Hello! Rentals are $25 for a full day for one umbrella & 2 chairs.

Hi! Enza, Thank you for reaching out. Typically we receive on and off showers. Hope this information helps.

The sharks like the pier area, just beware if you're surfing - body smart. Lifeguards are diligent.

Cocoa Beach is on the outer barrier island just south of the ocean-jutting Cape Canaveral with its U.S. Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center (the most active spaceport on Earth with several launches a month). The main tourist strip along the ocean is dispersed over about six miles along state road A1A, starting at Port Canaveral (the second-largest cruise port in the world, although currently without sailings because of Covid), south to downtown Cocoa Beach. Along that stretch, there are “hot spot” areas that are more active, including the area around the Cocoa Beach Pier, the intersection of SR 520 and A1A, and downtown. North of the Pier, A1A starts to slowly diverge northwest away from the ocean. South of the Pier, A1A closely parallels the waterfront. Each of these areas contain restaurants, attractions, hotels (except downtown) and shops — all walkable. But walking the entire strip would be difficult because of its length. Having a car is helpful, as most places have abundant free parking, but taxis, Uber and a public bus system are available. The #9 bus runs north and south on or near A1A. Having a car is also helpful in reaching some attractions such as the visitors’ center at Kennedy Space Center, airboat rides into the swamps of the upper St. John’s River, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, and the many attractions of the Orlando area including the theme parks. There are at least 200 restaurants within 15 minutes’ drive from the Pier. Besides walking, driving is the best way to get to them, as most have free parking lots. Unique restaurants are much more common than chains. There is a group of restaurants along Glen Cheek Drive at the Port. There are shops all along the strip, including downtown, but clusters tend to be away from the beach. Cocoa Village is back on the mainland about eight miles from the beach (drive or use #4 bus), harking back to the days when the main mode of transport was the packet boats that plied the Intercoastal Waterway. There are enough shops there for a half day of exploring, plus a collection of restaurants. The Viera area south and west of Cocoa Beach has some better shopping but the stores tend to be chains, as are the shops and mall stores along SR 520. Cocoa Beach is only about 45-60 minutes from Orlando’s huge malls, outlet centers, International Drive, and even the Disney Springs area of WDW, but the best way to get there is by your own or a rental car. The Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall are the best and closest and best malls to visit. Downtown Winter Park is also a pleasant area to visit. Hotels are scattered along the strip, but some of the larger resort properties tend to be slightly away from the most active areas. Downtown has no nearby hotels but both the Pier and A1A-SR 520 areas have a few. Also see the TA Cocoa Beach forum for more detail.

There is a La Quinta Inn very close to the pier. Do you have any specific requirements or amenities that are a must? Do you have a budget? How many nights do you need? I know, I’m full of questions, but I’ve learned that those questions help determine the best option for hotels, especially in this strange world we are living in right now. 🙂

I've been to both beaches. This time of year Clearwater on the gulf side is going to be warmer. Next week as long as its not spring break Clearwater will be great. It's overrun during spring break though and too busy. Coco beach is an excellent, clean beach with plenty of access and free parking near Ron Jon Surf shop. Either place will be a joy but from personal experience the water is always warmer on the gulf side. And because its warmer there are different varieties of shells that wash up on shore than coco beach. They are not as damaged as the water might be a bit more rough at Coco. Best to you and travel safe.