.

Here’s additional information on Key West beaches. 

Beach Trivia

 Well, I did warn you there there weren’t a lot of beaches in the Florida Keys, and here’s why.  The only living coral reef in the continental United States is offshore, and it protects the Keys from the wave action of the sometimes-storm Atlantic Ocean.

However, that wave action is what builds up beaches!  Add to it that the Keys are composed of limestone and coral, which aren’t the best beach-building materials, and you have few stretches of natural sand.

Still, most of the major resorts do have their own private beaches, so fear not; there just may be some sand closer than you think!