A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Jekyll Island for Families, Attractions, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

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 Jekyll Island. 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 adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. It's also popular because of the museums, beaches, and hiking. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Jekyll Island are popular destinations, Cocoa Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its hiking. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also well known for the Kennedy Space Center. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cocoa Beach. 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.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its resorts.

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.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach and Jekyll Island both offer very good beaches.

Many people visit Cocoa Beach for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. 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.

Jekyll Island is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Cocoa Beach has some 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 limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. 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.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable beach town. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

It's fun to spend time in either Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-4 days is enough time in Jekyll Island.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Jekyll Island. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cocoa Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the relaxing island of Jekyll Island. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Jekyll Island?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Jekyll Island. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Cocoa Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The relaxing island of Jekyll Island offers museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

You'll find food and shopping around the beach town of Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Jekyll Island. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Jekyll Island, we can see that Jekyll Island is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Jekyll Island Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island in the Summer?

Both Jekyll Island and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

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

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

Both Jekyll Island and Cocoa Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Jekyll Island averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Jekyll Island. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Jekyll Island. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Jekyll Island. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the spring for the beaches.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Jekyll Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Jekyll Island. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Cocoa Beach