Things to Do in Cape Canaveral in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Cape Canaveral
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
71°F (22°C)
High Temp
51°F (11°C)
Low Temp
2.8 inches (71 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Rocket launch visibility is clearest of the year - cold fronts sweep away haze, giving unobstructed views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- + Manatee viewing peaks at nearby Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge as herds move into warm-water canals - you'll see 50-100 manatees on cold mornings, around Haulover Canal
- + Holiday crowds haven't arrived yet - you'll have the beaches and restaurants largely to yourself before the Christmas rush starts December 20th
- + Surf fishing is exceptional - pompano and whiting run close to shore, and the cooler water means you won't be sweating through your waders at 7 AM
Considerations
- − Ocean water hits 68°F (20°C) - locals call this 'sweatshirt swimming weather' and most tourists won't last 10 minutes without a wetsuit
- − Evenings drop to 51°F (11°C) - outdoor dining on Port Canaveral's restaurants requires jackets, and those waterfront patios sit half-empty after sunset
- − Rocket launches get scrubbed more frequently in December due to upper-level winds - your carefully planned launch-viewing trip might turn into three days of 'maybe tomorrow'
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Cape Canaveral brings crisp air, a relief from the summer heat. Temperatures settle into the low seventies. Nights call for a light jacket. This cooler, drier edge makes outdoor activities comfortable. Think kayaking or fishing. The coast often gets clear, deep blue skies. They frame rocket launches well. Locals embrace this brief break from humidity. They gather for seasonal events that feel novel under the Florida sun. Light defines the season. The Space Coast Light Festival transforms the nearby Brevard Zoo. It becomes a luminous nighttime walk. The scent of pine needles and sweet kettle corn hangs in the cool air. Manatees surface slowly in their glowing blue pool. It is a quiet spectacle. This celebration runs from late November into early January. It defines the December atmosphere here. The thrill of exploration sits beside cozy traditions. The beaches remain inviting. The water has a cooler bite now. Focus shifts to adventures above the waves or into the inland waterways. Wear layered clothing. Feel the cool breeze on a fishing charter. See how this community wraps itself in holiday warmth. It is a place defined by technology and ocean.
Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures ticket
guided_experienceYou will use a network of zip lines and suspended bridges. Feel the cool December air rush past. Look down on the rustling, sandy landscape of the coastal hammock. This aerial course has a bird's-eye view of Cape Canaveral's terrain. It ends with a thrilling zip line to the dune edge. The Atlantic spreads out before you.
It turns a beachside forest into a personal adventure park. You get a physical challenge with unbeatable views of the Cape Canaveral coastline.
Insider tip: Book the first morning slot. You will have the course nearly to yourself. Experience the quiet, dewy calm before crowds arrive.
This month: The cooler, less humid December weather makes climbing and zipping more comfortable than in the summer heat.
Port Canaveral to Orlando Airport MCO and Hotels Private Transfer
transportThis direct, private transfer cuts the hassle of rental cars and crowded shuttles. It provides an easy, air-conditioned ride from Port Canaveral's cruise terminals. You go straight to Orlando's airport or your hotel. Watch the coastal scrubland of Cape Canaveral give way to central Florida's sprawl. Your luggage is handled from curb to curb.
It is the most efficient way to end a cruise. This is true with family or lots of gear.
Insider tip: Schedule your pickup for at least 90 minutes after your ship's docking time. This accounts for delays and disembarkation crowds.
Bioluminescence Kayak Tour Near Orlando
adventureEach dip of the paddle stirs a galaxy of neon blue light. It clings to your hands and drips like liquid stars. This is caused by microscopic organisms in the brackish estuaries near Cape Canaveral. It is best viewed on nights with minimal moonlight. The water becomes a living, bioluminescent tapestry.
It lets you interact with one of Florida's memorable natural wonders. The experience feels serene and electrifying.
Insider tip: Wear quick-dry clothing you do not mind getting wet. Apply insect repellent to your ankles and wrists before launching. The still air can attract mosquitoes.
This month: Bioluminescence is present year-round. Cooler December temperatures mean fewer biting insects.
Orlando Deep Sea Fishing Charter
otherHead straight out from the Cape Canaveral coast into the Atlantic. The air smells of salt spray and diesel. The crew guides you to where pelagic fish roam. Feel the powerful tug of a mahi-mahi or wahoo on your line. The Florida coastline is a thin, green line on the horizon.
It delivers a professional-grade offshore fishing trip. You target prized species from the Gulf Stream.
Insider tip: This charters the entire boat. Gather a group to make the per-person cost better. The shared experience is more memorable.
This month: December can bring excellent fishing for king mackerel and sailfish. They move closer to shore in the cooler months.
Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area
adventureMangroves line the shores. The only sounds are your paddle's splash and a distant dolphin's exhale. These sheltered waters near Cape Canaveral are a winter refuge for manatees. You will likely see them grazing on seagrass just feet from your kayak.
It gives you intimate access to the habitats of dolphins and manatees. A peaceful paddle becomes a wildlife safari.
Insider tip: Paddle slowly and quietly. Look for large, circular ripples on the water's surface. They often betray a manatee's presence below.
This month: Manatee populations in these lagoons swell in December. They seek warmer, consistent temperatures.
Kennedy Space Center from Port Canaveral & return to Cruise Ship
cruiseYou maximize your time among rockets and space shuttle exhibits. Walk beneath the monumental Saturn V. Feel the simulated rumble of a launch. See actual space-flown artifacts. They tell the story of Cape Canaveral's central role.
It is the most reliable way for cruise passengers to see the seminal Space Coast attraction. There are no transportation logistics.
Insider tip: Go straight for the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. This line grows longest by midday. It is the cornerstone of the visit.
Where to Stay in Cape Canaveral in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★★
Luxury
Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York
From $839 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late November through Early January
Space Coast Light Festival
The Brevard Zoo strings 1 million LED lights through 25 acres of Florida hammock, creating a 1.5 km (0.9 mile) walking loop that smells like pine and kettle corn. The manatee enclosure stays open late - they glow blue under the lights and surface every 8 minutes, good for photos. Local food trucks serve smoked gator tail and hot cider; it's the only time you'll see locals wearing scarves and mittens.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Cape Canaveral Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals eat steamed shrimp at Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar on the Port Canaveral pier - the deck heaters run full-blast in December, and you'll get launch views if a rocket lifts off from 39An across the water
The best free manatee viewing isn't at the refuge - it's at the warm-water discharge canal behind the Florida Power & Light plant on SR-528. Park at the cul-de-sac past the guard gate before 8 AM
Cruise ships block launch views from the south jetty - if you're photographing a daytime launch, position yourself at Cherie Down Park instead, where the angle puts the rocket between you and the lighthouse
December's cold fronts come in 3-day cycles - if you arrive during a front, wait 72 hours for the next one to pass and you'll get the clearest skies of the month
Avoid These Mistakes
Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt for sunrise activities - the thermometer might say 51°F (11°C) but the ocean breeze makes it feel like 42°F (6°C) until the sun clears the horizon at 7:15 AM
Booking waterfront restaurants for dinner without checking if they enclose their patios - half of Port Canaveral's decks stay open to the elements, and you'll eat wearing gloves
Assuming rocket launches are daily - December averages only 2-3 launches, and scrubbed attempts mean your 3-day trip might see zero liftoffs
Explore More Activities in Cape Canaveral
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Cape Canaveral.
See All Cape Canaveral Tours on Viator