Wheelchair Access to Miami's Beaches
Among Miami's most well-known attractions are its beaches, many of which are getting easier for wheelchair users to reach. Nearly everywhere you go in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand isn’t far away. And the many communities work hard to make their beautiful beaches accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Our guide to accessible beaches provides helpful information on wheelchair-friendly paths, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathrooms and free beach wheelchairs. Here is a list of some of the top locations for beach access:
South Beach: Being one of Miami's finest beaches, South Beach has wheelchair-accessible boardwalks and beach mats to make the sand easier to walk on. There are accessible driveways and amenities at the beach.
Miami Beach Boardwalk: This coastal walkway offers wheelchair users a smooth surface and incredible views of the ocean. There are accessible parking spaces and bathrooms spread out along the boardwalk.
Crandon Park: Located in Key Biscayne, Crandon Park features accessible beach mats, picnic areas, and restrooms. The park's dedication to accessibility ensures a pleasant experience for all visitors.
Virginia Key Beach Park: This park offers a range of accessible features, including beach mats, wheelchair rentals, and accessible restrooms. The park's commitment to inclusivity makes it a great choice for a beach day.
Miami Beach Accessibility
The Beachwalk
The City of Miami Beach does more than many beach communities 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 with disability parking that connect the path with the ocean side of the dunes. 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 office at 1001 Ocean Drive. You’ll need to leave a deposit, such as a personal wheelchair or driver’s license, to ensure that you will bring back the beach wheelchair. Call (305) 673-7714 to check 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 to push the beach wheelchair.
Miami Beach Access Points for Visitors with Mobility Challenges
These Miami Beach access points are listed with the length and material of the pathways to the sand. The list starts from the south end of Miami Beach. Pathways made of ipe, a Brazilian hardwood, are noted, as are the paths near ADA-compliant bathrooms.
- South Pointe Park Drive-over – 110 feet (bathrooms)
- South Pointe Drive south – 83 feet (ipe)
- South Pointe Drive north – 100 feet (ipe)
- 3rd Street – 126 feet (bathrooms)
- 4th Street – 90 feet
- 4.75 Street (between 4th and 5th Streets) – 130 feet
- 6th Street – 295 feet (bathrooms)
- 8th Street – 316 feet
- 10th Street – 130 feet (ipe and bathrooms)
- 12th Street – 350 feet
- 14th Street – 233 feet (bathrooms)
- 14th Place – 65 feet (ipe)
- 15th Street – 50 feet (ipe)
- Lincoln Road – 80 feet (ipe)
- 17th Street – 70 feet (ipe)
- 21st Street – 75 feet (ipe and bathrooms)
- 64th Street (solid surface path and bathrooms)
- 69th Street – 83 feet
- 71st Street – 99 feet
- 74th Street – 133 feet
- 75th Street – 200 feet (bathrooms)
- 78th Street – 60 feet (ipe)
North Beach Oceanside Park, with 28 acres stretching half a mile along the ocean from 79th Street to 87th Street, is scheduled for an extensive renovation to be completed in the fall of 2023. However, access is not affected by the work. The park’s three bathrooms, as well as shelters, trails and picnic areas, are connected to the Beachwalk by wheelchair-accessible paths.
Surfside
Surfside is a small town on the barrier island with a mile of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beach. It is primarily a residential area, with resorts and condominiums lining the oceanfront. Wheelchair access is available at the 88th Street and 96th Street entrances to the beach.
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach has 11 public parks, a fishing pier and 20 paver or paved access points to its beaches. 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 the 10 lifeguard towers. A full list of amenities and access points is available on the city's website.
Haulover Park
Haulover Park is just north of Miami Beach near Sunny Isles Beach. The 177-acre park features 1.4 miles of beachfront as well as 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 station. Note that the north section of the beach is clothing optional.
Key Biscayne
Crandon Park Beach, on the north end of tranquil Key Biscayne, has a wheelchair-accessible path to the sand and offers manual beach wheelchairs at the lifeguard stations.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, has two manual beach wheelchairs available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the bicycle rental office inside the park.
Coral Gables
The beach at Miami-Dade County’s Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables is unusual because it faces a 400-foot-diameter seawater pool that is surrounded by a manmade atoll but is constantly refreshed by surrounding Biscayne Bay. An accessible path goes around the pool, and a beach wheelchair is available from lifeguards. People are not 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 go in the water. The wheelchairs can be delivered to hotels, resorts and residential units. Call (800) 513-4515 or reserve on the website.
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 or call (628) 900-7778. 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.
Accessible Attractions in Miami
Miami boasts a range of attractions that cater to various accessibility needs. Some highlights include:
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: This historic estate's accessible walkways and amenities allow guests to explore the breathtaking gardens and museum displays.
The Miami Seaquarium makes sure that everybody gets to experience its many facilities by providing wheelchair-accessible corridors and chairs. It is well-known for its displays and performances of aquatic life. Art enthusiasts should definitely visit the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), which features cutting-edge architecture and a strong accessibility policy. It has accessible facilities, exhibition areas, and entrances.
Miami Children's Museum: This accessible museum was designed with ramps, elevators, and inclusive interactive displays for children of all abilities in mind.
Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a destination where visitors of all abilities are welcome to stay and play. There’s so much to do and see in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, and many of the top sightseeing spots are easy to navigate for visitors with mobility challenges.
Deering Estate
A must-visit attraction is the Deering Estate, the 1920s home of industrialist Charles Deering, with its dreamy waterfront location, storied history and beautiful natural surroundings. The two historic houses are equipped with ramps and elevators that allow wheelchair access. Outdoor paths (some gravel and grass) offer the chance to enjoy time by the bay. A path leads to the boat basin, where people enjoy overlooking the water. Guests can borrow one of the complimentary push wheelchairs if desired, and security is there to assist.
Zoo Miami
If you want to see gorgeous pink flamingos and animals from all over the world, head to Zoo Miami. If you aren’t traveling with your own wheelchair, you’ll want to plan ahead and reserve a rental push or motorized wheelchair online prior to your visit. There is also a narrated tram tour of the Asia and Africa exhibits, which can accommodate up to two push wheelchairs or one motorized wheelchair.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
If you’re in South Beach, spend some time in nature at the lush Miami Beach Botanical Garden. This three-acre tropical oasis features fountains, a koi pond and gardens filled with various species of plants and trees. The majority of the paths in the garden are concrete and allow close access to view orchids, trees and other plants. Call ahead to reserve a push wheelchair.
Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts
Want to enjoy a night of culture? There are many places to soak up the arts, including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. This venue, which offers programming throughout the year, has accessible seating for all performances and events, as well as assistive listening devices. Sign language interpretation, open captioning and audio description are offered at select performances.
National Parks & Preserves
Miami is just a short drive to three unparalleled natural environments: Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Each offers memorable experiences for travelers with disabilities.
For more ideas about must-see accessible attractions, check out Spin the Globe, 10 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Miami.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
To make your visit to Miami as enjoyable as possible, consider these tips:
Plan Ahead: Before visiting an attraction or beach, check the accessibility details. Many places offer information on their websites or can provide details upon request.
Transportation: Miami's public transportation system includes accessible options, but it’s always a good idea to confirm details in advance. Consider using ride-sharing services with accessible vehicles if needed.
Stay Informed: Keep up with local accessibility updates and changes. Accessibility features and policies can evolve, so staying informed will help you plan your visit more effectively.
Find resources and more information about accessible travel in Miami.
Accessibility Advocates in Miami
Many groups and organizations that make sure people with disabilities may enjoy Miami's offers support the city's dedication to accessibility. Local organizations work to advocate for better infrastructure, provide more accessible public areas, and offer services that facilitate tourists' navigation of the city.
By promoting accessibility improvements and increasing awareness, these activists help to make Miami a more inviting destination for all tourists. Through efforts such as providing accessible transit alternatives and comprehensive recommendations on local attractions, all visitors are able to fully enjoy Miami's offerings.
Across the globe, accessibility advocates have made huge strides in improving the lives – and travel experiences – of people who have mobility challenges and other disabilities. We’re proud to say that leaders and organizers in Greater Miami & Miami Beach work hard to create an inclusive environment for all travelers. Read more about accessibility advocates in Miami and their good work.
Miami’s Focus On Accessibility
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) professional and compliance attorney Heidi Johnson-Wright uses her own personal experiences and knowledge to create a better path for those who face physical challenges. As the ADA Coordinator of Miami-Dade County, Johnson-Wright works to ensure that every county facility, program, service and activity is accessible to and usable by those with disabilities.
Another powerful force is Sabrina Cohen, who was paralyzed in a car accident as a teenager. She created the Sabrina Cohen Foundation to champion quality-of-life initiatives for the disabled community. Since 2013, Cohen has worked with the City of Miami Beach to develop more inclusive outdoor spaces. She’s currently working toward creating an oceanside, 16,000-square-foot Adaptive Recreation Center on Collins Avenue that will cater to those with mobility challenges. This will be a place for accessible exercise and recreation as well as access to the beach. Plans include an oceanside adaptive park where children of all abilities can play together.
It’s a treat to spend time on sparkling Biscayne Bay, and Shake-A-Leg-Miami is another longtime local organization helping to make local waters and outdoor environments accessible to everyone. Based in Coconut Grove, it offers sailing and watersports for children and adults who have physical, developmental and economic challenges as well as their families. Programming includes environmental lessons, therapeutic sailing, swimming, kayaking and much more.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind is a center that helps more than 90,000 blind and visually impaired people of all ages and their families each year. The organization offers transformational help, including programs that help individuals build skillsets to gain employment and manage daily tasks to keep their independence. Additionally, there are research initiatives and vision enhancement efforts like free glasses to needy children. Those ages 25 to 40 can get involved in the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) group, for networking and fundraising efforts that benefit the center’s mission.
Color vision deficiency affects the lives of tens of millions of people, hindering their daily lives from work to home. Those who are color deficient can seek help from EnChroma, which has locations throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach, and offers special glasses that address the symptoms of red-green color blindness.
Find resources and more information about accessible travel in Miami.
This compiled from a series of posts by Angela Caraway-Carlton July 2023 from Greater Miami Visitor's Bureau
