These beaches are open to all!
Travelers who use wheelchairs or have other mobility issues can have difficulty finding beaches to visit that are accessible for them, but that shouldn’t stop them from enjoying a beach’s fun atmosphere, sunny skies and gorgeous ocean (or lake!) views. These beaches offer a variety of helpful features that can make a big difference for these travelers, from beach wheelchairs to Mobi Mats, wheelchair-accessible restrooms and more. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it will hopefully inspire you to consider your next beach vacation destination! Click through this slideshow to see ten accessible beaches across the United States and Canada.
The Space Coast, Florida
Florida’s Space Coast has worked to provide plenty of accessibility information about its beaches. It currently offers seven different rental locations for beach wheelchairs, like Crabby’s Beach Wheels, which offers six different wheelchair varieties, including one that can float in the ocean and provides free wheelchair delivery across the entire county! The region also provides a helpful online map with accessible beach access points, made accessible by ramps or Mobi Mats, a list of accessible accommodations, other accessible attractions, like the Kennedy Space Center Complex, and more.
Bradford Beach, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Travelers heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin can enjoy breathtaking views of one of the continent’s largest lakes at Bradford Beach, beloved by both travelers and residents alike. In 2020, the city installed an 8-foot-wide smooth concrete ramp that helps wheelchair users or people who have balance difficulties to the beach as part of a 5-year accessibility development program. A Mobi Mat continues the ramp’s pathway all the way to the lake. The beach also offers beach wheelchair rentals at The Dock, which also serves as a seasonal beach restaurant.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Padre Island National Seashore is the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world and is a beautiful place to visit during a trip to Texas’ Gulf Coast region. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and over 380 bird species call this place their home, while its history spans as far back as the mid-1500s, being the site of Spanish shipwrecks. Malaquite Beach is the most accessible beach in the park, with a visitor center offering beach wheelchair rentals, an accessible picnic area and ramps leading to the bathrooms. In addition, 12 of the 24 beach access points in the protected area are made accessible by Mobi Mats.
O’ahu, Hawaii
The island of O’ahu offers several different beaches with all-terrain wheelchair rentals for wheelchair users. These include Ala Moana Beach Park, Fort DeRussy Beach and Sans Souci Beach in Waikiki, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Kailua Beach Park, Kualoa Regional Park and Pokai Beach Park. The Hawaii Tourism Authority does recommend wheelchair users to contact Honolulu’s Parks and Recreation department by phone prior to arrival in order to get more specific accessibility information.
Marquette County, Michigan
Marquette County, Michigan is a great destination for visiting two accessible beaches in the area for enjoying Lake Superior. Presque Isle Park is a 323-acre forested peninsula with paved paths in the pavilion and marina areas, as well as accessible restrooms. There are paved viewing points to view the lake, and the beach is accessible to beach and all-terrain wheelchairs. Clark Lambros Beach Park is located on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and offers a beach wheelchair for rent, but it’s greatest benefit is its EZ Launch, which makes transferring to and from kayaks or canoes easier for wheelchair users.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The state parks in Massachusetts, including near Cape Cod, offer a variety of accessibility options specifically for wheelchair users. The Cape Cod National Seashore, Scusset Beach State Reservation, South Cape Beach State Park and others offer beach mats, boardwalks, accessible bathouses and beach wheelchairs. Some also offer accessible fishing piers, observation platforms and more.
South Carlsbad State Beach, California
South Carlsbad State Beach in Carlsbad, California offers accessible campsites, parks, restrooms, showers and tables. The beach includes a wheelchair access ramp and a self-service beach wheelchair rental. Accessible routes through the park are available, too, as is a scenic overlook that provides a beautiful view of the beach.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach in Virginia is considered one of the most accessible beaches in the country, with three areas for renting free beach wheelchairs, including at Grommet Island Park. There are also a variety of other businesses that offer longer-duration beach wheelchair rentals or scooter rentals. There are five beach access points that wheelchair users can use, with boardwalks over the sand. There are also five permanent accessible restrooms. Grommet Island Park is the first-ever accessible beach park for kids, with playground equipment adapted specifically for wheelchair users.
Oxnard Beach Park, Los Angeles, California
Oxnard Beach Park near Los Angeles, California is one of the oldest accessible beaches in the country, featuring a 900-foot concrete path around sand dunes and leading to the beach, called the Rehab Point Loop. There are also accessible picnic areas in the park and beach wheelchairs are available for pick-up at Harbor Patrol. Silver Strand Beach and Oxnard Beach also offer beach wheelchairs at lifeguard stations during certain times of the year.
Devonshire Beach, Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta
Considered by some to be the best beach in Alberta, Devonshire Beach offers 1.5 km of natural beachfront with a beach wheelchair rental, world-class bird research and interpretive center, summer festivals and accessible viewing platforms in the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. The beach access road is closed during the winter, but a definite must-visit during the rest of the year.