A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Duck for Beaches, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Duck. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and adventurous beach town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Duck

Duck is a charming, laid-back, and traditional beach town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Duck attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Duck travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Duck: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Both Duck and Cocoa Beach have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cocoa Beach is better known for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife, while Duck is more popular for its beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cocoa Beach is well known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Duck is well known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Duck?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Duck and Cocoa Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Cocoa Beach offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Duck? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cocoa Beach makes for a great culinary experience. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

Duck has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Duck. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Resorts?

There are notable resorts to choose from in both Cocoa Beach and Duck.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Duck has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Beaches?

Duck is very popular for the beach. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Duck offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Hiking?

Duck is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Duck offers some nice hiking trails. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Duck is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Duck. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck More Beautiful?

Duck is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Duck attracts visitors from all around. Beautiful sandy beaches and family-friendly parks offer a beautiful and relaxed beach vacation.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Duck is very family-friendly. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach and Duck both superb destinations for a couple.

Cocoa Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Couples visit Duck frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Duck is not a good beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Cocoa Beach has a few public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is mostly limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

Is Cocoa Beach or Duck a more walkable city?

Duck is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Duck. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Duck Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Duck or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Both Cocoa Beach and Duck have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Duck than in Cocoa Beach. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 5-7 days is enough time in Duck.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Duck. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cocoa Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Duck if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Cocoa Beach. This beach town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Duck?

The relaxing beach town of Cocoa Beach offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Duck, we can see that Duck is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck than you might in Cocoa Beach.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Duck Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Duck, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach or Duck?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Duck in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Duck. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Duck. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Duck averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Duck. Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Duck. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Duck in the Autumn?

Both Duck and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Duck in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Duck. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Duck fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Duck. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Duck in the Winter?

Both Duck and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Duck for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Duck can be very cold during winter. Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Duck in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Duck fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Duck. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Duck in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Duck. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Duck. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Duck averages at about 59°F (15°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Duck. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Duck and Cocoa Beach