Surf: Cocoa Beach is home to Kelly Slater and the biggest ‘surf shop’ in the world. This is quite surprising due to the lack of quality waves here. Cape Canaveral shields the best of the N and a long, gently-sloping sand shelf cuts the power. Cocoa Beach Pier, formerly known as Canaveral Pier, is the best bet on SE wind chop or a big nor’easter. Higher tides will produce longer rides with reforms on the inside. Environment: The main hazard is trying to score waves if Kelly Slater and his mates are out. That’s if you can find a parking spot, which always costs something. Surf: General: Known previously as Canaveral Pier and now as Cocoa Beach Pier, this cradle of East Coast professional surfing made its name in the '60s and remains a longboard haven supported by the regular crew drawn to its long, crumbly lines in between the many surf contests that run here every year. Chances are you won't get barreled at Cocoa Beach Pier, since it's typically top-to-middle at best. However, like most of Cocoa Beach, the Pier remains a great place to score waves at high tide, when South Brevard's more critical breaks can doze for hours. More importantly, the Pier offers surfers the only wind shelter between Sebastian Inlet and Jetty Park. Tides: Low to mid tide; High tide sometimes okay here Size: Thigh-1' overhead Wind: W for offshores; Cape to the north can act as a block on N/NE winds Swell: ENE-E-ESE; Big NE swell also can be good Bottom: Sand Paddling: Easy but can get more challenging on bigger days. Spot Rating: Good spot for beginners and newer surfers. There is a lot of surf history here, take some time to learn it and get the full experience. Access: Plenty of easy parking, but you have to pay for the main lot. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Can get crowded but it is spread out. Local Vibe: Pretty mellow overall. Environment: Can get murky with tons of large boat traffic in and out of Port Canaveral. This is a cruise ship port. Hazards: Pier pilings, discarded mini cocktail umbrellas, heckling from people on the pier. Season: Fall-Spring, Hurricane