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Cocoa Beach at the Pier - Orlando Hotels .com

Want to try surfing or boogie boarding? Boasting the best waves in Florida, Cocoa Beach at the Pier has long been a favorite of surfers. Hosting several annual surfing competitions, the atmosphere remains festive all year long.

With fairly hard packed sand, driving was permitted on Cocoa Beach until the 1960s. Higher surf makes it one of Florida's few true surfing areas, and it's a natural for body surfing.

Picnic areas, showers, restrooms and changing facilities are available at nearby Alan Shepard Park and on Cocoa Beach Pier. Pay phones are located along A1A at periodic intervals. A1A also has its fair share of fast food restaurants and small shops. You can rent beach umbrellas, boogie boards, surfboards and beach chairs at a booth just west of the pier.

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, Cocoa Beach offers some of the best surf fishing in Florida. Cocoa Beach Pier is also available for fishing, and the various beach parks offer playgrounds, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, picnic areas and volleyball courts.

Located a block from the beach, Ron Jon's Surf Shop has lured tourists for years. With its Hollywood art deco exterior and a dazzling array of souvenirs, surf equipment, beach clothes and the like, it's well worth a look-see.

Built in 1962, the Cocoa Beach Pier offers fishing, dining, shopping and a quiet place to have a drink and watch the surf. The pier is located on Meade Avenue directly off A1A.

Directions: Take I-4 East to Exit 28, SR-528 (Bee Line Expressway). Travel on Bee Line Expressway (toll road) for 53-2/10 miles. Stay straight to go onto AIA South. Travel 4-4/10 miles to FL-A1A. Turn left on FL-A1A. Street parking, beach access and beach parks are available all along A1A.