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The best family beaches in Cocoa Beach are Lori Wilson Park, Alan Shepard Park, Sidney Fischer Park and Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park, and Lori Wilson is the easiest with young kids. It has a dune boardwalk, a playground, restrooms and showers, free parking, and a city lifeguard tower staffed every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alan Shepard Park puts you next to the pier and its restaurants, Sidney Fischer is quieter with shaded picnic pavilions, and Murkshe is the one to try when everything else is full. On a beach day with kids we care about the walk from the car and how close the bathroom is. Below you will find what each park has, which ones charge for parking, and which have lifeguards.
| Beach Name | Key Amenity | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|
| Lori Wilson Park | Playground | View Details → |
| Alan Shepard Park | Picnic Tables | View Details → |
| Sidney Fischer Park | Picnic Pavilions | View Details → |
| Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park | Boardwalk | View Details → |
Lori Wilson Park
Lori Wilson Park is our first choice with small kids. It has a boardwalk through the dunes, wide sand, and a lifeguard tower staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (City of Cocoa Beach).
- The Beach: A wide, clean shoreline for sandcastles, with the tower staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (City of Cocoa Beach).
- Key Amenities: Restrooms, showers and a playground on site.
- Tip: The lot is free. Arrive before 10 AM for a space near the boardwalk.
Good to know: Locals love it, and it fills on sunny weekend afternoons.
Alan Shepard Park
Alan Shepard Park is the choice if you want food close by. It sits next to the Cocoa Beach Pier, so there is always something going on.
- The Beach: The surf is lively, better for wave-jumping with older kids than for toddlers.
- Key Amenities: Picnic tables and showers, with the pier restaurants a short walk away.
- Tip: Bring a wagon. Parking is close, but it still saves trips.
Good to know: Parking is paid at machines, so have a card ready.
Sidney Fischer Park
Sidney Fischer Park is the quieter option, with room to spread out.
- The Beach: Less crowded than the beaches by the pier.
- Key Amenities: Picnic pavilions with shade for lunch.
- Tip: Bring a cooler and eat under a pavilion, out of the sun.
Good to know: There is no food for sale at the beach, so pack drinks and snacks.
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
This park is for families who want to escape the hustle and bustle. It is not on the city’s list of lifeguard towers (City of Cocoa Beach), so an adult stays in the water with the children.
- Key Amenities: A boardwalk that is easy to push a stroller along.
- Tip: Parking is usually easier to find here, which makes it a good fallback on busy days.
Good to know: There is a daily parking fee.
FAQs About Family Beaches in Cocoa Beach
Are these beaches safe for toddlers?
The city staffs lifeguard towers daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alan Shepard Park and Lori Wilson Park, among others (City of Cocoa Beach). Pick one of those with a toddler, stay in front of the tower, and keep a hand within reach, because currents change quickly.
Is parking difficult at these family beaches in Cocoa Beach?
It can be, on weekends and holidays. Arrive before 10 AM to park near an access.
Do I need to bring my own shade?
Yes. Some parks have picnic pavilions, but the beach itself has no shade. Bring a pop-up tent or an umbrella.
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