Wheelchair Access To Miami’s Beaches

Miami’s stunning beaches, with their soft, white sand and turquoise waters that tempt one to sunbathe, swim and float all day, are the destination’s crown jewels, and each beach community works hard to ensure that every local and visitor has access to them. Ready for a day at the beach? This guide tells you all you need to know about accessible beaches with wheelchair-friendly paths, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathrooms and free beach wheelchairs.

Miami Beach Accessibility

The Beachwalk

The City of Miami Beach goes above and beyond to accommodate people with mobility issues. The Beachwalk, a wide, hard-surface pathway that runs the entire length of the city on the west side of the dunes, has more than 20 beach access points that connect the path with the ocean side of the dunes and disability parking. These pathways offer either boardwalks or specially designed mats that allow wheelchair users access to the beach.

Beach Wheelchair Pickup Spots

The City of Miami Beach offers two manual beach wheelchairs free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at two locations: South Pointe Park and the Ocean Rescue Headquarters at 1001 Ocean Drive. You’ll sign a waiver to ensure that you will return the wheelchair. Call (305) 673-7714 to check for availability. Note that none of the boardwalks or beach mats run all the way to the water. You’ll need a friend or family member to assist you.

Miami Beach Access Points for Visitors with Mobility Challenges

Miami Beach access points are listed from the south end of Miami Beach. Most of the pathways are made of Brazilian hardwood, some have mats, and some are close to ADA-compliant bathrooms and public parking.

North Beach Oceanside Park, with 28 acres stretching half a mile along the ocean from 79th to 87th streets, has been recently renovated. The park’s three bathrooms, as well as shelters, trails and picnic areas, are connected to the Beachwalk by wheelchair-accessible paths.

Surfside

The quiet, small town of Surfside is another blissful beach destination, flaunting a pristine, mile-long stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach. Surfside is primarily a residential area, with high-end resorts and condominiums lining the oceanfront. Wheelchair access is available at the 88th Street and 96th Street entrances to the beach. One beach wheelchair, available to local residents and those staying at a Surfside hotel, is available at 93rd Street and can only be used at that beach. Reserve it at the Town of Surfside Parks and Recreation Department at the Community Center.

Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach is a beautiful oceanside town with public parks, a fishing pier and more than 20 paved or concrete wheelchair beach access points. The city also offers accessible parking, showers and restrooms at some locations. The access point at Samson Oceanfront Park features a Mobi-mat. Beach wheelchairs are available at lifeguard towers. View a full list of amenities and access points.

Haulover Park

Sprawling Haulover Park, located north of Miami Beach near Sunny Isles Beach, features shaded picnic grounds and 1.4 miles of beachfront. There is handicap parking and mat pathways to the beach near the main Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Station and at a bathroom near the south end of the park. You can borrow beach wheelchairs at the lifeguard headquarters at 14379 Collins Ave. Note that the north section of the beach is clothing optional.

Key Biscayne

Crandon Park Beach, located on the north end of tranquil Key Biscayne, has two wheelchair-accessible mats to the sand on the north and the south sides and offers manual beach wheelchairs at the lifeguard stations.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, has a Mobi-mat access point at Beach Access No. 6 next to the Lighthouse Cafe, accessible picnic pavilions, showers and restaurants. Two manual beach wheelchairs and two swimming wheelchairs are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the bicycle rental office inside the park.

Coral Gables

The beach at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables is quite a sight for visitors as it faces a 400-foot atoll saltwater pool that is constantly refreshed by surrounding Biscayne Bay. An accessible path goes around the pool, and a beach wheelchair is available from lifeguards. Nobody is allowed in the water when lifeguards are not present.

Rent A Beach Wheelchair

The Special Needs Group, a company that specializes in travel arrangements for people with disabilities, rents Joy on the Beach wheelchairs, which can be rolled on the sand and into the water. The wheelchairs can be delivered to hotels, resorts and residential units.

Wheel the World, the international organization that helps travelers with disabilities get around and find lodging, has partners that deliver beach wheelchairs to hotels. Reserve one online and be ready to supply specific dates, the height and weight of the person who will use the chair and the address where the equipment is to be delivered and picked up.

Find more information and resources about accessible travel in Miami.