Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is a beloved Florida landmark stretching over the Atlantic, offering surf culture, fresh seafood, and sweeping ocean views.
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier has been a fixture of Florida's Space Coast since the 1960s, evolving from a simple fishing structure into a full-fledged oceanfront destination that captures the relaxed, sun-soaked spirit of Cocoa Beach. Stretching roughly 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the pier offers visitors a rare vantage point above the surf, where you can watch waves form and break from above while dolphins occasionally pass through the shallows below. The pier complex includes several dining options ranging from casual beachside bars to sit-down seafood restaurants, all with open-air seating that places the ocean directly in your sightline.
Anglers gather here year-round, targeting species like pompano, redfish, and Spanish mackerel from the pier's far sections, which extend well beyond the breaking waves. The surrounding beach is part of a stretch long associated with American surf culture, and the area retains that identity through surf shops, board rentals, and a community of locals who have been riding these waves for generations.
Families, solo travelers, and groups all find their rhythm here, whether spending an afternoon fishing, lingering over a plate of shrimp, or simply sitting on a bench and watching the Atlantic move. Its location near Kennedy Space Center adds a layer of regional character that sets Cocoa Beach apart from other Florida beach towns. Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier distills all of that into one walkable, unhurried stretch of wood and ocean air, making it a genuinely worthwhile stop on Florida's Atlantic coast.
Visit during early morning hours to watch surfers catch the cleanest breaks before the beach crowds arrive.
Try the fresh catch of the day at one of the pier's oceanfront restaurants, where the seafood is sourced locally.
Bring a fishing rod and a Florida saltwater fishing license if you plan to cast a line from the pier's far end.
Walk the full length of the pier at sunset for unobstructed views of the Atlantic horizon, away from the busier shore-side activity.
Check the local surf forecast before your visit, as the pier's position along the Space Coast makes it a reliable spot for watching skilled surfers during swells.
Paddle at dusk to spot playful dolphins and glowing comb jellies on Cocoa Beach waters
Learn stand up paddleboarding with on-water instruction and extra board time
Clear-kayak sunset paddle with seasonal bioluminescence
Sail the Indian River Lagoon on a private catamaran with drinks and snacks
Unwind as the sun sets over the Indian River and look for dolphins on a relaxing 2-hour catamaran cruise