Cocoa Beach or Melbourne Beach? (Orlando, Cape Canaveral: hotels, vacation, college)

[professorsenator]

Hello Floridians! The wife, kids, and I will be heading to Orlando for some R and R in late March and want to spend a couple of days at the beach.

My question is simple: which is better, Cocoa Beach or Melbourne Beach? What are these two communities like? Which has better beaches? Dining? Hotels? What's the vibe of each community? We're not interested in going to Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space center--just a little fun in the sun. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc.? Also, how warm is it in late March?

Many thanks from a shivering New Englander!

[cmj_fla]

For a vacation I would recommend Cocoa over Melbourne. The beaches are better and there is a lot more things to do for vacationers. I highly recommend this resort: Ron Jon®* Cape Caribe Resort - One of a Kind Resort - Florida Space Coast Vacation. It is a time share but you can also rent the rooms. They will not hassle you about buying if you are just staying as a guest and the facilities are amazing. Hope you have fun!

[Alphaman]

Cocoa hands down!

Melbourne is nice but a bit slower paced then cocoa.

The weather is usually in the low 80`s and a bit humid in march but not too bad yet.

[iloveflorida]

I love both, but if I had to pick, it would be Melbourne Beach.

[amax41]

Stay in Cocoa, play in both!

[knightgoose]

cocoa is fun, by the pier is more family friendly.....by Coconuts is more of the college age crowd

[ghageman]

Please stay in Cocoa or Canaveral ... please don't come to Melbourne Beach ... way too quiet and unspoiled down here ... way more fun somewhere else.