Satellite Beach, Florida, is a laid-back gem on the Space Coast perfect for surfing, kayaking, yacht tours, and turtle watching. With fewer crowds than Miami and a welcoming local vibe, it offers sun-soaked days, fresh seafood, and unforgettable sunsets. This guide reveals how to plan the ultimate chill getaway with insider tips from Miami-based travel bloggers.
We are a team of travel bloggers residing in Miami, and we are determined to find Florida’s hidden gems where you can relax and ride a wave. Satellite Beach is a perfect place. It is a lot less active than Miami Beach and full of all the things that one can relax on vacation with: beaches, kayaks, turtles, and sun-kissed cafes. In the following article, however, we will tell you how to make the most out of it and also give you some tricks on how to make your trip unforgettable.
Why Satellite Beach is Your Next Stop
Halfway between Melbourne and Indian River County is a little piece of heaven, which is called Satellite Beach on the Space Coast in Florida. It comprises approximately 11,000 residents and receives 500,000 visitors every year. Great beaches and temperatures of 25-30, and the Hightower Beach and Samsons Island Park make it the best place to visit any time of the year.
Things to do in Satellite Beach include everything from morning kayaking to evening hangouts in local taverns. It is also possible to rent a yacht at GetBoat.com and take a sea tour to mangroves or dolphins. Here are our top picks:
- Surfing on Hightower Beach: Waves 2–4 feet high are ideal for beginners and pros. Surfboard rental is $20/day at Surf World;
- Kayaking on Pelican River: Kayak rental is $30/day, and the mangrove trail takes 2–3 hours;
- Turtle Viewing at Pelican Beach Park: May–October, observe nesting turtles guided for $15. Please let us know if you want to have it in another format.
In case you are after something special, you can rent a fishing or dolphin-watching yacht tour. The cost is 150 dollars per 2-hour tour, which is worth every penny to see the sunset on the water on the boat, and being there is something you will never forget. Skilled sailors will have an opportunity to rent a catamaran and fish in the Atlantic – locals will tell you where it is preferred to catch tuna and marlin. Amateurs, do the group tour: a tour guide will educate you for 50/person.
Food and Fun: Your Perfect Plan
Satellite Beach food is a whole adventure. Cafes and taverns along the local strip provide fresh fish and a classic American setting. Long Doggers, a favorite on A1A, has fish tacos for $12 and craft beer for $5. For dinner with views, check out The Beachside Café and their lobster rolls for $18. For something authentic, Da Kine Diego’s offers seafood burritos for $10; locals call them “insane.” Average restaurant bills run between $15 and $25.
To make the most of your day in Satellite Beach, here’s a plan we’ve tested ourselves:
- Morning: Start with surfing at Hightower Beach. Rent a board for $20 and catch waves till 11 a.m;
- Afternoon: Book a kayak for $30 and explore Banana River. Lunch at Long Doggers for $15;
- Night: Rent a yacht for a sunset tour. Dinner at Beachside Café.
Book activities in advance, especially yachts, to obtain the optimum rates. GetBoat.com enables you to choose a boat from speedboats to catamarans and plan courses, e.g., to the mangrove forests. Going with a guide is preferable, and for town travel, use Uber or borrow a bike. It’s best to cruise between Hightower Beach and Pelican Beach Park.
Final Thoughts: Your Satellite Beach Adventure Awaits
Satellite Beach is where waves are ridden, seafood is devoured by the bucketload, and a hero emerges from a beachside adventure. Yacht rides and surf riding make this an ideal town for an easy holiday. So bring sunscreen, book activities, and proceed to Satellite Beach. Paradise lies in wait!