Many people enjoy heading to the beach for rest and relaxation. However, accessing the sand and sea isn’t always easy for people with disabilities. Many wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers won’t work on beaches without compact sand, and even if they do, sand and seawater can cause equipment damage.
Fortunately, some beaches around the world make it easier for people with disabilities to enjoy a trip to the beach. “Beaches that have wheelchair mats that go all the way to the water are the best,” said Paul Choquette, a wheelchair user and travel expert with AccessibleGo, a travel booking platform specializing in accessible travel. He also looks for beaches with specially designed wheelchairs that can be used on the beach.
Here’s a look at some of the best accessible beaches around the world.
Barcelona has gone to extraordinary lengths to make one of its most popular beaches accessible. Nova Icària Beach offers mats allowing wheelchair users to access the water, amphibian wheelchairs that go into the water, adaptive water sports and an accessible changing room. During select hours, volunteers help beachgoers with reduced mobility enter and leave the water safely.
Crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is known for its beautiful coral sands and clear blue waters. Mobi-mats allow wheelchair users to cross the beach and take a dip in the sea. Beach wheelchairs are also available to rent. Those who want to go under the ocean can book an adaptive PADI diving session with one of Grand Cayman’s dive centers. Seven Mile Beach also has accessible restrooms and showers.
During the summer, mats traverse North Carolina’s Oak Island Beach to make it easier for wheelchair users to soak up the rays. Disabled beachgoers can reserve a specially designed wheelchair to help them access the beach more easily or opt for a floating wheelchair that enables them to enjoy the ocean. The beach also includes ramps at select access points and accessible changing rooms.
Every summer, Leighton Beach in Fremantle, Western Australia, installs mats across the beach to help disabled visitors enjoy the sand and surf more easily. Beachgoers can also borrow wheelchairs and walkers designed for use on the beach at no extra charge. Adaptive surfing is available on select days. The beach also features accessible paths to its café, bathrooms, changing rooms and parking lot.
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FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
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