SpaceX And Blue Origin Ships, Launch Pads: Views From Off Florida Coast

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The charter boat bobbed in the waves while at the dock — awaiting space enthusiasts to board not for a regular boat ride, but for an evening of rocket sighting.

While the Cape Canaveral launch pads may be off limits to everyday spectators, one way to get a closer look at all the launch activity happening on the Space Coast is by boat. FLORIDA TODAY bought a ticket and rode along with Star Fleet Tours on the boat "Sea Trident."

"We have hosted people that traveled from Europe to see launches," said Steven Giraldo, director of operations for S tar Fleet Tours . "For some people, (it) is a bucket list experience."

A boat ride out about 10 miles in the Atlantic Ocean can put one directly in sight of the action. And the viewing can begin as soon as the boat pulls away from the dock.

Bret Cook was one of those space enthusiasts waiting to board. He stood on the dock at Port Canaveral − his Sony camera in hand. He told FLORIDA TODAY he has been interested in space since the post-Apollo days. Growing up just after the moon landings, the stories sparked his fascination with space exploration .

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"You kinda come in on the tail end of that nostalgia − it's something that led me to it and kept me going into it. There's a lull there, and then you got SpaceX coming along, and they're doing something completely different. And everybody's getting excited," Cook said.

"Now things are kind of exciting again. You got a mix mash of different companies coming in here and doing launches. It's actually rather fun."

Pulling out into the waters of Port Canaveral, the first sight is one many who pass by the port might not even notice.

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