Planning a Cruise With Children in Florida? Don’t Skip a Stay in Port Canaveral. Here’s Why:

If you’re cruising in or out of Port Canaveral, welcome to the island! Whether you’re getting on or off your ship, don’t make the mistake of rushing past the good stuff. Port Canaveral is just five minutes from Cocoa Beach, and it's the perfect spot to extend your vacation with your kids.

Too many people treat Port Canaveral as a quick pit stop, but this area is packed with fun, nature, and family-friendly activities. Don’t just hop off the boat and drive back to the airport. Give yourself a beach day or two.

Trust me, your kids (and your sanity) will thank you.

🏨 So Many Family-Friendly Hotels in Port Canaveral

You don’t have to go far to find a great place to stay. Port Canaveral has tons of hotels perfect for families, many just minutes from the cruise terminal. Some even offer shuttles to and from your ship.

🏖️ Cocoa Beach: Is More Than Just a Stopover

Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, but sometimes they feel like a marathon. Between packing, driving, and sticking to a tight cruise itinerary, it can feel like go-go-go from the moment you leave home.

Cocoa Beach has miles of coastline and plenty of room to breathe before or after your cruise.

Spending a day (or two) in Cocoa Beach is the exact opposite of all that. We don’t do rushing or tight schedules on the island.

🐟 Beach Wildlife Is Just Steps From Your Hotel

If you’re staying in a hotel right on the beach, your kids might get their first wildlife sighting before you’ve even had breakfast. Look out at the water, and you’ll see large brown pelicans flying in formation, just skimming the waves. It’s the kind of sight that sticks with you.

Down in the sand, your kids can find tiny creatures called sand fleas—little beach crabs that love to burrow at the water’s edge.

And when the tide comes in? You’ll see schools of silver fish darting through the surf.

Bring a bucket and let your kids collect and gently release beachside creatures.

The Perfect Family Day Before or After Your Cruise:

1. Sleep in (for once!)

2. Grab breakfast at the hotel or nearby at Sunrise Diner, Cafe Surfistina, 4th Street Filling Station, or Whisk & Grind.

3. Spend the day on Cocoa Beach building sandcastles and watching for wildlife

4. Book a 1 or 2 hour kids fishing session right on the beach with Cocoa Beach Kids Fishing

5. Check the launch schedule (you might just see a rocket fly into space!)

6. End the day with ice cream, beach walks, and tired, happy kids