We will be visiting Orlando in January and want to add a few days at the beach. We enjoy staying at a resort that has many activities, and also enjoy marine-wildlife attractions. Considering Resort on Cocoa Beach or Disney's Vero Beach. Any comments?

I hear the Hilton on Cocoa Beach is nice and Canaveral National Seashore is nearby.

Thanks, I'll check that one out. The kids want to watch/try surfing. I think we're in the right area. Right?

We did a day trip from Orlando/WDW to Cocoa Beach (right by the pier) in June and had a great time. The ocean/waves do not appear to be very conducive for surfing but people were trying none the less. Enjoy!

When we lived in Orlando we used to head over to Cocoa Beach on the weekends and loved it! Its been many years though so I can't vouch for any other recommendations such as restaurants and such.

Your kids might like the atmosphere at Cocoa Beach a little more than that at Disney Vero.

Cocoa is a little more active and busy -- surfing shops such as Ron-Jon's and the like, and a busy beach.

Disney Vero is in a little more quiet area, and Vero itself is a bit more staid than Cocoa. I do know there's a public beach right in Vero that's open to surfers. The size of the waves varies from day to day. Can't comment on surfing in Cocoa.

Well, it is all relative (outside of storm produced waves, the East coast is nothing like California or Hawaii), but yes Cocoa Beach is considered good for surfing. Surfing mega star Kelly Slater grew up in Cocoa Beach. Enough said.