Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier

The pier is home to many memories for a lot of locals and visitors alike. Once it was just a pier, unruly and full of fishermen and kids. It has in recent years been "gentrified" into what I might call a "family-fun-food experience."

The food is much improved in 2023, and the Hawaiian ice shop has expanded and is a big draw. There are...hold on, let me count...3 or 4 bars, all under the same management and dependant on weather. The tiki hut at the end, the outside in the wall with tables around, and the one that's been there since the old days, under a roof but open to the elements after the ramp

It's changed a lot over the years, but the changes make it an easy place to relax. Very rarely are there "drunks" making a scene. There are no televisions (mercifully, please never change that) so loud game days happen elsewhere. And a large percentage of the customers are just passing through on their way to a cruise or other Florida fun.

The staff is all well trained and unlike many (many) other local places, they all seem happy to be there. At least they are professional and don't air kitchen/bar complaints and gossip. They know the locals, very many by name. Myself included.

As a person living locally I walk there about three times a week to absorb other people's vacation positivity. I have met many interesting people and had many conversations with people I will never see again, but that's the transient nature of a destination beach town. It's the charm of the Pier.

P.S. I've lost a couple of pairs of glasses to the strong winds out there, so batten down...

I arrived at Cocoa Beach about a hour and a half after landing at Orlando arriving from Columbus Ohio. I had planned a visit to the Kennedy Space Center the next day, but I hadn't seen the Atlantic Ocean since the mid-1990's and needed to reintroduce myself to it with a Pina Colada. I had booked a room at the closest hotel to the Cocoa Beach Pier. Past ocean visits had taught me the piers are often very interesting places to visit. This pier was just what I needed. Unfortunately, by the time I had made it there most of it was closing down, but the Tiki Bar at the very end of the pier was still going. The bartender made me a very superior Pina Colada - possibly the best I have ever consumed. It was April 25th and the ocean breeze was more like an ocean blast. I had to practically lash myself to the bar to keep from being cast overboard. I ordered a second Pina Colada and she added a layer toasted coconut to the top - absolutely delicious! And the view - not only of the bartender, but of the ocean, the beach and the Tiki Bar itself. Time didn't allow me to revisit the Tiki Bar the next night - it was closed by the time I got to the pier. I had hoped to stop by on my way back to Orlando on the way home but that was foiled as well. I hope to go back down sometime in the future - if I do I'm going to schedule a stay at the Days Inn right next to the pier and plan on doing nothing but sitting at the Tiki Bar for an...

I had a really disappointing experience at Pier 62 that I wanted to share. The Florida heat was absolutely brutal that day, we’re talking about a heat index that felt dangerous, with temperatures around 34°C and humidity at 90%.

When we arrived, security asked us to pour out our water bottles, which I understood might be standard policy. But then things got frustrating. When we went to the bar hoping to get some water to stay hydrated in that intense heat, the bartender refused to serve us any not even a glass of tap water or ice.

I was genuinely surprised by this. In weather that hot and humid, staying hydrated isn’t just about comfort, it’s about safety. I’ve traveled to many places and visited lots of waterfront venues, and I’ve never encountered a situation where staff wouldn’t provide basic water service, especially in such extreme conditions.

The views at Pier 62 might be nice, but the experience left me feeling like customer wellbeing wasn’t a priority. If you’re planning to visit, I’d strongly recommend bringing plenty of water and being prepared for limited hydration options once you’re there. In Florida’s intense summer heat, that’s not just a convenience issue it’s a health concern.

I hope they’ll reconsider their water policy, because no one should have to worry about dehydration when they’re trying to enjoy a day out.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

PS: No water...