Life is a little more laid back in Melbourne Beach, where commercial areas are few and the ocean is steps away from home. This community of just over 3,000 sits on the barrier island between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. "It's secluded and private here, but it's still a very friendly, family-oriented, accessible community. It's not a cold place," says Realtor and resident Kellie Bowling, who has been selling homes for 17 years and works with Compass Florida. "We have a slower pace here. The roads go down to single traffic lanes, and Ocean Avenue is the only retail area." While Melbourne Beach enjoys its privacy, just a few miles up A1A are more commercially developed areas, like Indialantic and Satellite Beach. A little farther north on the Space Coast are Patrick Space Force Base and the Kennedy Space Center, which attract defense contractors to Brevard County. "On a clear day, you can see Cape Canaveral and the rocket launches. Those launches rattle our house even all the way out here."
Beachgoers enjoy sandcastles and volleyball along Melbourne Beach’s scenic shoreline.
Juan Ponce de Leon is believed to have landed near Melbourne Beach in 1513.
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Aerospace is the primary industry in Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is in the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Technologies Triangle. Patrick Space Force Base and NASA's Kennedy Space Center are major employers, as are defense contractors like L3Harris and Northrop Grumman. Many workers are also employed in education and healthcare. Because Melbourne Beach is mostly residential, it's more attractive to retirees than to tourists.
Kennedy Space Center launches are visible from nearby Merritt Island.
Titusville became part of the Space Coast during NASA’s 1960s operations.
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Steps from miles of beach on the Atlantic coast
Melbourne Beach has 12 parks serving the community and several miles of public beachfront. Most residents are within a quarter mile of beach access points, which line the A1A and have public parking. "My kids will get up and go to the beach every day," says Bowling. "My daughter goes surfing with her friends before school, and it's close enough that she has plenty of time to get ready." Bowling also notes how active the community is in Melbourne Beach. "You see people outside all year long, whether it's running, walking, cycling, swimming, windsurfing or boating. My husband often takes his boat out for fishing excursions around the Bahamas." Events like the Rotary Pineapple Man Triathlon and the Military Surf Contest are local favorites. Other public parks offer fishing, like Ryckman Park, which has a pier extending onto the Indian River Lagoon, or playgrounds, like the Mikey Goodwin Memorial Playground at Nance Park.
Fun, directional signs at Ryckman Park show the direction of other cities and towns.
Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach is a favorite spot for sunset gatherings.
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Melbourne Beach offers private, million-dollar homes
Melbourne Beach is the island's most residential and secluded community, and housing comprises most of the city's enclaves. "Pretty foliage and palm trees surround the homes so there's a lot of privacy, and the streets don't have a lot of car traffic, so it's a quiet area," says 22-year Realtor and broker associate Monica McKune with Keller Williams Brevard. Some homes are directly on the river or the oceanfront, though those are rarely on the market. According to Niche, the median sale price for a home here is $563,300, nearly double the national median sale price of $281,900. There is a mix of three-to-four-bedroom midcentury homes and 21st-century builds, with prices that range between $650,000 and $1 million. Custom beachfront homes will occasionally hit the market, with prices over $2 million. Two- to three-bedroom condos are another option in Melbourne Beach and typically list between $385,000 and $900,000, depending on the building's proximity to the ocean.
Mediterranean style homes are common in Melbourne Beach’s residential areas.
Melbourne Beach offers ocean views and a relaxed vibe for surfing and fishing.
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National Blue-Ribbon awards for Brevard Public Schools
Brevard Public Schools serves Melbourne Beach families and has a B-plus grade on Niche. In 2024, the Florida Department of Education designated BPS a Purple Star District, commending the district's support of the county's military families. The town's zoned secondary school, West Shore Junior/Senior High School, was awarded National Blue Ribbon School status in 2024.
Gemini Elementary School serves Melbourne Beach families with public education.
Melbourne High School educates local students from ninth through twelfth grade.
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Longtime favorites on Ocean Avenue
In Melbourne Beach, locally owned restaurants and shops dominate the town's commercial areas on Fifth Avenue and Ocean Avenue. There are few chain shops or restaurants, except for a Publix Super Market on the A1A. Melbourne Beach Market is a go-to for quick conveniences, deli sandwiches or pizza and an impressive international wine collection. Nearby, D'John's is a favorite for inviting, upscale dinners. While Melbourne Beach feels more private, residents can travel up the A1A to access more local shops and beachside restaurants. Nearby Melbourne offers more familiar chain restaurants and big box stores, and downtown Melbourne has lively taverns and upscale bistros. The Avenue Viera is about 20 miles from Melbourne Beach for more retail options
Publix in Melbourne Beach provides groceries and everyday essentials.
Djon’s Steak and Lobster House offers upscale dining on Melbourne Beach’s riverfront.
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Commuting from Melbourne Beach
The A1A Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway is the town's main artery, connecting it to the other coastal towns, and Interstate 95 is 18 miles away. Fifth Street and Eau Gallie Boulevard connect residents to mainland Melbourne, 5 miles away. Space Coast Area Transit buses operate along the A1A and Fifth Street. Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital is 10 miles from Melbourne Beach. The town is 6 miles from Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Residents can go to Orlando International Airport, 65 miles away, for direct flights.
Crime and weather in Melbourne Beach
While recent crime statistics for Melbourne Beach aren't available, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 2021 statewide annual county report dictates that the overall crime rate in Brevard County decreased by 13% percent from 2020 to 2021.
Melbourne Beach has humid, hot summers and mild, dry winters. The community sits on the Atlantic Ocean, providing an ocean breeze that keeps Melbourne Beach slightly warmer in the winter and somewhat cooler in the summer than cities farther inland. Due to the threat of damage from hurricanes, residents must purchase flood insurance and have a mandatory evacuation plan in place during storms.
Written By
Micaela Green
Photography Contributed By
Rodrigo Betancor
Video By
Adam Barkley
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Melbourne Beach, FL sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Melbourne Beach, FL over the last 12 months is $699,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Embrace coastal living on the western hemisphere's largest turtle nesting beach with this modern-build-resort that spans from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. Relax knowing you are in an expertly built concrete super-structure where exterior strength and interior design meet tastefully in this fully furnished turnkey property. The open floorplan features three bedrooms, including
Indulge in coastal serenity along the largest turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere. This contemporary resort sprawls from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic, offering a seamless fusion of sturdy concrete construction and sophisticated interior aesthetics. Fully furnished and move-in ready, this property boasts a fluid layout with three bedrooms, two luxurious en suites, and three
Embrace coastal living with this remarkable brand-new modern fully furnished penthouse condo boasting mesmerizing Atlantic Ocean views. An exceptional opportunity awaits, as this community allows short-term rentals, giving you the freedom to enjoy personal use of your condo while generating hassle-free rental income. The open floor plan features three bedrooms, including two elegant ensuites, and
Motivated Seller—Exceptional Value! Beautifully renovated 2BR/2BA + flex room in the sought-after ocean-to-river community of Lighthouse Cove. Enjoy private beach access, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, a community pool, and a dock for boat tie-up. This move-in ready block home features a new roof (2024), new AC (2025), new plumbing, luxury vinyl flooring, and spa-like updated baths. The chef's
Enjoy the best of both worlds in this Ocean to River Community!! This Luxury Property is ''Ideal for Investors'' - Currently it is a Fully Furnished Vacation Rental but can easily be a Move-In-Ready Personal Retreat. Just Steps from the Atlantic Ocean, this 2021 4 Bed 5.5 Bath 2 Car Garage Home with a Private Heated Pool and Spa is a Dream. Gourmet Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Flex
Welcome to Floridana Beach! Coastal comfort in this beautifully maintained CBS 3Bedroom 2Bathroom home with 2 Car Garage and private beach access for only $100 year HOA. Enjoy a refreshed interior with a remodeled kitchen featuring white cabinetry, granite, upgraded SS appliances, and tile backsplash. Updates include a metal roof, newer windows, AC & more. Step outside to a true oasis with a
Experience the best of riverfront living with private ocean access in the sought-after Wexford community of Melbourne Beach. This beautifully updated 3Bed/2.5Bath, 4th-floor corner unit showcases water views from every room—river and ocean. Enjoy sunsets over the river from the main balcony, accessible from the living room and primary suite, and sunrises over the ocean from a second balcony off
Beautifully Furnished 2BR/2BA + Loft with River Views & Beach Access! Experience coastal living at its finest in this fully furnished home featuring two spacious bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a versatile loft with a sofa bed — perfect for guests or a home office. Enjoy breathtaking river views from your screened lanai, and take comfort in the home's completely updated kitchen, bathrooms, and
Property Id: 859474Beautiful fully furnished & equipped condo is updated & ready for you to relax & enjoy. Perfect for executive lease, extended stay or vacation.Open floor plan with ocean views from all three bedrooms, great room & kitchen. 3 Bedrooms plus an office /4th bedroom with Intercoastal View! Renovated modern style kitchen, granite countertops and brand new stainless
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