Merritt Island
town · United States
Overview
Set in United States, Merritt Island is a town.
It is home to around 35,000 people and it lies on the coast, close to sea level.
On the map it sits in North America, in the northern hemisphere.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is the closest airport, roughly 29 km away.
Key facts
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Population | 34,743 |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| Elevation | 1 m |
| Nearest airport | Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), 29 km |
| Currency | USD |
Where Merritt Island is
Merritt Island sits on the coast in United States, in the northern part of North America.
Orlando lies about 70 km to the west, Rockledge lies about 4 km to the west and Cocoa lies about 6 km to the north-west.
Getting there
The usual way in is to fly. Your nearest airport is Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), roughly 29 km away.
Being on the coast, it can also be reached by sea, and it is a natural stop on a coastal or island route.
Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.
Find flights to Merritt Island →arrives MLB (29 km away)
Getting around
It is small enough to walk end to end; a car or taxi helps for anything beyond the centre.
Best time to visit
The climate here is broadly subtropical (northern hemisphere): mild winters and hot summers.
For most visitors the shoulder seasons — roughly April to June and September to October — offer warm-enough weather without the peak-summer crowds, while high summer (June to August) is busiest.
The coast keeps things a touch milder and sea temperatures usable later into the season.
Reasons to visit
A few reasons Merritt Island is worth your time: a coastal setting, with the sea close at hand; a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through MLB.
Day trips & nearby
For day trips, several places sit within easy reach: Orlando (70 km to the west); Rockledge (4 km to the west); Cocoa (6 km to the north-west); Cocoa Beach (9 km to the south-east); Daytona Beach (100 km to the north).
Good to know
The currency is the USD (Dollar).
The main languages spoken are English, Spanish.
Clocks run on America/New_York time.
Traffic drives on the right.
How long to stay
For a first visit, allow 3–5 days to see the main sights at a comfortable pace.
Journeys through here
Where to stay in Merritt Island
Hotels are booked on Booking.com (a third party, off this page). You book and pay them directly — Head Your Way is not the seller.
Getting around Merritt Island
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Common questions
- What is the nearest airport to Merritt Island?
- Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is the closest airport, about 29 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Merritt Island?
- Late spring and early autumn tend to be the most pleasant.
- What is near Merritt Island?
- Orlando is one of the closest places, about 70 km away, with others within day-trip range.
- Which country is Merritt Island in?
- Merritt Island is in United States.
On the map
Keep exploring
Nearby places
More places in United States
Similar destinations
Plan the wider trip
Sources & method
- GeoNames — population · retrieved 2026-09-18
- OurAirports (derived) — nearestAirports · retrieved 2026-09-18
Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.