On Oasis of the Seas in Port Canaveral Today? Here’s Exactly What To Do Nearby
Oasis is in Port Canaveral from 1–8 PM today. If you want to get off the ship, here are the two Cocoa Beach plans we recommend, and exactly how to get there and back. P.S. - We live down the road from Port Canaveral. These are local verified :)
If you’re getting off Oasis of the Seas in Port Canaveral today, don’t spend your few hours here trying to figure out what to do.
Go to Cocoa Beach.
You have two easy choices depending on what sounds more like your kind of afternoon.
One important thing first: Oasis is scheduled to leave Port Canaveral at 8:00 PM today. Royal Caribbean says all-aboard time at ports of call is generally about 30 minutes before sailing, but check the exact all-aboard time posted on your ship before you leave. That is the time you follow.
We would personally plan to be heading back toward the Port well before your posted all-aboard time. You are exploring independently, and Royal Caribbean makes it clear that the ship does not wait for guests who are late returning from independent plans.
OPTION 1: Ron Jon + Lunch + Beach
Pick this if: you have kids, want to see the famous Cocoa Beach surf area, or want everything easy and close together.
Start at Ron Jon Surf Shop at 4151 N. Atlantic Avenue.
Ron Jon on Google Maps
Rong Jon on Apple Maps
This is the flagship Cocoa Beach Ron Jon and a fun stop even if you have zero interest in surfing.
Walk around, grab Cocoa Beach souvenirs (the best option in our opinion for things that say “Cocoa Beach” are here), swimsuits, beach stuff or whatever you forgot to pack.
Then eat nearby at Rock The Guac, Poke Fin, or LongDoggers all within a couple of blocks from Ron Jon.
After lunch, head to the beach. This area makes sense if you want a simple afternoon where you aren't spending your limited time driving all over Cocoa Beach.
If rain rolls in, this is also the easier option because you can skip the beach and spend more time shopping or eating instead.
Our last post has this full itinerary and walking map zero thought on your part - just get to Ron Jon and follow the rest of the fun we mapped out for you all within short walking distance.
Start at Ron Jon Surf Shop for Port of Call activities in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Getting to Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach from the ship
Easiest: Take Uber or Lyft directly from Port Canaveral to Ron Jon. About 15 minutes, straight shot south down Atlantic Avenue (A1A, Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway)
On-demand shuttle: Cocoa Beach Express is Port Canaveral's official on-demand transportation provider. The Port says it offers vans, shuttles and buses to nearby destinations. For same-day transportation, call and confirm availability and your exact Ron Jon drop-off before leaving the Port.
Cheapest: Space Coast Area Transit's Route 9/Cocoa Beach Trolley runs between Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. The published fare is $1.25 per person per way.
The pickup for the Route 9 trolley is in the Cove area of Port Canaveral located here: 520 Glen Cheek Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. More details on the trolley are here including the map, fares and schedule.
But today, Jeremy and I would choose Uber/Lyft or an on-demand ride.
You only have a few hours. Don't save $15 and lose an hour of your day.
Cocoa Beach Express on demand shuttle from Port Canaveral can bring you to Ron Jon Surf Shop.
OPTION 2: Go Straight to Downtown Cocoa Beach
Pick this if: you want drinks, food, beach time and more of the actual Cocoa Beach vibe.
This is what I would choose.
Take an Uber/Lyft directly from Port Canaveral to Coconuts on the Beach at 2 Minutemen Causeway in Downtown Cocoa Beach.
It's approximately 7 miles/14 minutes from the Port under normal driving conditions, according to Coconuts.
Eat lunch overlooking the ocean.
Have a drink.
Then walk straight onto the beach.
Want chairs, an umbrella or a surfboard?
You don't need to bring beach equipment with you.
Beach Shack Beach Rentals operates directly on the beach at 1 Minutemen Causeway, right beside Coconuts.
They rent chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, bodyboards and beach games. Their current information says equipment is available directly on the beach and rentals operate into the early evening.
So your afternoon can literally be:
Lunch + drink at Coconuts → walk onto beach → rent chairs/umbrella → swim or surf → walk around Downtown Cocoa Beach → Uber back to Oasis.
No rental car.
No complicated itinerary.
No driving all over town.
Umbrella and chair rentals directly outside of Coconuts on the Beach and Beach Shack in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Want to shop?
Walk around Downtown Cocoa Beach before heading back.
If you want an actual local surf shop instead of another souvenir store, Catalyst is at 109 N. Orlando Avenue downtown.
Drift House is another local option at 350 N. Orlando Avenue if you like surf/skate clothing, shoes and accessories.
Both are close enough to fit into this itinerary without turning your afternoon into a transportation project.
What If It Rains?
Don't cancel your plans.
Florida rain can come and go quickly.
If it's dry:
Either of the two options above.
If a storm rolls in:
Skip the beach.
Do Ron Jon Surf Shop, then walk next door to Shark Pit restaurant and bar inside of Sheraton Four Points hotel. Minimal outdoor exposure. You can easily spend a couple of hours inside Ron Jon.
The goal isn't to check ten things off a list.
You only have a few hours. Pick one area and enjoy it.
You can easily kill a couple of hours inside Ron Jon Surf Shop. There’s something for everyone.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Ron Jon if:
You have kids.
You want the famous Cocoa Beach/Ron Jon experience.
You want shopping to be a bigger part of your afternoon.
You want to leave with Cocoa Beach souvenirs (t-shirts, stickers, shot glasses, keychains).
You want an easy backup if it rains.
Choose Downtown Cocoa Beach if:
You want beach time.
You want an oceanfront lunch and drinks.
You want to rent chairs, umbrellas or surfboards right on the sand.
You want to walk around local Cocoa Beach shops.
You want your few hours here to actually feel like you went to Cocoa Beach.
If it were us and we didn’t want any souvenirs, we’d choose Downtown Cocoa Beach.
If you take an uber or lyft, you can always hit up Ron Jon Surf Shop on your way back to the ship after you spend the day in downtown Cocoa Beach.
Atlantic Avenue and Minutemen intersection in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The beach entrance is directly ahead.
One Last Thing: Don't Miss Your Ship
Before leaving Oasis, look at the posted all-aboard time.
Royal Caribbean says all-aboard is generally scheduled about 30 minutes before departure, but the actual time for your sailing will be communicated onboard and posted near the gangway.
Don't plan your return based on what you read online.
Use the time Oasis gives you today.
Then give yourself extra time.
Port Canaveral isn't the place to squeeze in “one more drink” five minutes before you need to leave.
Pick one of these two plans, enjoy Cocoa Beach, and get back to your ship with time to spare.
Relax. Your on island time :)
Take it easy,
Ashley and Jeremy
