AMBIENCE

Thundering rockets, crashing surf, and the total peace of an empty beach come together in the Port Canaveral area. You won’t find built-up beach resorts like Daytona or Fort Lauderdale here, though crowds do rise for launches. There are just a relative handful of hotels and beachfront condos—so quiet that this is where endangered sea turtles choose to nest! Whether you unwind here prior to your cruise or wind up your vacation with a visit to the astronauts, this can easily be one of the best ports you ever visit.

GETTING AROUND

You’ll either want to drive your own car or rent a car to get around (taxis are not abundant). The Space Coast region stretches from Titusville in the north to Melbourne in the south (see map on 356). I-95 runs north/south on the mainland, paralleled by U.S. 1 for local driving. Many attractions are on the barrier islands to the east, across the Banana and Indian Rivers, and the Intercoastal Waterway. SR A1A is the principal route for beach access. Commercial airlines serve Melbourne International Airport and Orlando International. Port Canaveral is just south of Kennedy Space Center, and Cocoa Beach is immediately south of Port Canaveral, roughly halfway between Titusville and Melbourne. See chapter 2, starting on 84, for full details on travel to and from Port Canaveral and the Disney Cruise Terminal.

FACTS