Discover out of this world family beach holidays on Florida’s Space Coast

Florida’s Space Coast family holidays give you amazing beaches, America’s top visitor attraction, wildlife wonders and sweet seaside towns, all less than an hour from Orlando’s theme parks.

There’s always more space on Florida’s Space Coast beaches

Nobody’s going to deny that theme parks are fun, but we love Florida’s Space Coast because you can easily have all that fun as part of an incredible beach holiday. Orlando is only 45 minutes away, so you can go road-tripping if you want to on Florida’s Space Coast family holidays, or you can keep the driving to a minimum.

We mentioned ‘America’s top visitor attraction’ earlier, and that’s the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which is number one in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards and also gives Florida’s Space Coast its name. So you might be surprised to find that this is still one of the least busy coasts, with uncrowded beaches and acres of pristine nature to explore, in peace: not for nothing do manatees, dolphins and sea turtles love it here.

Plus, from March to November 2026, TUI flies direct from several UK airports – including London Gatwick and Glasgow International – to Melbourne Orlando International Airport on Florida’s Space Coast. Flying time is shorter than to Orlando, and the airport is significantly quieter: big advantage when you’re travelling with kids.

It’s beach weather year-round on Florida’s Space Coast family holidays

Enjoy the closest beaches to theme parks on Florida’s Space Coast family holidays

Florida’s Space Coast is so close to Orlando, it’s like a twin-centre holiday, only without any effort. But the idea of having a beach holiday along with theme park thrills gets even more tempting when you get to know Florida’s Space Coast beaches better.

Famous for its almost weekly rocket launches, Space Coast is a little less known as a beach destination, the upside of that for families is fewer crowds. And there is no downside. The beaches are as beautiful as you’d expect on Florida’s Atlantic Coast: shimmering white sands as far as the eye can see, and clear, clean waters. Though it’s not entirely a secret: serious surfers know and love it here. However, it is just secret enough to be a breath of fresh air, especially mixed in with your theme park plans.

Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Orlando

Cocoa Beach is officially the closest beach to Orlando, it’s also one of the most fun Space Coast beaches for families, and packed with activities. It’s the perfect place for first time surf lessons or if you want to introduce kids to the Florida fishing tradition. Turtles nest here too, which gives you an idea of the general atmosphere: calm, laid back, low on crowds. Younger children can’t get enough of the soft sand, you can even pick up sandcastle building kits at the local shops. Lifeguards make sure you know when and where it’s safe to swim. And when you’re hungry, the beachside is trimmed with restaurants, or you have the best excuse to hit Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, a classic Florida spot for places to eat, Tiki Bars, shopping and stunning sunsets.

72 miles of beaches to explore with kids

Alternatively, point your little beach lovers south for a very different seaside experience on Melbourne Beach.  If you like looking at beautiful oceanfront houses, you’ll find them here, along with a few good restaurants and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the peace. Should you want to stretch your horizons a little, you can access Indian River Lagoon from Melbourne Beach: great spot for kayaking.

Cape Canaveral National Seashore is another beach that redefines the word ‘pristine’. In fact, few shores are more untouched anywhere in Florida than this flawless stretch of coast, which also happens to be an excellent place to see rocket launches.

But for chill surf town vibes, cute restaurants and the type of laid back vibe that is very Space Coast, you shouldn’t miss Satellite Beach: teenagers will particularly like this one.

Or head to the southernmost part of Florida’s Space Coast for the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge: this enormous beach is one of the most important loggerhead nesting sites in the US, and to say it’s uncrowded is an understatement.

Low impact kayaking is one of the best ways to spot wildlife

Florida’s Space Coast family holidays are the ones for wildlife

Florida’s Space Coast is one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting areas. Between March and October every year, 1000s of turtles return to the beaches here to lay their eggs and making sure that conditions are perfect for them is a matter of extreme local pride.

If you want to witness this natural miracle, there are several excellent guided tours that let you safely turtle watch on the Space Coast. You’re going to have a lot of unforgettable experiences in this part of Florida, but this one could top the list for kids.

Meet manatees and discover dolphins

During the winter and early spring (from November to April) is the best time to see manatees on Space Coast family holidays. We know from personal experience that spotting these adorable Florida natives is thrilling for children, but of course touching or bothering them isn’t allowed. But amazing guided kayaking tours get you up close to manatees in their natural habitat without disrupting their peace. Plus, you have the added bonus of experts in charge, so it’s learning disguised as fun for kids.

All year round is the best time to spot Dolphins on Space Coast family holidays, which is very good news because kids unanimously agree that no creature is more exciting to see in the wild. Although you can catch sight of dolphins all along the coast, guided kayaking tours or boat tours of Indian River Lagoon get you up closest to them. Book tours for early morning or evening (dolphin feeding time) and you’re practically guarantee sightings, just watch the water, and wait.

Catch an airboat to spot alligators

Seeing the American Alligator in the wild is another thrill you can experience safely on a Space Coast family holiday. Like dolphins these permanent local residents can be spotted at any time of year, and they’re pretty ubiquitous, but if you want to keep a sensible distance and still be amazed, book an airboat tour. Not only is this easily the most iconic Florida adventure, it’s another fun one where expert guides weave learning into the mix and few animals are more fascinating than the practically prehistoric alligator in its natural habitat.

Rocket launches, Florida’s Space Coast family holidays

Pristine nature is the theme in Florida’s Space Coast parks

You won’t find rollercoasters on Space Coast, but that’s not to say it’s short on parks with themes that kids will love as much (in a different way) as Orlando’s. Think wildlife sanctuaries and barrier island parks, natural parks created round beaches and even parks where you can see the biggest thrills of all: almost weekly rocket launches.

Visit Chain of Lakes Park in Titusville to explore mile-upon-mile of wetlands and lakes connected by walking bridges and well-marked hiking trails. Don’t miss the observation tower, it’s great fun.

Another incredible natural park with an observation tower, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands is one of the coast’s most popular birding areas. It’s also famous for wildflowers which attract clouds of butterflies in summer.

Catch a glimpse of anything from tarpon and turtles to dolphins and manatees at Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay. This is a great park for kayaking the creek itself or taking a walking tour with kids. And the on-site nature centre adds another fun learning experience for families.

Directly across from the launch pads, Space View Park delivers stunning coastal views as well as regular eyefuls of rocket launches. It’s also the only US park that celebrates astronauts and the people who lead US space exploration, so you get a good slice of history here too.

READ MORE: Plan an amazing family trip to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex