Canaveral National Seashore is one of the rare places where the raw beauty of nature meets the awe-inspiring power of space-age technology. As you feel the soft sand between your toes, you also get the unique opportunity to also feel the rumbling of nearby rockets as they blast off to space. Here you have the chance to see a rocket launch up close and personal, and as a Floridian, I feel this is the best seat for the show.
This is one of the most natural, undeveloped beaches in Florida. It is the state’s longest stretch of undeveloped coastline along the Atlantic shores and includes 24 miles of undeveloped beach that spans two counties. The Apollo District in New Smyrna Beach is located on the northern end and the Playalinda District in Titusville makes up the southern end.
The Best Place To See a Rocket Launch From Canaveral National Seashore
There’s no recurring days and times for rocket launches, but you can always check out the updated rocket launch schedule to see if there’s a launch happening when you’re visiting. You can see rocket launches from many spots in central Florida and I’ve even seen them from my home near Orlando. It’s definitely not the same though. I personally feel it is a completely different experience to be able to see it from the beach — and Canaveral National Seashore is the best place to view it.
Laura Henning, the Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services at Canaveral National Seashore, told me about a less visited spot. She said, “We have a historic site that’s on the water in Oak Hill, right in the middle of the two beach districts. It’s called Seminole Rest, and it’s got an awesome dock that goes out into the lagoon. That’s been kind of a secret spot where people have been going to watch launches.”
Some people also go north to Apollo Beach, but if you want the closest beach seats, you’ll want to head to Playalinda Beach in Titusville. There are 13 parking areas that allow direct beach access. All of these offer great viewing, but parking area 1 at Playalinda allows you to be closest to the action. Don’t worry if you can’t get a spot in that lot though. Even if you park in another area, you can still walk down the beach to be closer to the action.
Timing is everything though, because rocket launches can happen at all hours of the day and night. Playalinda Beach opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. in the summer and 6 p.m. in the winter and you’ll only be able to see a launch from there during those hours.
What You’ll Find at Canaveral National Seashore’s Playalinda Beach (and What You Won’t)
- You’ll find less crowds than many of Florida’s beaches and it’s a much more laid-back vibe than you’ll find elsewhere. As you can imagine, launch days can be busier though.
- Unlike many beaches in Florida, you won’t find hotels, surf shops and restaurants within walking distance. That’s actually part of what I like about it though — it gives you a chance to experience its undisturbed natural beauty.
- While the park doesn’t have a lot of extra amenities, it does have public bathrooms.
- There’s a visitor center located at Apollo Beach, but there isn’t one at Playalinda Beach. Kiddos can still participate in the Junior Ranger program though. Just ask for your free book when you pull through the entrance gate.
- The great views start before you even get to the beach. Before you get to the parking areas, pull over at Vista 6 or 7. These are really scenic spots where you can get cool pictures of the launch pads. These areas are sometimes closed on the days of a launch though.
- Playalinda is also a great place to see a sunrise, so you may want to plan to arrive early to catch that show too.
- You’ll likely see several people fishing from the shores of Playalinda Beach. The last time I was there, one angler was bragging to me about the nice sized pompano she had just caught. If you decide to give it a try, her advice was to use shrimp or sand fleas on a Pompano Rig.
- When you drive in, you’ll see a sign that says you may encounter nude sunbathing within Boardwalk 13. Although there are some people that may leave Playalinda Beach without tan lines, this area is located at the farthest point in the park. I can say that I’ve never seen anyone baring all in any other areas of the beach.
Planning Your Trip to Playalinda Beach
- If you’re coming to see a launch, plan to arrive early. The road between the entry gate and parking area 1 will close 30 minutes before the launch. If you aren’t there by then, you won’t be getting in. It’s also important to point out that sometimes the park can reach capacity on big launch days, so my advice is to arrive a few hours earlier. This is especially important on weekends or when there is a highly publicized launch.
- Fill up your gas tank before you go. Traffic can sometimes be crazy in the area on launch days and there’s not a gas station within the park. It’s bad enough to be stuck in traffic, but if you run out of gas while stuck in traffic, that’s a whole other situation you don’t want to deal with.
- If you have an America the Beautiful pass, bring that along for free entry. If you don’t have a pass, you’ll be charged $25 per vehicle at the gate. Make sure you keep the receipt because that actually gets you entry for seven consecutive days. You can come back to Playalinda Beach or even use it to visit Apollo Beach at the north end of Canaveral National Seashore. If you want to come back again and again, they also have their own annual pass that is just for the seashore.
- Pack a cooler with plenty of water. Once you’re in the park, you won’t find any concession stands and it’s important to stay hydrated when out in the blazing sun. Throw some snacks in the cooler too — nobody enjoys being hangry at the beach.
- Slather on some sunscreen. According to a report on sunscreen habits, the average American only wears sunscreen 60% of the time when they’re outside. I know firsthand it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of the launch and forget about this, but the Florida sun can be brutal and there’s not anywhere to buy it within the park once you realize you need it.
- It’s also important to note that occasionally NASA requests that the park be shut down during a launch for safety reasons. It’s not common, but it can happen. I’ve also seen launches get canceled at the last minute because of technical issues or weather conditions. Safety first!
Other Things to Do Near Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore
Once you see a launch, you’ll be mesmerized and ready to take your own trip to space. At Kennedy Space Center, you can (kind of). The shuttle launch experience is a simulator that gives you the feeling of flying to space. Plan to spend a whole afternoon there because you can also get a close-up view of the space shuttle Atlantis, tour the rocket garden, enjoy multiple exhibits and take a bus tour. Want to hang out with an astronaut? You can do that, too.
This wildlife refuge is adjacent to the Canaveral National Seashore and Kennedy Space Center and is a part of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. You can enjoy it from the comfort of your car on the seven mile Black Point Wildlife Drive, or if you prefer to set forth on your journey by foot, there’s also a variety of hiking trails. You’ll also find a few companies that offer kayak tours in the refuge and that’s a fun way to see manatees and dolphins.
One of the best places to eat in Titusville is Dixie Crossroads. It’s been there for over 40 years and is a place where the locals go for the best fresh seafood. They’re also famous for their corn fritters dusted in powdered sugar. I know it sounds strange, but just trust me on this one — this unique blend of flavors is pure deliciousness! They’re also one of the participating restaurants in the Shuck and Share program, a unique effort that allows restaurants to recycle discarded oyster shells to be used in coastal restoration projects.
The Canaveral National Seashore is definitely not your typical beach experience. It’s just such a surreal experience to see a rocket blasting into space, and if you have the opportunity to see a launch from the beach — do it! Plan to spend a couple of days in the area though so you can experience all it has to offer within and around the seashore.
