COCOA BEACH, Fla. – This spring break, Cocoa Beach was one of America's most popular coastal communities to check in on Facebook with "selfies" from the sunny sand, a watering hole, a hotel or a restaurant.
According to Local 6 News Partners Florida Today, Facebook ranked Cocoa Beach ninth on its Top 10 list of spring break beach check-in destinations, based on volume and traffic increases from February to March among 18- to 24-year-olds.
"I credit the surfing events and the new Beach ‘N Boards Fest, put on by Mitch Varnes and Ron Jon's, as helping to draw that spring break crowd here," said Rob Varley, Brevard County Tourist Development Council executive director.
"And just, everybody knowing that this is the surf capital," Varley said.
However, at Cocoa Beach City Hall — where debate over rowdy spring break behavior has lingered for years — Melissa Byron declined to specifically comment on the Facebook check-in list. She serves as director of marketing and economic development.
"The city of Cocoa Beach is always honored to be recognized as a Top 10 beach vacation destination. It is our intention and it is in our city charter to present our city as a ‘family-friendly resort,' " Byron said.
"The city strives to retain our family-friendly environment not only for the benefit of our visitors, but also our residents," she said.
Panama City Beach topped the Facebook check-in rankings, with Santa Monica Beach, Calif., taking second. Florida and California beaches dominated the list, securing eight of the Top 10 sites. The exceptions: Gulf Shores Beach, Ala., and Port Aransas, Texas.
Myrtle Beach, S.C., topped Facebook's check-in list for spring breakers ages 25 and older. Only two Florida beaches made that Top 10 list: South Beach (fourth) and Jupiter Beach (fifth).
Top check-in beaches
Facebook's Top 10 spring break beach check-in sites, based on volume and traffic increases from February to March among 18- to 24-year-olds: