4 Best Beach Wheelchairs for Mobility in 2024
The beach is a peaceful retreat for many people, but for those with mobility problems or who are wheelchair users, accessing it can be difficult. Luckily, there are specialized beach wheelchairs that make it possible for people of all abilities to enjoy this special place. This post will cover all you need to know to get your own beach wheelchair and answer commonly asked questions.
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Best Beach Wheelchairs in 2024
1. Beach Wheelchair with 12-inch Inflatable Tires
This beach wheelchair is your best option in terms of price. However, there are some limitations with this chair. It is bulky and would need to be taken apart for transportation. Also, it has fixed wheels, making it one of the most challenging to push on the sand. Additionally, it doesn’t submerge into the water, the large tires makes it float. Overall, if you are looking for the most inexpensive option to take you to the beach, this would fit the bill.
Click here for more information about the beach wheelchair with 12-inch inflatable tires.
2. AccessRec Terra Wheels All-Terrain Wheelchair for Beach
This mid-range priced option is easier to push in the sand than the first wheelchair as it has three wheels vs four, and the back wheel is on a caster, so it turns. A harness comes with the chair, allowing for more support for those with core strength problems. Getting into this beach wheelchair is also a bit easier as the foot pedals fold up, allowing for a better transfer. However, it would still float in the water due to the size of the wheels.
Click here for more information on the AccessRec Terra Wheels All-Terrain Wheelchair.
3. Waterwheels Floating Beach Wheelchair
If you want to go into the water while at the beach, this is the best beach wheelchair to do just that. Smaller wheels and arm floats allow the person using the chair to go into the water and relax while getting wet. This is another three wheeled beach wheelchair with the front wheel being on a caster for easier maneuverability. There is an adjustable high back for support.
Click here for more information about the Waterwheels Floating Beach Wheelchair.
4. Vipamat Hippocampe Beach All Terrain Wheelchair
While this wheelchair is the most expensive of the four, it may also be the most versatile. The construction of the chair allows for the option for a person to self-propel along the beach or be pushed by a caregiver. It can also go in the water, but there are no arm floats. It can also quickly disassemble for easier transportation.
Click here for more information on the Vipamat Hippocampe Beach All Terrain Wheelchair.
Should You Buy or Rent a Beach Wheelchair?
When you are considering whether to purchase a beach wheelchair vs renting one, there are a couple of things to consider. First, how often do you plan to use the chair? If you will be using a beach wheelchair on a regular basis, it may make sense to invest in one.
Second, how do you plan to transport your beach wheelchair? Depending on the model you choose, it will determine the ease or difficulty in getting the chair from place to place. If your vehicle is not capable of transporting the chair, it may be better to rent vs buy.
Lastly, are there nearby places that offer free beach wheelchairs for you to use? If you have access to a free chair, it really doesn’t make sense to purchase one.
Where to Rent a Beach Wheelchair
Many beach communities in the United States offer the ability to rent a beach wheelchair either for free or for a cost. I will list some options below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and is meant to give you an idea of what is out there and where to search.
Be aware that there are assorted styles of beach wheelchairs available to rent and you may not get to choose the style that is available.
Free Beach Wheelchair Rentals
California
Since there are numerous beaches all along California’s coast, there would be way too many to mention here that offer beach wheelchairs. Instead, go to this website for the most up to date information and how to reserve a beach wheelchair.
Florida
Many of the state parks received all-terrain wheelchairs as part of a grant or donations from the community. Check with the state park you plan to visit for availability.
Hawaii
Each of the four major Hawaiian Islands have beaches that offer free all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors to use. They must be reserved.
- Kamaole Beach
Contact the department of parks and recreation at (808) 768-3027 to reserve a chair
- Ala Moana Beach Park
- Fort DeRussy Beach
- Sans Souci Beach
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
- Kailua Beach Park
- Kualoa Regional Park
- Pokai Beach Park
Call (808) 241-4984 to reserve a beach wheelchair. It will be available at the lifeguard station.
- Poi Pu Beach
- Salt Pond Beach
- Lydgate Beach
Maryland
North Carolina
South Carolina
Texas
Beach Wheelchair Rentals for a Cost
More and more beach areas are offering beach wheelchairs that are available to rent for a price. The most popular beaches in the US often have this option even if it’s not widely advertised. Check the tourism website for the beach you are planning to visit as well as rental shops in the area. This should give you more information on where you can rent a beach wheelchair in the area.
FAQ’s
In this section, I’ll answer the most asked questions about beach wheelchairs.
Do You Need a Beach Wheelchair to Visit the Beach?
Having a beach wheelchair will allow you full access to the beach. That being said, some beaches have rubber mats that allow partial access to the beach in your own wheelchair. Sometimes these mats (often called Mobi Mats) will go all the way to the water, but most of the time, they only go part way on the sand. If you would like to go into the water, you will need a beach wheelchair.
How Much Do Beach Wheelchairs Cost?
Wheelchairs are not cheap, and beach wheelchairs are no exception. The lower end chairs (that have large, fixed wheels) start at around $1,000. The higher end chairs can cost up to $4,000. Deciding whether the cost is worth it is entirely up to you.
If you are looking at the cost of renting a beach wheelchair, that typically is an average of $70/per day. This does not factor in any associated delivery costs. Price may vary by location as well.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of a Beach Wheelchair?
Typically, insurance companies focus on functionality and not quality of life. Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of an all-terrain or beach wheelchair, leaving individuals to cover the cost themselves.
Are Beach Wheelchairs Hard to Push?
All beach wheelchairs will be easier to push in hard sand vs soft dense sand, however, the overall difficulty of pushing the chair will be determined by the model you choose or is available. Wheelchairs that have fixed wheels will be the most difficult to maneuver while chairs with at least one swivel wheel will be easier.
Can Beach Wheelchairs Go into the Water?
Many of the all-terrain wheelchairs can go into the water, however, the larger the inflatable wheels the more the chair will float vs being able to submerge. When the chairs float, they can become unstable and tip over so it’s best to get one that is designed to go in the water. If you’d like to enjoy a dip in the water, a chair like the waterwheels floating beach wheelchair will be your best option.
Can You Put Beach Wheels on a Regular Wheelchair?
If you are thinking about adapting your own personal wheelchair for all-terrain use, you have a couple of options. Be aware that these options are only available for manual wheelchair users. If you utilize a powered wheelchair, you will need to either rent or purchase a beach wheelchair to fully access the beach.
The first option for adapting your manual wheelchair is to get all-terrain wheels and add a front wheel attachment. These will allow your wheelchair to go on various surfaces more easily. They will work best on compacted sand.
The other option is to get an inflatable wheel conversion kit like this one. It comes with a frame that can attach to most foldable manual wheelchairs, a front caster wheel and two fixed wheels in the back.
Conclusion
Beach wheelchairs make beaches accessible to people with mobility problems. They offer the chance to enjoy the sun and sea but come at a high price. Deciding whether to rent or buy a beach wheelchair is a personal choice and based on many factors. Hopefully, this post has helped let you know the models available, weigh the pros and cons, given you some things to consider and provided helpful information no matter what decision you make.
