Active Pursuits in Cocoa Beach

Eco-Tours on the Space Coast

Wildside Tours (tel. 321/799-5495) offers a superb, two-hour eco-tour through the Thousand Island nature preserve and the Banana Lagoon on a quiet motor catamaran where you’ll see manatee, dolphin, birds, and more. They provide binoculars, soft drinks, and water. Tickets are $40 ages 13 to 59, $35 for seniors 60 and older, and $30 for kids 12 and under.

Space Coast Eco Tours (tel. 321/326-4326), offer private guided and narrated tours of the Indian River lagoon, where you’ll see manatee, osprey, dolphin, and alligators. They also do sunset tours, and the very cool bioluminescence tours, all on a luxe pontoon complete with LED lighting, Bluetooth surround sound, and changing area. Prices range from $40 and up.

Fishing on the Space Coast

Head to Port Canaveral for catches such as snapper and grouper. Jetty Park, at the south entry to the port, has a fishing pier equipped with a bait shop. The south bank of the port is lined with charter boats. Deep sea fishing is available on Canaveral Princess (tel. 321/783-5274, see above), one of the party boats based here. All-day, nine-hour voyages departing daily at 8am cost $100 adults, $80 kids 15 and under; all trips include breakfast, lunch, soda, fishing gear and license and parking.

Golf on the Space Coast

The municipal Cocoa Beach Country Club, 500 Tom Warringer Blvd. (tel. 321/868-3351), has 27 holes of golf and 12 tennis courts—two clay, 10 hard (8 lit)—set on acres of natural woodlands, rivers, and lakes. Greens fees (including cart) are $18 to $70 depending on the time and season.

On Merritt Island south of the Kennedy Space Center, The Savannahs Golf Club, 3915 Savannahs Trail (tel. 321/848-0582;), has 18 holes over 6,450 yards bordered by hardwood forests, lakes, and savannas inhabited by a host of wildlife. You’ll have to hit over a lake to reach the 7th hole. Fees with a cart are about $18 to $55 and free for juniors 15 and under with a paying adult.

The best nearby course is the Gary Player–designed Baytree National Golf Club, 8207 National Dr., a half-mile east of I-95 in Melbourne (tel. 321/259-9060), where challenging marshy holes are flanked by towering palms. This par-72 course has 7,043 yards with a red-shale waste area. Fees are $35 to $69 depending on the time and season, including cart.

Kayaking on the Space Coast of Florida

For those who want to see Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge at night, A Day Away Kayak Tours (tel. 321/268-2655) offers guided bioluminescent trips—meaning besides the moon, the only light you’ll see on this fabulous tour is that of tiny, illuminated creatures swirling beneath the surface of the water and providing a lanternlike pathway across the water—through the Refuge, Thursday through Monday nights, June through September. There are two types of tours—one in a regular kayak and the other in a clear kayak, which is like a glass-bottom boat. Both last 90 minutes. Cost is $55 for the regular, $75 for the clear. Book early and don’t forget the mosquito repellent!

Surfing on the Space Coast

Rip through some occasionally awesome waves (by Florida’s standards, not California’s or Hawaii’s) at the Cocoa Beach Pier area or down south at Sebastian Inlet. Get outfitted at Ron Jon Surf Shop, 4151 N. Atlantic Ave. (tel. 321/799-8888), and then learn how to hang five or ten with Ron Jon Surf School, 150 E. Columbia Lane (tel. 321/868-1980). The school offers equipment and lessons for beginners and pros at area beaches. Be sure to bring along a towel, flip-flops, sunscreen, and a lot of nerve. Rates range from $65 to $90 per person for private lessons and $50 to $70 per person for group lessons.