Before the town of Cocoa Beach was established on June 5, 1925, it was known as Oceanus. Cars would race up and down the beach at up to 180 mph calling it “the world’s greatest speedway.”

In 1962, 75,000 spectators came to Cocoa Beach to watch as the first American orbited the earth. Around this same time, the Cocoa Beach Pier was built.

The Pier was originally known as the Canaveral Pier and stretches more than 800 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean. It has always been a favorite of both locals and tourists, and has changed a lot over the years. In the 60’s, you could drive your car right up onto the Pier itself!

The Pier became a hot spot for surfing, evolving Cocoa Beach into the “Surfing Capital of the East Coast” and home to the 11-time world surf champion Kelly Slater.

In 1963, the original Cocoa Beach Ron Jon Surf Shop opened directly on the Pier and later moved to its present location at SR 520 and A1A due to it’s growing popularity. 

In 1983, the Pier was expanded and opened the award-winning Pier House Restaurant now known as the Atlantic Ocean Grille and has been awarded “Best in Brevard” and “Best Restaurant with a View.”

In 1984, the Pier changed its name from Canaveral Pier to the present Cocoa Beach Pier consisting of four restaurants, five tropical bars, gift shops and boutiques. It now draws more than one million visitors a year and is one of the most historical landmarks on the Space Coast.

For more info on what the Cocoa Beach Pier has to offer, visit CocoaBeachPier.com.

Want to learn more about the Space Coast or check out some properties? Give our team at Florida Lifestyle Realty a call!

Florida Lifestyle Realty

(321)613-5922