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

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons. 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Cocoa Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Cocoa Beach is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Cocoa Beach is well known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Both Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Simons makes for a great culinary experience. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Cocoa Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons both offer superb 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.

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

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

Saint Simons offers some nice hiking trails. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

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 Saint Simons More Beautiful?

Saint Simons is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cocoa Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons are notable when it comes to 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.

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this relaxing beach town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Saint Simons?

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Saint Simons?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this fun-filled destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Because Saint Simons is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Saint Simons?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Since Saint Simons is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons, 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 Saint Simons?

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 Saint Simons in the Summer?

Both Saint Simons and Cocoa Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Saint Simons. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Simons 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 a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Saint Simons. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Saint Simons. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Saint Simons. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Simons in the Spring?

Both Saint Simons and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Simons. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Cocoa Beach