Best 15 Things To Do in Port Canaveral Before a Cruise

Things to do near port canaveral cruise terminal include Parasail. It is the best option to soak in the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean from the air.

The excursion has US Coast Guard-licensed captains to take you over 800 feet. The trip takes 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Individuals aged 5-17 need an adult to sign them. They have had no accidents in the history of two decades.

• Location: Cocoa Beach next to Grills Restaurant (0.2 miles away)
• Cost: $75 USD
• Pre-booking: No
• Time: 9 am to 5 pm

What to do near port canaveral? You can keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at Manatee Sanctuary Park.

The park is spread over 10 acres of land along the Banana River. Families can enjoy workout stations and go for a picnic arranged with pavillions and grill spots.

The protected manatee habitats are the star of the show. The water mammals are large yet slow-moving animals with paddle shaped tails.

• Location: 701 Thurm Blvd, Cape Canaveral (1.2 miles)
• Cost: Fee Entry
• Time: 8 am - Sunset

Things to do in port Canaveral cruise port include shopping at Cove Marketplace. The waterfront area has several boutiques and shop lines.

The marketplace is village styled so locally made arts and crafts are available there. Local performers showcase their talents to the community.

• Location: Glen Cheek Dr, Port Canaveral (1 mile away)
• Cost: Free Entry
• Time: 11 am to 5 pm

Sands Space History Center was formerly called The Air Force Space and Missile History Center.

Cape Canaveral museum list includes the Wizard of Oz Museum and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

It has restored the history of rocketry and space flight. You can see real missiles, rockets, and both hardware and the spirit of the US ventures into space.

• Location: 100 Spaceport Way, Cape Canaveral (3.8 miles away)
• Cost: Free Entry
• Time:9 am to 5 pm

The helicopter ride is one of the best things to do in Port Canaveral area. Participants can fly over the Atlantic Ocean and watch classic landmarks.

Who would not like to watch views from above? Cocoa Beach Helicopters provide that service, taking you to see Cape Canaveral and the Space Coast from the air.

The adrenaline-fueled thrill ride is a family-friendly option that covers the most exciting views in the area.

• Location: 673 Dave Nisbet Dr, Port Canaveral (6 miles away)
• Cost: Starting at $19.99 per person
• Pre-booking: Yes
• Time: 9 am to 6 pm

For riding through scenic Banana River Cocoa Beach jet ski rentals provides the nearest skiing service.

The watercraft can give the best thrilling adventure in the Atlantic Ocean. Individuals aged below 18 need an adult's consent to take a ride.

• Location: 1872 E Merritt Island Causeway Merritt Island (10 miles away)
• Cost: $99 per hour
• Pre-booking: No
• Time: 7 am to 5 pm

Aerial adventures at Cocoa Beach can give you trills with dozens of challenging obstacles. 

Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures has 7 different trails categorized into 3 different levels. Rope course and zip lines can test your problem solving ability.

The participant will be in the air on 45-foot poles that navigate through 48 challenges in Oak trees.

• Location: 6419 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral (3 miles away)
• Cost: $58.00 USD through Viator
• Pre-booking: Yes
• Time: 9: 30 am to 7:30 pm

The historic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962 by Richard Stottler. It was made with over 2.5 miles of boardwalk planks and 270 pilings and reached 800 feet.

David Siegel and Jim Gissy are the owners of the site. They have spent more than $4 million to make the place family-friendly.

The site is also popular for fundraising and social events.

• Location: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach (3.5 miles away)
• Cost: Free Entry
• Time: 6 am to 9 pm

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries. It is one of the oldest works of architecture in Brevard Country.

The 151 feet tall lighthouse can give you spectacular views of Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral, and beyond.

Its history dates back to 1848 when it was established to warn ships of dangerous shoals. It is managed by the Space Launch Delta 45 of the US Space Force.

• Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (1 miles away)
• Cost: Free Entry
• Time: 8 am to 6 pm

Coconuts on the Beach, Squid Lips, and Longboards Tiki Beach Grille are among the best restaurants in cocoa beach.

The waterfront ambiances provide a variety of seafood options. Coconuts On The Beach offers certified Angus beef and several pasta dishes.

Their local cuisine Tropical Acai Bowl is packed with a blend of fruits. Gold Coast Wrap is made with oranges and walnuts complimenting the ginger turmeric sauce on the side.

Cost: Depends on food and restaurant

What to do in port canaveral after cruise? You can go for a beer tasting at Florida Beer Company.

The tasting comprises a package of 4 flight samplers and a souvenir class. The participant is scheduled with bartenders at the Tap Room of 5,000 sq ft.

There are 28 unique taps and more than 25 types of original beers and ciders. They are honored with North American Beer Awards and Australian International Beer Awards.

• Location: 200 Imperial Blvd, Cape Florida Beer Company (3 miles away)
• Cost: Starting from $10
• Pre-booking: Yes
• Time: Mon to Weds 1-9 pm, Thurs to Sat 1-10 pm, Sun 1-8 pm

Grand Prix Karting at Beachside Grand Prix is a fun sport. Participants can spend time with friends or family doing an easy activity full of adrenaline.

Friendly racing competitions in customized tracks can be a realistic racing experience.

Broadway Grand Prix has 7 go-kart tracks and 2 mini golf courses. They have two 18-hole courses in Swamp Cave and Gator Mountain.

• Location: 6355 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral (3 miles away)
• Cost: Starting at $16.99 per race
• Pre-booking: Yes
• Time: 10 am to 10 pm

Cocoa beach bioluminescence season is in July and September. The sea creatures glow brighter when the moonlight is less.

In the summer months, the Indian and Banana Rivers glow in bioluminescence. It also occurs in the Thousand Islands and Canaveral National Seashore.

The area has two types of bioluminescence; one lies in cooler months when Bioluminescent Comb-Jellyfish lighten up the sea. Another one is in warmer months seawater illuminates with millions of tiny plankton.

Cocoa Kayaking provides the booking from the start of the new moon.

• Location: Kiwanis Island (8 miles away)
• Cost: $75 USD
• Pre-booking: Yes
• Time: 9 am to 5 pm

The best Orlando Theme Parks are Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios, and Universal Studios.

Universal Studios is loaded with movies and television cartoons. You can play with yellow minions from Despicable Me and Bart Simpson.

Walt Disney has four parks: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Volcanic Bay of Universal Studios Resorts is a 200-foot-tall artificial volcano. Epcot has a Spaceship Earth ride that explores technological advances.

The cheapest Orlando theme park is Fun Sports America which costs $112 per day. The most expensive theme park in the world is Busch Gardens.

Exploration Tower was built in 2013 by GWWO Architects. It offers stunning views of its surroundings with indoor exhibition spaces.

The architecture seems like some tall hotel in Dubai, but it is a 7 floored cruise look-alike building. It is owned by Canaveral Port Authority.

The landmark combines views of cruise ships and waterways. The building has a recreations theater, cafes, restaurants, and gift shops.

• Location: 670 Dave Nisbet Dr, Cape Canaveral (0.3 miles away)
• Cost: $6.50 USD
• Pre-booking: No
• Time: 10:00 am to 5 pm