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| A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life. WAVE Journey is your one stop online resource for women oriented businesses and services around the world. Cocoa Beach, Florida: The Sweet Beach Escape ~ continued Enjoying the sun, sand and adventures of Cocoa Beach – only one hour from Orlando Article by Alicia Bowers |
| WAVE Journey |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
Upon exiting the mangroves, wide expanses of water offer views of nearby sailboats as well as
local fishermen out for their daily catch. A breeze continually blows across the ocean waters,
misting boaters with invisible salt. The brackish water in the Thousand Islands is a mix of fresh
water coming from the land and meeting the ocean water flowing in. Both plants and animals in
the region have adapted to the brackish water – from the red, silver and black mangroves to the
Indian River Lagoon Bottlenose dolphins. And, both serious birders and those just out to get close
to nature can enjoy the birds ranging from the “Snake Bird” Anhinga, bobbing its head above the
waterline, to the Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Osprey.
local fishermen out for their daily catch. A breeze continually blows across the ocean waters,
misting boaters with invisible salt. The brackish water in the Thousand Islands is a mix of fresh
water coming from the land and meeting the ocean water flowing in. Both plants and animals in
the region have adapted to the brackish water – from the red, silver and black mangroves to the
Indian River Lagoon Bottlenose dolphins. And, both serious birders and those just out to get close
to nature can enjoy the birds ranging from the “Snake Bird” Anhinga, bobbing its head above the
waterline, to the Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Osprey.
Be sure to take note of the Florida brown pelicans
as well. (place Pelican photo here) These hungry
birds love to take advantage of dolphins feeding in
the waterways. The dolphins herd fish – sometimes
against concrete supports along the water – for
their own meal but also act as waiters, bringing the
fish to the impatiently waiting pelicans. Want to see
a dolphin? Watch the pelicans sitting along the
water, explained our guide Cinnamon.
as well. (place Pelican photo here) These hungry
birds love to take advantage of dolphins feeding in
the waterways. The dolphins herd fish – sometimes
against concrete supports along the water – for
their own meal but also act as waiters, bringing the
fish to the impatiently waiting pelicans. Want to see
a dolphin? Watch the pelicans sitting along the
water, explained our guide Cinnamon.
Unlike Atlantic dolphins, the Indian River Bottlenose dolphins found near Cocoa Beach usually
travel by themselves or with only one other dolphin. These dolphins are territorial – possibly
because of the competition for food in the Thousand Islands waterways. Living year round at
Cocoa Beach, the dolphins appear with a dark gray fin rising out of the water.
travel by themselves or with only one other dolphin. These dolphins are territorial – possibly
because of the competition for food in the Thousand Islands waterways. Living year round at
Cocoa Beach, the dolphins appear with a dark gray fin rising out of the water.
Upon first sighting
movement, visitors
usually aren’t quite
sure what they saw -
saying, “I thought I
saw something over
there” only to be
rewarded for looking
again by seeing the
dolphin arching up and
back into the water.
movement, visitors
usually aren’t quite
sure what they saw -
saying, “I thought I
saw something over
there” only to be
rewarded for looking
again by seeing the
dolphin arching up and
back into the water.
Spot one that has a youngster, and you might hear a slap of their tail each time they go back into
the water, providing some firm guidance that the youngster should follow – which is an even more
special sighting.
While easy to spot at Cocoa Beach, dolphins are said to bring luck – and every traveler that spots
the graceful dolphins will feel lucky to have witnessed these new friends. They also have the right
idea about what’s tasty for lunch – with fresh fish in abundance in Cocoa Beach.
the water, providing some firm guidance that the youngster should follow – which is an even more
special sighting.
While easy to spot at Cocoa Beach, dolphins are said to bring luck – and every traveler that spots
the graceful dolphins will feel lucky to have witnessed these new friends. They also have the right
idea about what’s tasty for lunch – with fresh fish in abundance in Cocoa Beach.
A Wish for Fish
After a morning of paddling – and observing the hungry birds and dolphins feeding on fish – lunch
at Coconuts on the Beach at Minutemen Causeway allows travelers to continue enjoying the
sunshine with oceanside dining that includes fresh seafood. The food tastes particularly good
following a morning of ocean breezes and paddling exercise. Order the crabcake sandwich – or
the grilled chicken sandwich for those preferring an alternative to seafood. In the evenings and
weekends, the patio rocks with the sounds of music from both modern and oldies bands. Arrive
early to ensure getting a table – and keep in mind that service gets spotty as the crowd grows.
For afternoon fun, drive ten minutes back up the coast to the local Ron Jon – to rent a boogie
board and get out on the beach. The waves at Cocoa Beach provide the perfect lift and ride for
boogie boards without requiring any surfing skills. If coming in January or February, bring or rent
a short-leg wet suit for keeping warm in the water.
No matter what time of year, sweeten up your next trip to Orlando with a side trip to Cocoa
Beach – with its sand, water sports and natural treasures just a short hour away.
After a morning of paddling – and observing the hungry birds and dolphins feeding on fish – lunch
at Coconuts on the Beach at Minutemen Causeway allows travelers to continue enjoying the
sunshine with oceanside dining that includes fresh seafood. The food tastes particularly good
following a morning of ocean breezes and paddling exercise. Order the crabcake sandwich – or
the grilled chicken sandwich for those preferring an alternative to seafood. In the evenings and
weekends, the patio rocks with the sounds of music from both modern and oldies bands. Arrive
early to ensure getting a table – and keep in mind that service gets spotty as the crowd grows.
For afternoon fun, drive ten minutes back up the coast to the local Ron Jon – to rent a boogie
board and get out on the beach. The waves at Cocoa Beach provide the perfect lift and ride for
boogie boards without requiring any surfing skills. If coming in January or February, bring or rent
a short-leg wet suit for keeping warm in the water.
No matter what time of year, sweeten up your next trip to Orlando with a side trip to Cocoa
Beach – with its sand, water sports and natural treasures just a short hour away.
For Further Information, Contact:
www.cocoabeach.com
www.space-coast.com
Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce
www.cocoabeachchamber.com
400 Fortenberry Rd.
Merritt Island, FL 32952
Tel: 312-459-2200
www.cocoabeach.com
www.space-coast.com
Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce
www.cocoabeachchamber.com
400 Fortenberry Rd.
Merritt Island, FL 32952
Tel: 312-459-2200
BIO:
Alicia Bowers is a communicator with a Fortune 50 company and
resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has traveled frequently for
business – with more trips to Orlando than she would like to count.
Her work has been published extensively in global trade magazines,
usually on technical topics. She balances life with her small children
with full-time work, encouraging all working moms to take some
personal time now and then during their business travels.
She can be reached at: bowers_alicia@hotmail.com.
Alicia Bowers is a communicator with a Fortune 50 company and
resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has traveled frequently for
business – with more trips to Orlando than she would like to count.
Her work has been published extensively in global trade magazines,
usually on technical topics. She balances life with her small children
with full-time work, encouraging all working moms to take some
personal time now and then during their business travels.
She can be reached at: bowers_alicia@hotmail.com.