Key Findings
- Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York, is the most wheelchair accessible beach in the contiguous U.S.
- Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey have the highest average beach accessibility scores.
- 94% of beaches make getting across the sand accessible, but only 19% make getting into the water accessible.
- The study found only 277 beaches with online accessibility resources thorough enough to provide a clear picture of their accessibility offerings.
Finding a beautiful beach is easy. Finding an accessible beach with inclusive design that you can actually use with a physical disability can, unfortunately, be very difficult.
Wheelchair-accessibility information in the U.S. is very scattered, and that’s true of beaches as much as anything else. You might have to scan government websites and park pages, advocacy resources and local travel guides. Even so, when a beach is labeled “accessible,” it reveals little about what infrastructure and services you will encounter there.
Does accessible parking lead to an accessible route to the sand? Are there accessible paths across the sand? Does the locality offer beach wheelchairs? Are the restrooms and showers accessible? Is there an accessible method to actually get into the water?
Recognizing how hard these answers are to find, Beach.com set out to build the first national database of physical accessibility infrastructure and services at beaches in the contiguous U.S., coast to coast, manually verifying 11 key accessibility features at each beach.
These barrier-free designs include ADA parking, accessible boardwalks and beach access mats (Mobi-mats), availability of sand or amphibious wheelchairs, drive-on beach access, and more. The process ultimately took 2.5 months, well over twice the expected time, largely due to the extreme fragmentation and inconsistency of accessibility information online.
We initially identified over 400 beaches with above-average accessibility information; however, only 277 had enough thorough resources to meet our extremely strict final inclusion standards. These beaches include some of the country’s best-known destinations, such as Siesta Key Beach in Florida, which ranked #13 best overall in the analysis. However, many of the most accessible beaches rarely dominate national travel rankings. In fact, the #1 most accessible beach in our analysis was Jones Beach State Park in New York.
The US National Database of Accessible Beaches
The complete national database for the contiguous U.S. below is designed to answer questions that a simple “accessible” label cannot: What specific accessible amenities does this beach offer? Each infrastructure and service category below indicates whether the amenity is explicitly confirmed as accessible (Y) or not confirmed (N). “N” does not mean it’s not available; it just means it’s not confirmed as available.
| Rank | Beach | City, State |
Parking | Trail / Boardwalk / Pier |
Beach Access Mat |
Beach Wheelchair |
Amphibious Wheelchair |
Restrooms | Picnic / Seating |
Showers | Vehicle Beach Access |
Beach Walker |
Camping | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jones Beach State Park | Wantagh, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 8.65 |
| 2 | Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park | Key Biscayne, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 8.61 |
| 3 | Moonlight State Beach | Encinitas, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 8.56 |
| 3 | Robert Moses State Park | Long Island, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 8.56 |
| 4 | Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion | Tybee Island, Georgia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | 8.36 |
| 5 | M.B. Miller County Pier | Panama City Beach, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | 8.31 |
| 6 | First Landing State Park | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 8.22 |
| 7 | Carolina Beach | Pleasure Island, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 8.04 |
| 8 | William J. Rish Recreational Park | Cape San Blas, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 8.02 |
| 9 | Beach at Avalon NJ | Avalon, New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 7.83 |
| 10 | Dockweiler State Beach | Playa del Rey, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 7.73 |
| 11 | Cape Henlopen State Park | Lewes, Delaware | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 7.69 |
| 12 | Hampton Beach | Hampton, New Hampshire | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 7.66 |
| 13 | Siesta Key Beach | Sarasota, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.6 |
| 14 | Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk | Atlantic City , New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 7.52 |
| 15 | Will Rogers State Beach | Pacific Palisades, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.49 |
| 15 | Fernandina Beach – Main Beach Park | Fernandina Beach, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 7.49 |
| 15 | Navarre Beach | Navarre, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.49 |
| 15 | Rockaway Beach | New York, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 7.49 |
| 16 | Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | St. George Island, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 7.48 |
| 16 | Belmar Beach | Belmar, New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 7.48 |
| 16 | Asbury Park Beach | Asbury Park, New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 7.48 |
| 16 | Seal Beach | Seal Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.48 |
| 17 | Rehoboth Beach | Rehoboth Beach, Delaware | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 7.47 |
| 17 | East Beach | Santa Barbara, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.47 |
| 18 | Ocean Isle Beach | Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.43 |
| 19 | Sand Key Park | Clearwater, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 7.34 |
| 20 | Kill Devil Hills Public Beach | Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | 7.29 |
| 21 | Scarborough North State Beach | Narragansett, Rhode Island | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | 7.2 |
| 22 | Anastasia State Park | St. Augustine, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 7.15 |
| 23 | China Camp State Park | San Rafael, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 7.12 |
| 23 | Delaware Seashore State Park | Rehoboth Beach, Delaware | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 7.12 |
| 23 | Stewart Beach | Galveston, Texas | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | 7.12 |
| 24 | Mother's Beach | Kennebunk, Maine | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | 7.02 |
| 25 | Venice Beach | Venice Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 7.01 |
| 26 | Huntington City Beach | Huntington Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.99 |
| 26 | Gulf Shores Main Public Beach | Gulf Shores, Alabama | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.99 |
| 27 | Hollywood Beach | Hollywood, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.98 |
| 27 | John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | Key Largo, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 6.98 |
| 28 | Lighthouse Park Beach | Sanibel, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.96 |
| 28 | Lowdermilk Park | Naples, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.96 |
| 29 | Folly Beach | Folly Beach, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.95 |
| 29 | Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.95 |
| 29 | Treasure Island Municipal Beach | Treasure Island, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.95 |
| 30 | Zuma Beach County Park | Malibu, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Miami Beach – South Beach | Miami Beach , Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Crissy Field East Beach | San Francisco, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Haulover Beach | Sunny Isles Beach, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Driessen Beach Park | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Assateague Island National Seashore | Newark, Maryland | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | 6.94 |
| 30 | Stinson Beach | Stinson Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Ferry Beach State Park | Saco, Maine | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | James Lee Park | Destin, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 30 | Islanders Beach Park | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.94 |
| 31 | South Beach – Gold Beach | Gold Beach, Oregon | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.93 |
| 31 | Beach Access #3 – Gulf Circle | South Padre Island, Texas | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 6.93 |
| 32 | Casino Beach | Pensacola, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 6.89 |
| 33 | Grayton Beach State Park | Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.77 |
| 34 | Scusset Beach State Reservation | Sandwich, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 6.76 |
| 34 | Assateague Beach | Chincoteague, Virginia | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.76 |
| 34 | Nahant Beach Reservation | Nahant, Massachusetts | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.76 |
| 35 | Wells Beach | Wells, Maine | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 6.75 |
| 35 | Coquina Beach | Nags Head, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.75 |
| 36 | Old Orchard Beach | Old Orchard Beach, Maine | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | 6.66 |
| 37 | Ditch Plains Beach | Montauk, New York | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.57 |
| 37 | Indian Wells Beach | Amagansett, New York | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.57 |
| 37 | Dewey Beach | Dewey Beach, Delaware | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.57 |
| 38 | Brighton Beach | New York, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.53 |
| 39 | Coquina Beach | Bradenton Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | 6.51 |
| 40 | Hermosa Beach | Hermosa Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.43 |
| 41 | Seaside Beach | Seaside, Oregon | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.41 |
| 41 | Higgs Beach | Key West, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.41 |
| 41 | Carpinteria State Beach | Carpinteria, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.41 |
| 41 | La Jolla Shores Beach | San Diego, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.41 |
| 41 | Silver Strand State Beach | Coronado, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.41 |
| 41 | Clearwater Beach | Clearwater, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.41 |
| 41 | MacKerricher State Park | Mendocino, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.41 |
| 42 | Little Talbot Island State Park | Jacksonville, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.4 |
| 42 | Goleta Beach County Park | Goleta, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Beverly Beach State Park | Newport, Oregon | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.4 |
| 42 | Folly Field Beach Park | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area | Flagler Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.4 |
| 42 | Bolsa Chica State Beach | Huntington Beach, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.4 |
| 42 | Surfside Beach | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Park West North Beach | Pensacola, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Langdon Beach | Pensacola, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Silver Strand Beach | Oxnard, California | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.4 |
| 42 | Long Beach | Long Beach, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Ed Walline Beach Access | Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 42 | Manhattan Beach | Manhattan Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.4 |
| 43 | Torrance County Beach | Torrance, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.39 |
| 43 | Sea Isle City Beach | Sea Isle City, New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.39 |
| 43 | Treasure Island Circle Beach Access #11 | South Padre Island, Texas | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 6.39 |
| 43 | Neptune Circle Beach Access #16 | South Padre Island, Texas | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 6.39 |
| 43 | Great Dunes Park | Jekyll Island, Georgia | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.39 |
| 43 | Bethany Beach | Bethany Beach, Delaware | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.39 |
| 43 | Francis Beach | Half Moon Bay, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.39 |
| 43 | Gulfport Mississippi Beaches | Gulfport, Mississippi | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.39 |
| 43 | Doheny State Beach | Dana Point, California | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.39 |
| 44 | Long Branch Beach | Long Branch, New Jersey | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.31 |
| 45 | Sebastian Inlet State Park | Melbourne Beach, Florida | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6.25 |
| 46 | Spanish River Park | Boca Raton, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 46 | Carlin Park | Jupiter, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 46 | Taft Waterfront Park | Lincoln City, Oregon | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 46 | McGee Beach | Corpus Christi, Texas | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 46 | Torrey Pines State Beach | Del Mar, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 46 | Margate Beach: Huntington Avenue | Margate, New Jersey | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.22 |
| 47 | Wildwood Beach | Wildwood, New Jersey | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.21 |
| 47 | Oak Island Public Beach | Oak Island, North Carolina | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.21 |
| 48 | Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach , Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | 6.09 |
| 49 | Grommet Island Park | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | 6.04 |
| 49 | Revere Beach Reservation | Revere, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.04 |
| 50 | Ocean City Beach | Ocean City, New Jersey | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 6.03 |
| 50 | Nags Head Public Beach | Nags Head, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | 6.03 |
| 51 | Manatee Public Beach | Holmes Beach, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | 5.98 |
| 52 | Sunset Beach | Sunset Beach, North Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | 5.94 |
| 53 | Fort de Soto Park | St. Petersburg, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 5.9 |
| 54 | Henderson Beach State Park | Destin, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 5.89 |
| 55 | East Beach | Galveston, Texas | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | 5.86 |
| 55 | Constitution Beach Park | East Boston, Massachusetts | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 5.86 |
| 55 | Doran Beach Regional Park | Bodega Bay, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 5.86 |
| 56 | D River State Recreation Site | Lincoln City, Oregon | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.78 |
| 57 | Bunche Beach Preserve | Fort Myers, Florida | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.77 |
| 58 | Coligny Beach Park | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.72 |
| 59 | Jockey's Ridge State Park | Outer Banks, North Carolina | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.7 |
| 59 | Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park | Naples, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.7 |
| 60 | Crown Memorial State Beach | Alameda, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.69 |
| 60 | Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park | Dania Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.69 |
| 60 | John D. MacArthur Beach State Park | North Palm Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.69 |
| 60 | Beasley Beach Park | Fort Walton Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.69 |
| 60 | San Buenaventura State Beach | Ventura, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.69 |
| 61 | Horseneck Beach State Reservation | Westport, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 5.68 |
| 61 | Baker Beach | San Francisco, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Natural Bridges State Beach | Santa Cruz, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Fenwick Island State Park | Fenwick Island, Delaware | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Fish Haul Beach Park | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Coronado City Beach | Coronado, California | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Don & Ann Davis Park | Newport, Oregon | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Fort Ross State Historic Park | Jenner, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Newport Beach Municipal Beach | Newport Beach, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Avila Beach | Avila Beach, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Roger W. Wheeler State Beach | Narragansett, Rhode Island | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Capitola City Beach | Capitola, California | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Oceanview Beach Park | Jekyll Island, Georgia | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 61 | Gualala Point Regional Park | Sonoma, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.68 |
| 62 | Scarborough Beach State Park | Scarborough, Maine | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Santa Clara Regional Beach | Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Jetty Park Beach | Cape Canaveral, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Beach Access #6 Seaside Circle | South Padre Island, Texas | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | 5.67 |
| 62 | Oceanside City Beach | Oceanside, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Mission Beach | San Diego, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Salty Brine State Beach | Narragansett, Rhode Island | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | June White Decker Park | Destin, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Manhattan Beach | New York, New York | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 62 | Scarborough South State Beach | Narragansett, Rhode Island | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.67 |
| 63 | Port Aransas Beach | Port Aransas, Texas | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 5.5 |
| 63 | Crescent Beach | St. Augustine, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 5.5 |
| 64 | Ocracoke Beach | Ocracoke , North Carolina | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 5.49 |
| 64 | Long Beach Beach | Long Beach, Washington | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 5.49 |
| 65 | Misquamicut State Beach | Westerly, Rhode Island | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | 5.42 |
| 66 | Fort Phoenix State Reservation | Fairhaven, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.41 |
| 67 | Malaquite Beach | Corpus Christi, Texas | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 5.4 |
| 68 | Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area | Oceano, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | 5.33 |
| 69 | Grand Isle State Park | Grand Isle, Louisiana | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 5.32 |
| 70 | Pleasure Bay | South Boston, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | 5.31 |
| 70 | Carson Beach | South Boston, Massachusetts | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.31 |
| 70 | Crandon Beach | Key Biscayne, Florida | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 5.31 |
| 71 | Harris Beach State Park | Brookings, Oregon | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.24 |
| 72 | Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site | Tolovana Park, Oregon | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.23 |
| 72 | Long Sands Beach | York, Maine | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.23 |
| 73 | Corona del Mar State Beach | Corona del Mar, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.16 |
| 73 | Lido Beach | Sarasota, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.16 |
| 74 | Manasota Key Beach | Englewood, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.15 |
| 74 | Sunset State Beach | Watsonville, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.15 |
| 75 | Ocean Reef Park | Riviera Beach, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Miramar Beach | Miramar Beach, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Johnson Beach | Pensacola, Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Santa Monica State Beach | Santa Monica, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Isle of Palms | Isle of Palms, South Carolina | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Aliso Beach | Laguna Beach, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | East Matunuck State Beach | South Kingstown, Rhode Island | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Fort Myers Beach | Fort Myers Beach , Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Refugio State Beach | Goleta, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.14 |
| 75 | The Virginia Beach Oceanfront | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Short Sands Beach | York, Maine | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Santa Cruz Main Beach | Santa Cruz, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Franklin B. Butler County Park | St. Augustine, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | South Carlsbad State Beach | Carlsbad, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.14 |
| 75 | Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock) | Cannon Beach, Oregon | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 75 | Heceta Beach County Park | Haceta Beach, Oregon | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.14 |
| 76 | Cabrillo Beach | Coastal San Pedro, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Fort Lauderdale Beach | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | N | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Jacksonville Beach | Jacksonville, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Inlet Beach | Panama City, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Popham Beach | Phippsburg, Maine | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Kitty Hawk Regional Public Beach | Kitty Hawk, North Carolina | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Pompano Beach | Pompano Beach , Florida | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Redondo Beach | Redondo Beach, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Topanga Beach | Topanga, California | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 76 | Bodega Dunes Beach | Bodega Bay, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.13 |
| 76 | San Clemente State Beach | San Clemente, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5.13 |
| 76 | Cowell Beach | Santa Cruz, California | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 5.13 |
| 77 | Meadowdale Beach Park | Edmonds, Washington | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.05 |
| 77 | Gulf State Park Pavilion | Gulf Shores, Alabama | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.05 |
| 77 | Cotton Bayou | Orange Beach, Alabama | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | 5.05 |
| 78 | Salisbury Beach State Reservation | Salisbury, Massachusetts | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.98 |
| 79 | Seacliff State Beach | Aptos, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 4.97 |
| 80 | Fort Pierce Inlet State Park | Fort Pierce, Florida | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 4.96 |
| 80 | Rockaway Beach | Rockaway Beach, Oregon | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | 4.96 |
| 81 | South Cape Beach State Park | Mashpee, Massachusetts | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 4.95 |
| 82 | Ocean Shores Beach | Ocean Shores, Washington | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | 4.78 |
| 82 | Island Beach State Park | Berkeley Township, New Jersey | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 4.78 |
| 83 | Nantasket Beach Reservation | Hull, Massachusetts | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 4.77 |
| 84 | Asilomar State Beach | Pacific Grove, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | 4.7 |
| 85 | Bayview Beach | Saco, Maine | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | 4.68 |
| 86 | Russian Gulch State Park | Mendocino, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 4.6 |
| 86 | Leo Carrillo State Beach | Malibu, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 4.6 |
| 87 | Morro Strand State Beach | Morro Bay, California | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.59 |
| 87 | New Brighton State Beach | Capitola, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 4.59 |
| 88 | Westport Light State Park | Westport, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | 4.51 |
| 89 | South Beach | New York, New York | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.5 |
| 90 | Edisto Beach State Park | Edisto Beach, South Carolina | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.43 |
| 91 | Ponquogue Beach | Hampton Bays, New York | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.42 |
| 91 | Malibu Lagoon State Beach | Malibu, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 4.42 |
| 92 | Wright's Beach | Bodega Bay, California | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 4.41 |
| 92 | Muir Beach | Muir Beach, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 4.41 |
| 92 | Goose Rocks Beach | Kennebunk, Maine | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.41 |
| 92 | North Myrtle Beach | North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.41 |
| 92 | Cedar Grove Beach | New York, New York | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.41 |
| 92 | Shirah Public Beach | Destin, Florida | Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 4.41 |
| 93 | New Smyrna Beach | New Smyrna Beach, Florida | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 4.24 |
| 94 | Pacific City Beach | Pacific City, Oregon | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 4.23 |
| 94 | Ship Island | Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | 4.23 |
| 95 | Fire Island National Seashore | Fire Island, New York | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.16 |
| 96 | Waikiki Beach | Ilwaco, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.14 |
| 96 | Benson Beach | Ilwaco, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.14 |
| 97 | Van Damme State Park | Little River, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.06 |
| 98 | Barview Jetty | Rockaway Beach, Oregon | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.05 |
| 98 | Cumberland Island National Seashore – Dungeness Beach | Cumberland Island, Georgia | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 4.05 |
| 99 | Sunset Bay State Park | Coos Bay, Oregon | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 3.98 |
| 100 | Rialto Beach | Forks, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.97 |
| 100 | Tigertail Beach Park | Marco Island, Florida | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.97 |
| 100 | Joseph Whidbey State Park | Oak Harbor, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.97 |
| 101 | Leadbetter Point State Park | Ocean Park, Washington | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.96 |
| 101 | Holden Beach | Holden Beach, North Carolina | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.96 |
| 102 | Ocean Beach | San Francisco, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.88 |
| 102 | Point Dume State Beach | Malibu, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.88 |
| 102 | East Beach | Charlestown, Rhode Island | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.88 |
| 102 | Charlestown Breachway | Charlestown, Rhode Island | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.88 |
| 102 | Manzanita Beach | Manzanita, Oregon | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.88 |
| 103 | R.G. Kreusler Park | Palm Beach, Florida | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.87 |
| 103 | Moonstone State Beach | Trinidad, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.87 |
| 104 | Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park | Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.7 |
| 105 | Laguna Beach Main Beach | Laguna Beach, California | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 3.69 |
| 106 | Pacific Beach State Park | Pacific Beach, Washington | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 3.43 |
| 107 | Coast Guard and East Beach | St. Simons Island, Georgia | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 3.25 |
| 107 | Grayland Beach State Park | Grayland, Washington | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | 3.25 |
| 107 | Ocean City State Park | Hoquiam, Washington | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | 3.25 |
| 108 | Seabright Beach | Santa Cruz, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 3.16 |
| 108 | Twin Lakes State Beach | Santa Cruz, California | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 3.16 |
| 109 | Wreck of the Peter Iredale | Hammond, Oregon | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 3.08 |
| 110 | Seabrook Island Beach | Seabrook Island, South Carolina | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 2.97 |
| 110 | Demarest Lloyd State Park | Dartmouth, Massachusetts | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 2.97 |
| 111 | Twin Harbors State Park | Westport, Washington | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | 2.89 |
| 112 | Vilano Beach | St. Augustine, Florida | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 2.79 |
| 112 | St. Augustine Beach | St. Augustine, Florida | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | 2.79 |
| 113 | Ruby Beach | Forks, Washington | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.71 |
| 113 | Bastendorff Beach | Charleston, Oregon | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.71 |
| 113 | Agate Beach State Recreation Site | Newport, Oregon | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.71 |
| 113 | North Hampton State Beach | Hampton, New Hampshire | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.71 |
| 113 | North Beach | Hampton, New Hampshire | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.71 |
| 114 | Heceta Head Lighthouse | Florence, Oregon | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | 2.7 |
| 115 | Sullivan’s Island Beach | Sullivan's Island, South Carolina | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 1.72 |
| 116 | Trinidad State Beach | Trinidad, California | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 1.71 |
| 116 | Campus Point Beach | Isla Vista, California | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 1.71 |
| 116 | Happy Camp Beach | Netarts, Oregon | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | 1.71 |
| 117 | Mocrocks Beach | Moclips, Washington | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | 0.9 |
Every single beach in this database has at least one confirmed accessibility feature. Over 90% (261) have at least three confirmed features. However, no single beach offers more than eight out of the 11 we tracked. Even more, only nine beaches earned an Accessibility Score above 8 out of 10. Even Jones Beach State Park, the #1 most accessible beach in the contiguous U.S., scored only 8.65. Across the entire database, the average score was just 5.6. These lower-than-desirable numbers show how uncommon thoroughly documented, comprehensive accessibility is for U.S. beaches.
Accessibility needs vary widely from person to person, and this database ranks beaches based on the amount of wheelchair-accessible infrastructure at each beach. However, since needs vary widely, use it as a search tool to find the amenities that best suit your travel needs. Your #1 beach might be different than what the rankings surface.
Many U.S. beaches aren't in this database, but that doesn’t mean they are inaccessible. Most of the time, there simply isn't enough information to confidently confirm what is offered. This isn’t just a database of accessible U.S. beaches; it’s a database of accessible beaches with enough explicit and verifiable information about their accessibility features.
The 15 Most Accessible Beaches in America
1. Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, New York
Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York, ranks as the #1 most accessible beach in the contiguous U.S. It has some of the most accessibility features in our database. We confirmed accessible parking, boardwalks, beach access mats, sand wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, restrooms and showers and picnic/seating areas.
Accessible parking is available throughout the park, but Field 6 on the west side is recommended for the best beach-access ramp. Field 2 and the parking lot east of the East Bathhouse are good alternatives. You can find mobility mats at Field 6, Zach’s Bay, Central Mall, West Bathhouse and Field 2. All mats extend from the sand to the high-tide mark. The beach also features a two-mile boardwalk and other multi-use paths.
Special beach wheelchairs are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check out sand wheelchairs at the Park Information/Umbrella Booths at the West Bathhouse, Field 6, Central Mall, Zach’s Bay or Field 2. You can check out a floating/amphibious wheelchair only at Zach’s Bay. If you need assistance with accessible parking, call the Park Information Office at 516-785-1600.
More Info: parks.ny.gov; iloveny.com; 1 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh, NY 11793
2. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
Coming in at #2, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida offers verified accessible parking, paved multi-use paths, beach access mats, sand wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, restrooms and showers, and picnic/seating areas.
The Mobi-Mat (beach access mat) is located at Beach Access No. 6 right next to the Lighthouse Café. A 1.5-mile paved accessible pedestrian and bike path meanders throughout the park. Along the way, you’ll find over a dozen accessible picnic pavilions with accessible tables and benches. Outdoor showers are by the restrooms at Areas A, B, and C and at Beach Accesses 4, 6 and 7.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park also has two sand wheelchairs and two floating wheelchairs for free, available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check these out at the bicycle rental area.
3. Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas, California (Tie)
The #3 most accessible beach is Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, California. You will find accessible parking, paved pathways, MobiMats, sand wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, restrooms, showers and picnic/seating.
The parking lot along B Street has ADA parking spaces, with a paved trail leading to the MobiMat and providing a barrier-free route to the shore. Moonlight State Beach is also special because it provides sand and floating wheelchairs, as well as powered all-terrain wheelchairs you can check out. We didn't specifically track powered wheelchairs in our database, so they don’t add points in our analysis, but they're certainly a huge plus!
You can check out wheelchairs for free on a first-come, first-served basis at the Marine Safety Center. They are available seven days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM. For more information, you can call 760-633-2740.
3. Robert Moses State Park, Long Island, New York (Tie)
Tying for #3, Robert Moses State Park in Long Island, New York has accessible parking, a boardwalk, beach access mats, sand wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, restrooms, showers and picnic/seating areas.
Accessible parking is available at all parking lots, but Field 5 gives you the best access. During the summer only, mobility mats are at Fields 2, 3 and 5. At those same fields, you can check out sand wheelchairs and floating wheelchairs at the First Aid Office. Both are free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Field 5 has the accessible boardwalk that extends the length of the parking area.
You can find accessible restrooms and accessible private outdoor showers at each of the park’s fields. Note that, like the beach access mats, showers operate only during the swimming season. You can find accessible picnic/seating with tables and grills at Fields 2, 3 and 4. For accessibility questions, contact the park directly at 631-669-0449.
More Info: parks.ny.gov; iloveny.com; ablenews.com; 1 Burma Rd, Bay Shore, NY 11706
4. Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion, Tybee Island, Georgia
The #4 most accessible beach in the contiguous U.S. is Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion in Tybee Island, Georgia. This beach offers accessible parking, a pier, Mobi-Mat, sand and floating beach wheelchairs, restrooms, a picnic area and special beach walkers.
The beach access mat is located at the Tybrisa Street (16th Street) crossover next to the pier and pavilion. The pier also has ramps and is fully accessible, and its picnic tables and benches are accessible as well. Accessible parking is available at the 16th Street public parking lot and most public beach parking lots along the island. The restrooms at the 16th Street lot are also ADA-compliant.
The city provides free fat-tire beach wheelchairs for getting across the sand. It also provides a Triolo chair that floats in the water. You can also check out one of the six special beach walkers for extra stability if you need something less than a full wheelchair. You can check out all wheelchairs and walkers on a first-come, first-served basis at Code Enforcement, located at 1509 Strand Avenue, or by calling 912-472-5089. Code Enforcement also provides free delivery and pickup at the beach.
5. M.B. Miller County Pier, Panama City Beach, Florida
M.B. Miller County Pier in Panama City Beach, Florida is the #5 most accessible beach in our analysis. The beach has accessible parking, a 1,500-foot pier, beach mobility matting, fat-tire sand wheelchairs, amphibious wheelchairs, restrooms, picnic/seating and a beach walker.
The pier itself is accessible, and the beach access mat (Mobi-Mat) is located at the west end of the pier. To check out the sand or floating wheelchairs or the beach walker, you can go to the pier to request a unit for the day. You can also contact the pier directly at 850-236-3035 for more information. Accessible restrooms are also available at the pier; however, we could not confirm whether accessible showers are available.
6. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia
First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is the #6 most accessible beach. This park offers accessible parking, trails, beach access mats, sand wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, restrooms, showers and camping.
The beach access mat is located behind the visitor center through the dune crossover and provides direct beach access. The accessible trails are set back from the shoreline but offer an immersive escape into the park. In particular, the Cape Henry Trail is universally accessible from Kendall to 64th Street. In fact, the State Park lists First Landing as having the longest accessible trails in their park system.
The trail center in the middle of the park has accessible restrooms and pathways. The Kendall, Archer, Collier and Read bathhouses in the campground all have universally accessible showers and toilets with paved access from the road. The campsite has both accessible electric/water and standard tent sites, but none of the yurts/cabins are listed as fully accessible, only partially accessible.
While the park does not offer floating wheelchairs, its free-to-use beach wheelchairs are electric, all-terrain models that are a step up from standard fat-tire manual chairs, making it much easier to navigate the park. You can reserve one of these chairs at least 48 hours in advance by using this form or by calling 757-412-2300.
7. Carolina Beach, Pleasure Island, North Carolina
Coming in at #7, Carolina Beach in Pleasure Island, North Carolina has accessible parking, an oceanfront boardwalk, beach accessways and mats, sand wheelchairs, water-entry wheelchairs, restrooms and picnic/seating areas.
The rebuilt oceanfront boardwalk is now 16 feet wide, with 10-foot-wide beach accessways leading to the beach. Three beach access mats extend from the boardwalk across the sand, from the Courtyard by Marriott, from the Cape Fear Boulevard access at the south end of the Bandstand, and from Pavilion Avenue at the Bandstand’s north end. These mats are installed Memorial Day through Labor Day. Accessible parking is free with a valid disability plate or placard.
The beach also offers wheelchairs for free use, which you can reserve for up to five days at a time. You can check out a Sand Rider beach wheelchair (that can enter up to 10 inches of water) through Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation and the Recreation Center. You can reserve these chairs year-round by calling 910-458-2977 or using this form.
8. William J. Rish Recreational Park, Cape San Blas, Florida
William J. Rish Recreational Park, in Cape San Blas, Florida, the #8 most accessible beach, offers extensive accessibility amenities. Here you’ll find accessible parking, miles of boardwalks, beach access mats, manual, floating and motorized beach wheelchairs and boardwalk scooters. The park also has accessible restrooms, showers and picnic facilities.
The park features a whopping 22 ADA-compliant parking spaces at the Visitor Center. The accessible boardwalk is roughly two miles long with connection ramps and Mobi-Mats throughout.
You can check out the Visitor Center's unusually large selection of mobility equipment. All equipment is available for free (not counting the park admission fee) on a first-come, first-served basis. The park also features a four-foot-deep swimming pool with a wheelchair-access ramp and a lift chair. The restrooms, showers and changing rooms are all accessible, along with the picnic facilities.
9. Beach at Avalon NJ, Avalon, New Jersey
The Beach at Avalon NJ in Avalon, New Jersey ranks #9 most accessible in the contiguous U.S. This beach offers accessible parking, extensive beach access ramps and boardwalk access, beach access mats, surf chairs (for sand and some water), restrooms and drive-on beach access.
The oceanfront boardwalk running parallel to the shore features many beach access ramps between 21st and 32nd streets. Over 13 beach access mats are available between 8th and 80th streets, most useful at 29th, 30th and 32nd streets for the proximity to restrooms and mobility aid checkout. Accessible parking is between 29th and 30th Streets, along with accessible restrooms. More accessible restrooms are located at 10th Street and Dune Drive, as well as at Borough Hall and Community Hall.
Avalon’s Surf Chairs straddle our definition between sand chairs and floating chairs. While they have the typical fat tires for sand crossing, they can only go about six inches into the water. We still consider these water wheelchairs and mark them as such in the database. These chairs are available 10 AM to 5 PM at the following Beach Patrol storage units: 9th, 30th and 80th Streets. These are first-come, first-served, but you can also reserve them through the Beach Patrol by calling 609-967-7587.
The Beach at Avalon, NJ, is also the first beach on our top beaches list to feature drive-on beach access. This feature lets you get right to the water’s edge all without leaving your vehicle. Drive-on access is available for $40 with a qualifying permit for 4WD and AWD vehicles, obtained from the licensing clerk. Drive-on access is available September 15 through March 15. Vehicle entry onto the beach is available at several locations, but the 32nd Street access is closest to other accessibility amenities.
More Info: nj.gov; visitnj.org; metrokids.com; 2901 Avalon Ave, Avalon, NJ 08202
10. Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del Rey, California
Rounding out the top 10 most accessible beaches, Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, California, is next. At this State Beach, you’ll find plenty of accessible parking, paved accessible paths, beach access mats, sand beach wheelchairs, restrooms, showers, picnic areas and RV camping.
The fully accessible Marvin Braude Bike Trail that runs parallel to the shore is closer to the water than many oceanfront trails and boardwalks in our database. Both the Bluff Parking Lot adjacent to the Youth Center and the parking lots surrounding the Picnic Area have designated ADA parking spaces. Paved routes connect the parking lots to major areas, including the bike trail, the beach access mats, restrooms and picnic areas and the campground.
The accessible Dockweiler’s beachfront RV park is open year-round with full-hookup and dry sites. Reservations are required in advance. The campground’s restroom and showers are also accessible.
You can check out one of the six free sand beach wheelchairs at the Youth Center. As a bonus, you can also reserve these chairs in advance by calling 310-726-4128. You can reserve the chairs at least 24 hours in advance, but no more than seven days ahead. Use is restricted to two hours, however. The Youth Center, where you can check out the chairs, is open 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
11. Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware
Although Delaware has the second-best average beach accessibility score in the nation, its most accessible beach ranks #11 overall in the contiguous U.S.: Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. This State Park offers accessible parking, a wide range of trails, beach access mats, standard manual sand wheelchairs, powered Action Trackchairs, restrooms, showers, picnic/seating areas, and camping.
The park has roughly 16 miles of accessible trails, with beach mobility mats providing access across the sand. This park offers both manual fat-tire sand wheelchairs and powered Action Trackchairs with tank tread, offering some of the best all-terrain navigation capabilities you’ll find in any wheelchair. These are available year-round at Cape Henlopen Main Beach from 8 AM to sunset. Standard manual chairs are available first-come, first-served, but Action Trackchairs must be reserved in advance. The park also encourages you to reserve the manual chairs. You can call 302-645-8983 or use this form to reserve either chair.
Mobi-Mats provide beach access without a special wheelchair. The ramp by the main bathhouse provides a ramp to the beach, and the bathhouses are also accessible. The pole showers are also ADA-compliant.
12. Hampton Beach, Hampton, New Hampshire
Hampton Beach ranks #12 most accessible. Here you’ll find accessible parking, walkways, access mats, sand and floating wheelchairs, restrooms, showers and camping.
The Seashell area offers the best access with four ramps leading to the beach and seasonal access mats extending across the sand to the high-tide line. The Seashell area also has family bathrooms with accessible bathhouses and outdoor showers. North Beach has an explicitly ADA-accessible ramp and viewing platform at the 18th Street access. South Beach has concrete walkways.
Both the sand and floating wheelchairs are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. You can pick these up at the first aid room in the Seashell building, daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. For South Beach, you can check these chairs out at the tollbooth or park store. The South Beach area also has an accessible RV campground with full water, electric and sewer hookups. Picnic tables and fire rings at the campground are also accessible.
More Info: nhstateparks.org; drcnh.org; 180 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
13. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida
Ranking #13: Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida really rolls out the red carpet of accessibility amenities. At this beach, you’ll find accessible parking, trails and boardwalks, a massive beach access mat, beach wheelchairs for the sand, restrooms, showers and covered picnic/seating areas.
The ample parking lot has many dedicated ADA-compliant parking spaces with paved trails winding throughout the park. The park has 29 on-site covered shelters and pavilions, all accessible. Perhaps most notably, the beach has a massive 454-foot ADA-compliant Mobi-Mat extending from the West Concession area to the Gulf. It's not only one of the longest beach Mobi-Mats in the world, but it also has dedicated side wing mats to accommodate high visitor volume.
Free beach wheelchairs for crossing the sand are available year-round. You can pick them up at the main pavilion concession stand. These are typically available from 9 AM to 4 PM, but if you want one outside those hours or want to plan ahead, you can contact the County at 941-861-5000 to request one. The tourism office recommends requesting one at least three days in advance.
14. Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk ranks #14 in our analysis. This beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey, offers accessible parking, a boardwalk, beach access ramps and mats, beach (sand) wheelchairs, water-entry surf chairs and plenty of restrooms.
Accessible parking is available in many beachfront lots, but the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall garage at Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk offers the closest access.
The boardwalk itself has many barrier-free entrances, ramps or wide sidewalks to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. Many ADA-accessible switchback ramps jut from the boardwalk to the beach throughout. Multiple 175-foot beach access mats extend to the beach from Tallahassee, Bartram, Albany and Raleigh Avenue entrances. You’ll find plenty of ADA-compliant restrooms, including at Bartram, Albany, New York and New Hampshire Avenues.
The Atlantic City Beach Patrol at District 7 on Mississippi Avenue provides free beach (sand) and surf wheelchairs. These are available first-come, first-served, but you can call 609-347-5307 to check availability. The surf chairs are water-entry chairs, but we did not find any sources confirming they float. We still consider them amphibious chairs in our database.
15. Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific Palisades, California (Tie)
For the first of our four-way tie for rank #15: Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, California. Here you’ll find accessible parking, a paved oceanfront walkway, a beach access mat, beach wheelchairs for the sand, restrooms, showers and picnic/seating areas.
The best accessible parking is at Lot #2E off of Temescal Canyon. A semi-permanent beach access mat extends from this lot entrance across the sand. The oceanfront walkway is paved and accessible and runs parallel to the shore. In the parking lot, you’ll find accessible restrooms and showers.
This State Beach has two free wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations can be made. You can check these chairs out at the Lifeguard Headquarters. For additional accessibility questions, call 310-394-3261.
15. Fernandina Beach - Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach, Florida (Tie)
The Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach, Florida, also ties for #15 most accessible. This small but amenity-packed park offers accessible parking, a small boardwalk with beach ramps, a Mobi-Mat, both sand and floating beach wheelchairs, restrooms and picnic/seating areas.
ADA-compliant parking is at the Dolphin Street/Main Beach Park access. From there, you have an accessible beach path to the boardwalk/pavillion with a viewing area. To reach the shore, you can use the boardwalk access ramp or the semi-permanent Mobi-Mat. ADA-compliant restrooms are near the pavilion.
The Parks & Rec department offers six beach wheelchairs for free. Three PVC and two metal chairs let you move safely across the sand with their fat-tire design. They also have one Mobi floating wheelchair. Best of all, you can reserve these chairs for up to seven consecutive days and book up to one year in advance. Call 904-310-3350 to make a reservation. The city will also deliver and pick up the wheelchairs anywhere within city limits.
15. Navarre Beach, Navarre, Florida (Tie)
For the third most accessible beach in our analysis, tying for #15, we have Navarre Beach in Navarre, Florida. This beach offers accessible parking, ADA-compliant boardwalks, beach access mats, beach (sand) wheelchairs, restrooms, showers and picnic/seating areas.
On the Gulf side, there are six ADA-compliant parking spaces, an accessible beach-access boardwalk, two accessible showers and accessible pavilions with ADA-compliant picnic tables and grills. Gulf-side accessible walkovers are at 40B, 40D and 40E in addition to a Mobi-Mat. The Sound side has two ADA-compliant boardwalks plus an accessible kayak launch, which is rare.
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue provides specialized beach wheelchairs for crossing the sand, though they do not offer water-access wheelchairs. These are free, first-come, first-served, through the Fire Station at 1413 Utility Drive. You cannot reserve these in advance, and you must transport them yourself. Check out the Fire Rescue page for more information. Checkout windows operate from 9 AM to 2 PM and 2 PM to 7 PM daily. Alternatively, if you prefer to reserve a chair ahead of time, you can request one through the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center at least 24 hours in advance.
15. Rockaway Beach, New York, New York (Tie)
Last but not least, we end our roundup of the 15 most accessible beaches where we started, in New York. Rockaway Beach, the last in our four-way tie for rank #15, offers accessible parking, a boardwalk with ramp access, beach access mats, sand wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs and restrooms.
The best accessible beach access points are at Beach 67th, 86th, 97th, 106th, 131st and 133rd Streets, off the accessible boardwalk. The accessible restroom is at Beach 67th Street. To get across the sand, use the access points with installed beach mats at Beach 67th, 131st and 133rd Streets. Additional mats are available at Beach 9th, 18th, 34th, 74th, 81st, and many others.
Both beach wheelchairs for crossing the sand and floating wheelchairs are available free with reservation. Make reservations at least 48 hours in advance through the NYC Parks & Recs department online form. You can pick them up at the Beach Operations Office at Beach 86th Street and Shorefront Parkway.
Beach Access Often Stops at the Water’s Edge
The #1 most common accessibility feature is accessible parking; 90% of the beaches in this database have verified accessible parking. A large 94% majority offer adaptable designs like beach access mats, sand or amphibious wheelchairs, specialized beach walkers and drive-on access to get from the sand’s edge to the water, known as solving the “last 100 feet” problem.
Perhaps surprisingly, sand wheelchairs with special balloon tires for all-terrain movement are available at 88% of beaches in this database, making them the #2 single most common accessibility feature. Finally, at #3, while not as glamorous but still important, 87% of the database’s beaches have confirmed accessible restrooms.
However, the final transition from land into the water itself is a very different story. Only 19% of beaches in this database were confirmed as offering floating or amphibious wheelchairs that actually let you get into the water. These chairs are the #3 rarest accessibility services we found, but perhaps one of the most important in creating a truly universal, inclusive beach infrastructure design. The other two least common accessibility features are drive-on beach access (10% have it) and specialized beach-accessible walkers you can check out (4% have it).
The biggest gap in modern beach accessibility is providing ways to access the water itself (such as amphibious wheelchairs), which compounds the need to expand what an “accessible” beach actually means.
Where America’s Most Accessible Beaches Are — And Why Fame Doesn’t Predict Accessibility
Beach accessibility varies substantially depending on where in the country you go, and the availability of thorough beach accessibility information also varies dramatically from state to state.
Of all the coastal states in the database, Maryland had the highest average accessibility score at 6.94 out of 10. Delaware came in second at 6.82 and New Jersey third at 6.62. At the other end, Oregon (4.61), New Hampshire (4.36) and Washington (3.76) had the lowest scores.
As we said at the top, this isn’t just a database of accessible U.S. beaches; it’s a database of accessible beaches with enough explicit and verifiable information about their accessibility features. Therefore, average state accessibility rankings are based on available infrastructure and also available online information. The combination of the two results in a state ranking high for beach accessibility. Inclusive design isn’t enough; you also have to tell people about it.
Making thorough beach accessibility information widely available especially matters because the most famous, highly rated beaches don't correlate with robust accessibility infrastructure. We compared beach accessibility scores with Google Maps review counts and star ratings using Spearman’s correlation. The relationship between review counts and accessibility scores had a coefficient of .317, indicating a weak correlation. Meaning, the most accessible beaches in our analysis aren’t necessarily the most reviewed.
Star ratings were even less informative. The correlation coefficient between star rating and accessibility scores was just .013, which is essentially no correlation. This means highly rated beaches aren’t necessarily more accessible in the contiguous U.S. A five-star average and dozens of glowing travel reviews can tell you if a beach is beautiful; they tell you little about whether it will meet your specific accessibility needs.
Making Beach Accessibility Easier to Find
Unlike this project, a trip to the beach shouldn't require hours of research just to figure out whether you can park, reach the sand’s edge, cross the sand, use the restroom or get into the water. That is why we built this database. Beach.com is specifically here to help everyone find the perfect beach that suits exactly how you travel.
Accessibility should be part of basic travel information, not something visitors have to piece together on their own. Unfortunately, there is little incentive to do so. This database is merely a starting point, and these 277 beaches with reliable information can hopefully give travelers a clearer picture of what’s available. We undoubtedly missed many accessible beaches, especially because of limited information. Amenities will change, and communities are doing work that still hasn't been well documented online.
We hope this resource improves over time as we document accessibility information. If you know of a beach that should be included, an accessibility feature that has been added or removed, or any information in this database that needs updating, please email [email protected]. The easier this information is to find and understand, the easier it is for everyone to find a beach that works best for them.
Sources and Methodology
To build the first national database of accessible U.S. beaches, we began with official state, county, city, municipal, park and tourism sources for every state in the contiguous U.S. with an open-ocean coastline. Because accessibility information is often incomplete, inconsistently defined or scattered across multiple websites, we generally required each beach also to have a recent, non-government accessibility or disability-advocacy source that provided a more complete picture of its amenities. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington were exceptions because their official resources provided sufficiently detailed accessibility information on their own. We excluded beaches without enough reliable information to determine their specific accessibility offerings.
For each qualifying beach, we manually verified 11 accessibility features: ADA parking; accessible trails, boardwalks or piers; beach wheelchairs; beach access mats such as Mobi-Mats; accessible restrooms; accessible picnic or seating areas; ADA-accessible showers; floating or amphibious beach wheelchairs; drive-on beach access; beach-accessible walkers; and accessible camping. We used a strict verification standard: we counted an amenity only when a source explicitly confirmed it was available and, where applicable, accessible or ADA-compliant. For example, the existence of a restroom, shower or path alone was not enough to classify it as accessible. We also consulted Google Maps Street View and satellite imagery as supplemental context for permanent infrastructure, but we did not use imagery alone to classify an amenity as accessible. In total, 277 beaches met our information and verification standards. We collected and verified data from July 1 through August 25, 2026.
To rank the beaches, we converted the 11 accessibility features into binary values. We combined them using a weighted scoring formula that prioritized infrastructure that facilitates arrival, movement across the beach and access to the sand and water. ADA parking, accessible trails/boardwalks/piers, Mobi-Mats, beach wheelchairs and floating wheelchairs received the greatest weights, while more specialized amenities received smaller weights. We normalized Google Maps review counts and star ratings, collected on August 26 and gave them only a minor role as tie-breakers. We also used Spearman’s rank correlation to test whether accessibility was associated with beach popularity or visitor ratings. Review count had a weak positive relationship with accessibility (ρ = 0.317), while star ratings had essentially no relationship (ρ = 0.013).
Click to Expand Full Methodology
Primary Sources: To create the first standardized U.S. national database of accessibility infrastructure and services for accessible beaches, we began by manually assembling a list of official local government and park accessibility sources at the state, county, city and municipal level for every state in the lower 48 with an open-ocean beach. These sources included individual government beach/park pages, local government lists of ADA-accessible beaches, and local tourism board resources.
However, it became evident early on that official government sources alone would not be sufficient to create this national database. As many living with physical disabilities know, it can often be frustratingly challenging to find accessibility information about a location. This is due to many problems.
First Barrier to Accessibility Information: A lack of structured, universal language for accessible amenities. An official government source might say a beach is ADA-accessible. This doesn't tell us whether parking, restrooms, showers, seating, trails and campsites are accessible or whether there are specific offerings such as beach access mats, boardwalks, sand wheelchairs, amphibious wheelchairs or beach walkers. Many official government sources boil the information down to "this beach is ADA accessible," which isn't very useful when accessibility is highly individualized and specific to each person.
What it means for a location to be "accessible" can vary by location and is subject to the understanding of the word "accessible" by the organization designating it as such. For some municipalities, it means there is an ADA-compliant route to the beach, but that's it. For others, it only means there is an ADA-compliant parking spot, but does not guarantee beach access. The term is ambiguous, open to interpretation and therefore almost meaningless as a single piece of information. Bottom line: Knowing a location is "accessible" does not mean you can comfortably use that restaurant or visit that beach.
Second Barrier to Accessibility Information: Accessibility information is often scattered across several sources. Someone trying to get a complete picture of a place's accessibility features might have to check Google, an official website, accessibility advocacy pages, sift through reviews and forums, and finally call the location to confirm. Plus, that assumes the information is available online at all or that someone on the other end of the line knows the specific accessibility answers.
Third Barrier to Accessibility Information: That brings us to our third major shortcoming as a nation in providing accessibility information. Travel listings lack incentives to provide fully fleshed-out details about a location's specific accessibility offerings. Instead, this information is provided primarily as a regulatory compliance measure rather than to paint a full picture of a location's accessibility. The bottom line here is that it's far easier to find out whether a particular place is desirable to visit than whether it is usable for a particular person.
Secondary Sources: To address the issues outlined above, we generally required U.S. beaches to include a recent, secondary, non-government, advocacy-based source detailing accessibility amenities for each beach in the database. For most beaches, that meant having at least one government source and one advocacy source that, combined, paint a robust picture of each beach's specific accessibility infrastructure and services. We collected these secondary sources manually, one beach at a time.
Only a handful of U.S. states excel at providing explicit, detailed information about beach accessibility at a level we deemed sufficient for this database. Those three states are Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington state. Because the detail on official government sites for beaches in these states was so robust, we did not need a secondary advocacy-based resource to verify accessibility amenities.
Tracked Beach Amenities: Then, once we had our final list of qualifying beaches from both an official government source and a secondary advocacy-based source, we decided on the specific accessible amenities we would track nationwide. Those amenities are:
The availability of all-terrain beach/sand wheelchairs (including both manual and motorized) to check out, beach access mats (like Mobi-Mats), accessible restroom facilities nearby, ADA-compliant parking at the beach, accessible trails/boardwalks/piers up to the sand and/or parallel to the beach, the availability of accessible campsites, regular vehicle/drive-on beach access, explicitly ADA-compliant showers (either outdoor rinse areas or full indoor showers), the availability of amphibious/floating beach wheelchairs (that allow you to enter the water) to check out, accessible picnic or seating areas near the beach and the availability of special beach walkers (with balloon tires to move across sand) to check out.
Manual Verification: We then manually verified the availability of all 11 amenities for each beach, one at a time. If we could not explicitly verify an amenity, we marked it as not confirmed. This does not necessarily mean the amenity was unavailable; we just could not explicitly confirm it. The default assumption was that an amenity was not confirmed unless we could explicitly verify it. Only an explicit statement from a source about a specific amenity would mark that amenity as available in our database.
Each amenity requires an explicit statement. That means if a source lists showers as an amenity but does not explicitly state that they are accessible or ADA-compliant, we mark them as not confirmed as accessible. If a site says there is a path to the beach but does not identify it as ADA-compliant or accessible, then we mark it as not confirmed. We also consulted Google Maps Street View and satellite imagery as supplemental context for permanent infrastructure such as paved trails, boardwalks and parking, but we did not use imagery alone to classify an amenity as accessible.
After this rigorous verification, we identified 277 beaches with sufficient information to include in the database, with amenity details meticulously noted across all 11 categories. We completed all data, including source pages and individual amenity verification, between July 1, 2026 and August 25, 2026.
Accessibility Ranking: To rank the best beaches for accessibility, we created a scoring formula based on these 11 amenity categories. Because many beaches had the same amenity offerings, which would create many ties, we added one final metric to the database. On August 26, 2026, we gathered the Google Maps Star Rating and review count for each beach in the database to use as a minor tie-breaking metric.
We normalized all data to a 0-1 scale before scoring. We made the 11 amenity categories binary for scoring, and normalized star ratings and review counts to a 0-1 scale in a non-binary fashion. Final scores were calculated with the following weights:
- ADA Parking: 16%
- Accessible Trail/Boardwalk/Pier: 14%
- Mobi-Mat: 14%
- Beach Wheelchair: 13%
- Floating Beach Wheelchairs: 12%
- Accessible Restrooms: 8%
- Accessible Picnic/Seating Area: 6%
- ADA Showers: 6%
- Drive-On Beach Access: 4%
- Beach-Accessible Walker: 3%
- Accessible Camping: 2%
- Review Count: 1.5%
- Star Rating: 0.5%
While the scoring system elevates the best, most accessible beaches in the contiguous U.S., every beach included in this database had to pass rigorous verification and checks to be included, and all are worthy of consideration for your travels.
Popularity Correlation: To evaluate the relationship between beach accessibility and measures of popularity and visitor satisfaction, we calculated Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) between each beach's accessibility score and its normalized review count and star rating. We selected Spearman's ρ because it measures the strength and direction of a monotonic relationship between ranked variables without assuming linearity or normality.
The resulting coefficients were 0.317 for the relationship between the accessibility score and review count, and 0.013 for the relationship between the accessibility score and star rating. The former indicates a weak positive association, suggesting that more-reviewed beaches tend to have somewhat higher accessibility scores, while the latter indicates effectively no association between accessibility and visitor ratings. Because review count and star rating contribute only a combined 2% weight to the overall accessibility score, their inclusion was not considered sufficient to materially influence the resulting correlations.
Acknowledgments and Improvements
Special thanks to everyone who regularly covers and compiles accessibility lists and resources, particularly for beaches. These resources, often created by locals or people living with physical disabilities, are the foundation of this project; without them, assembling this national database would be impossible. Here are the disability advocates whose work was especially helpful in assembling this database. While we had well over 80 individual non-government, advocacy-based resources, these are the top 12:
Contact Us: To correct a mistake, update missing or out-of-date info, suggest other beaches or metrics for future releases, or ask questions, please reach out to [email protected]. This database may be the first of its kind in the nation, but it has flaws, especially given the extraordinary measures required to build it. We are always looking to improve, and your questions and suggestions are extremely valuable. Happy travels!
Citing This Research
When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing Beach.com.
