The beaches at Melbourne Beach and the smaller areas of Melbourne Shores and Floridana Beach are wonderful vistas of brownish soft sand sloping dramatically to the water. Combined with plenty of public access, the beaches here easily accommodate the needs of residents and the seasonal and weekend swarms from nearby Melbourne. The entire area gives the feel of a true Florida beach town, dominated by residential areas and friendly faces.

The main beach access for visitors is an incredible facility called Spesser Holland Park. Located three miles south of the Melbourne Causeway, the park sprawls for a mile along A1A and features north and south entrances. Ample parking is available at only $1.00 per day, and picnic pavilions and facilities are available at both entrances. To the south in Melbourne Shores, Coconut Point Park is a county run facility with restrooms and limited free parking. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge to the south of Melbourne Shores, provides a protected habitat for sea turtles and other endangered species. This 20-mile stretch of coastline is the most important nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the Western Hemisphere. A few access points to the refuge are indicated by signs, and several turtle-watching programs operate in the nesting season.