All Articles 6 accessible warm-weather vacations for escaping winter

6 accessible warm-weather vacations for escaping winter

These are the best wheelchair-accessible spots to snooze on the beach (and more) this season.

By Ashley Harris Whaley8 Nov 2022 5 minutes read
Smathers Beach in Key West, Florida
Smathers Beach, Key West, FL
Image: LUNAMARINA/Getty Image

Sometimes it seems like the only cure for the winter doldrums is a trip to the beach. Refreshing blasts of salty air and the meditative sound of the waves culminates in the perfect combination, no matter the season. Add in fun winter festivals, holiday events, and sunny weather and you have the ingredients for a perfect trip.

But any day at the beach can be a logistical nightmare for beachgoers with disabilities due to inaccessible facilities. Thankfully, many beaches and resorts across the world are making access and inclusion a priority. Read on for seven accessible beaches that will give you that necessary boost of energy to take on winter’s worst weather back at home.

Key West, FL

Key West, Florida
Key West, FL
Image: Fstop123/Getty Images

There are many reasons folks flock to Florida in the winter, and Key West has to be somewhere near the top of that list. With lows in the mid-60s and highs in the mid-70s, the temperatures couldn’t be better. For beach day, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is your best bet. The top part of the beach has hard-packed sand and manual beach wheelchairs are also available to use.

Travelers say: "Fantastic tour guides with a wealth of knowledge about [Fort Taylor] and its history. The tour is very manageable for all ability levels, with places to sit and rest as needed. ...Beach is VERY rocky—bring good soled water shoes. Picnic area has all-terrain wheelchairs available at no cost. Ask at the concessions stand."—@G5176PFjenniferc

Visiting Key West in December is ideal, where you can tour the local holiday light displays on the accessible Conch Tour Train (call ahead if your wheelchair requires a lift). To keep the festive vibes rolling, follow up the tour with the Key West Holiday Parade or lighted boat parade.

If you find yourself in Key West on New Years Eve, Duvall St. is the place to be. The Conch Shell Drop happens at Sloppy Joe’s’ Bar, where a giant conch shell is lowered onto the roof. At the Bourbon Street Pub, you can witness the New Year’s Eve Shoe drop, where a giant red high-heeled shoe drops down into the street carrying local drag queen legend, Sushi. Join thousands of other revelers for a one-of-a-kind way to ring in the new year.

Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Image: Veni/Getty Images

There’s no better place to visit during the winter months than Australia. Why? Well, the Northern Hemisphere's winter season is their summer, meaning sunny days and high temps are practically guaranteed. Avoca Beach, located 1.5 hours north of Sydney, prioritizes intentional accessibility. Wheelchair-accessible Mobi-mats are available, and a variety of beach wheelchairs are available to use, with both amphibious and self-propel options available.

Tip: Visit on the fourth Sunday of the month to take advantage of the Avoca Beachside Market which features a live music stage and 90+ vendors selling art, crafts, food, and more.

Mount Maunganui Beach, Turanga, New Zealand

Mount Maunganui at Pilot Bay, Tauranga, New Zealand
Mount Maunganui at Pilot Bay, Tauranga, New Zealand
Image: BrianScantlebury/Getty Images

If you’re jonesing for the Southern Hemisphere, but want to add some volcanic landscapes into your trip, consider booking a trip to New Zealand—specifically Mt. Maunganui Beach. Located on the east coast along 75 beautiful miles of sand in the Bay of Plenty region, the beach offers beach wheelchairs and three accessible beach mats at Pilot Bay, The Cenotaph, and Cutter’s Cove. For a more active beach day, learn to surf with Hibiscus Surf School, which offers adaptive surf lessons.

When it’s time to grab a snack or a meal, you can’t go wrong with either of these accessible dining options. The General café offers a laid-back vibe with an all-day breakfast and lunch menu with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Visit Satori Lounge in downtown Mount Maunganui for delicious sushi and a creative take on Asian fusion. And if you visit in January, keep the good vibes going with tickets to Turanga’s One Love Festival, the country’s largest reggae festival.

A-One Pattaya Beach Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand

Twilight sky over Pattaya beach in Thailand at sunset
Pattaya beach, Thailand
Image: Pratan ounpitipong/Getty Images

For those who want nothing more than a relaxing tropical winter getaway, the A-One Pattaya Resort, with nearly two miles of white sandy beaches framed by clear blue water, is worth checking out. This is Thailand’s first resort that actively prioritizes accessibility. The various areas of the resort property are connected by a series of ramps, including access ramps that extend from the property right down to the beach. Rooms and elevators are accessible, and so is the pool.

Beyond the resort, get tickets to the Wonderfruit Festival, a celebration of global culture and music held each December. Pattaya is also known for its New Year's Eve celebrations, with food, music, and a legendary fireworks display.

Altona and Williamston Beaches, Victoria, Australia

Williamstown Beach in Victoria, Australia
Williamstown Beach in Victoria, Australia
Image: jax10289/Getty Images

Consider heading south to Melbourne and the neighboring Altona and Williamston beaches, located just outside of the city. These beaches are the only two in all of Australia that offer year-round beach mats, beach wheelchair rentals, accessible bathrooms and changing facilities, and accessible parking.

With highs ranging from 70 to 80 degrees throughout December, January, and February, the temperatures are perfect for sprawling out on the sand or strolling the nearby Williamston Botanic Gardens. The close proximity to Melbourne makes it easy to take advantage of the many music festivals, with one happening nearly every weekend. Catch the Ocean Sounds Festival in January, the St. Kilda Festival in February, and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March.

Sirens Resort, Skaloma, Greece

Skaloma Beach, Greece
Skaloma Beach, Greece
Image: Constantinos-Iliopoulos/Getty Images

If you want to feel like you’ve been plopped right in the center of a postcard, you’ll find fewer places better suited for the task than Greece. About a 1.5-hour drive from Athens, Sirens Resort has an accessible beach walkway that extends from the property all the way into the water. There are five apartments within the resort that offer fully-accessible accommodations.

Travelers say: "Skaloma itself is little more than a hamlet with a few other private villas, no public transport and no shops within walking distance. Although the resort itself is fully wheelchair-accessible, the surrounding streets are steep, winding and a little treacherous if you're pushing a wheelchair. If you intend to do lots of exploring, you really ought to hire a car. If you can't, the resort will sort out a number of day trips."—@ham_green

Plan a trip in mid-late February and make the drive to Athens for Aprokries Carnival—the perfect day trip when you’ve had your fill of lounging on the beach. This two-week festival is a time of celebration before the reverence of Lent begins. Festival offerings of street parties, costumes, music, dancing, and feasts all originate from ancient ceremonies in honor of the Greek god of festivity and wine, Dionysius. Temperatures hover in the 50s come February, so think of this beach trip more sun-seeking than warm.

Searching for a cold-weather beach trip instead?

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, ME

Lounge chairs at Kennebunkport Marina, Maine
Kennebunkport Marina, ME
Image: lmel9000/Getty Images

Beach trips don’t have to be all sunshine and swimsuits. If being positively bundled up on a wintry beach is what you are after, look into the Kennebunks. And if you’re lucky, you might find the stretches of sand covered in a light layer of snow. Don your layers and head to Mother’s Beach where a Mobi-mat and beach wheelchairs are available to use. February is the ideal time to visit, particularly during the “Paint the Town Red” event where you can check out celebrations, festive decorations, “red tag” sales at local retailers, and “red plate” specials at local restaurants.

Your go-to guide for winter travel

From festive towns and snowy adventures to tropical escapes
Read on
Ashley Harris Whaley
Ashley Harris Whaley is an author, speaker, educator, and disability rights activist. She is the creator of Disability Reframed, a platform that focuses on changing perspectives around education and conversation. Her debut children's book, I Am, You Are, with Penguin Random House UK is due out in spring 2023. Follow her on Instagram @disabilityreframed and @ashleyharriswhaley, and on Twitter @ashharriswhaley.