Accessible Beaches at Home and Afar

Beaches play a vital role in the vacation experience. Whether it's escaping to somewhere sunny and bright to remedy those pesky winter blues or taking a summer adventure to a coastline far, far away, for many travelers, a visit to the beach is an essential piece of the vacation puzzle.

These stretches of sand, rock and shore are important. They make us feel some sort of way, and they should be accessible to all, no matter their level of mobility. And unfortunately, while this isn’t the reality for all the world’s beaches, many have made moves in the right direction. From custom mats and ramps to all-terrain wheelchairs and more, at these eight accessible beaches at home and afar everyone can enjoy the traveler’s fundamental right to an awesome beach day.

Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

The aftermath of an ancient volcanic eruption, Oahu’s Hanauma Bay, with its diverse marine ecosystem and unique half-moon shape, is one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions. It also happens to be one of the most accessible beaches in the United States. A sandy oasis surrounded by vegetated cliffsides, spacious walkways, beach wheelchairs and a free transportation shuttle connecting the park’s upper and lower levels makes it easy for guests to enjoy the region’s natural splendor. And, when they’re done hitting the sand, adventurous beachgoers can conquer the trails by renting an all-terrain wheelchair from the nearby Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. However, the region’s trails have little to no shade, so don’t forget the sunscreen.

Nova Icaria Beach, Spain

A popular public beach overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Balearic Sea, Barcelona’s Nova Icaria Beach offers visitors a break from fast-paced tours and travel fatigue in exchange for a cozy slice of sand. Stretching over 1,300 feet, Nova Icaria is a favorite among locals and tourists alike with lively activities like volleyball and table tennis, a convenient location and modern smoke-free facilities. This seaside escape is also one of the region’s most accessible with comfortable beach wheelchairs available to rent, accessible paths by the plenty and volunteer assistance for visitors who need a little extra help getting around. At Nova Icaria, everyone is encouraged to take a dip, and wheelchair users can do so too with various tools and resources like an onsite hoist, life vests, parasols and floating aids. Of course, volunteers are always happy to help too.

Manly Beach, Australia

For a sun-filled outing in The Land Down Under, travelers need to look no further than Manly Beach. The very same site where the world’s first surfing contest was held in 1964, the historic oceanside suburb of Manly, and the beach that inhabits it, is a favorite among wheelchair users who cite accessible pathways, open-air markets and spacious, ADA-compliant bathrooms as some of the best in all of Australia. As for the beach itself, visitors can borrow complimentary beach wheelchairs from the Manly Surf Pavilion before taking advantage of ramp access to the sand via a gentle ramp on the park’s south side. And, as an added bonus, young travelers with accessibility needs will be happy to find North Steyne Major, an inclusive playground with lots of accessible features like a pod swing, sensory playboards, an accessible see-saw and more.

Mount Maunganui Main Beach, New Zealand

Featuring over 74 miles of picturesque shoreline, New Zealand’s Coastal Bay of Plenty region is a must-visit for travelers in search of sand, surf and unbelievable scenery. And, with such a strong connection to the land and the waters that shaped it, Kiwis take their beach access seriously — for everyone. A shining example of New Zealand’s passion for equal beach access is Mount Maunganui Main Beach, a lengthy stretch of white sand situated at the base of the majestic Mount Maunganui, a dormant volcano cone perched at the tip of an ocean-flanked peninsula. Here, visitors, no matter their physical ability, can enjoy medium or large beach wheelchairs, an accessible changing facility, accessible picnic tables and rollout beach access mats that lead directly to the sea.

Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland

One of a handful of accessible beaches in Northern Ireland, the ability to reserve specialty wheelchairs and walkers makes it easy for visitors of every mobility level to enjoy the majestic beauty of Portstewart Strand with ease. The terrain is flat and sandy, making it an ideal place for those with mobility aids to maneuver, and the views stretch on for miles with nothing in the distance but the vastness of the North Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively, while traversing the beach by foot is always an adventure, one of the most unique features of Portstewart Strand is the ability to access the natural area by car. That’s right, visitors can drive their vehicle just feet from the surf turning even the dreariest of coastal days into a beach day.

Praia da Rocha, Portugal

Featuring dramatic blue waters and towering limestone rock formations, Portugal’s Praia da Rocha is one of the region’s most beloved beaches. Located on the southern coast of the city of Portimão, Praia da Rocha is the ultimate amalgam of natural and man-made wonders surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers, modern apartment buildings and magical golden-colored cliffsides. The seemingly endless sandy shore is dotted with colorful umbrellas and comfortable lounge chairs, a tiny slice of paradise in the Land of Explorers. When it comes to accessibility, Praia da Rocha hits the mark with large wooden walkways, flat terrain, ramped beach entrances, handicap-accessible restrooms and reserved parking. While the beach itself doesn’t have beach wheelchairs available to rent, travelers can work through local companies to book their mobility device of choice.

Rialto Beach, Washington

Featuring four distinct ecosystems — coast, lowland forest, temperate rainforest and mountains — Washington’s Olympic National Park is best known for its remarkable diversity. A visit to this iconic natural area deserves a spot on every outdoor enthusiast's bucket list, and, in just a few days, travelers can experience all the park’s unique zones for themselves. While the region’s varying terrain with its tumbled rocks, mossy trails and snow-capped summits isn’t the first to come to mind when one thinks “accessibility,” each summer, one idyllic spot is easily accessed by all: Rialto Beach. Beginning at the beach’s handicap-accessible parking area, visitors can roam a short, level pathway to the Insta-famous pebble-covered beach. The route is smooth and comfortable, providing all visitors the opportunity to observe the region’s unique wildlife like otters, seals, pelicans and sometimes, during their migration season, even gray whales.

Siesta Beach, Florida

Situated an hour south of Tampa, Florida’s Siesta Key is a charming barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, visitors spend their days perusing colorful storefronts, marveling at natural formations like Point of Rocks with its shallow tidal pools and coral reefs and enjoying the all-around beauty of the great outdoors. And, luckily for travelers with mobility devices, if they’re visiting Siesta Key, they can also spend some time at one of Florida’s best accessible beaches: Siesta Beach. At Siesta Beach, wheelchair users can opt to stay in their own chair or rent a manual beach wheelchair onsite for no extra charge. Once they decide how they want to get around, travelers can head to the shore via Siesta Beach’s 400-foot-long Mobi-Mat which extends onto the sand and has several opportunities for visitors to pull over and enjoy the view.

The Makings of an Accessible Beach

While beaches around the world are taking steps in the right direction, not all accessible beaches are created equal. Here are a few things to look for when assisting clients with mobility needs. 

• Parking Lots: Does the beach have disabled parking spaces? How far from the beach is the lot?
• Boardwalks, Mobi Mats, Ramps and more: These promenades make getting from place to place easier and more enjoyable for those using mobility devices.
• Equipment For Rent: From different styles of all-terrain wheelchairs and powered scooters to walkers and crutches, know what mobility aids are available to your clients either at the beach or from a company nearby.
• Other Facilities: Don’t forget to investigate the basics like accessible restrooms, showers and changing areas.

Originally appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of The Compass magazine.