Cruising into Port Canaveral

Although Port Canaveral is a homeport for many cruise lines, it is also a port of call on cruises that leave from the Northeast. When visiting Port Canaveral, many cruisers opt to spend the day at the theme parks in Orlando. While that can be a lot of fun, it can also be a long and expensive day.  For those looking for other options, it’s as easy as renting a car or grabbing a cab and hitting the road!

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex, about 30 minutes away, gives you the unique chance to tour NASA’s launch and landing facilities.  You can experience interactive simulators, live shows, and jaw dropping encounters with massive rockets!

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge covers 140,000 acres near the Kennedy Space Center and is home to thousands of amphibians, birds and mammals. Head here for a self-guided tour of a part of the refuge to see West Indian manatees, snakes, sea turtles and other native wildlife up close.


The sun and surf at the Cocoa Beach Pier makes it a great place to spend the day. Its home to 5 restaurants, 4 bars, and gift shops, free live musical entertainment and an 800-foot long fishing pier! The pier also offers beach rentals, fresh water showers, regulation beach volleyball courts, lifeguards year round and some of the best surfing on the east coast!

Have you ever wanted to learn to surf? There are several surf schools in the area that offer private and group lessons. Beginner surf lessons will provide a sound foundation and skills that will last a lifetime. Intermediate surfers will pick up special progressive learning techniques to improve style and techniques in the water.

A half-day sport fishing charter is easy to arrange on your own. Florida is known to many as the charter fishing capital of the world, with the warm waters of the gulf stream just 26 miles offshore. These half-day fishing trips target King fish, Barracuda, Mahi Mahi, Sail Fish, Bonita, Grouper, and Amberjack! Now that’s an exciting day!

Explore the beautiful scenery and native Florida wildlife of the St. Johns River via airboat! The trip starts with leisure idle down the river viewing exotic birds, turtles and the Florida alligator in their own natural environment. Then, fly like the wind into the swamps, traveling up to 45 miles per hour! Absolutely exhilarating!

Port Canaveral is a port of call on many cruises that depart from New York City, Cape Liberty, New Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland. When people hear Port Canaveral, they immediately think of Orlando theme parks.  However, the port offers so many other fun-filled ways to spend the day. Beautiful beaches, water sports, The Kennedy Space Center and eco-adventure tours are all a short distance away!"