Handicap services and wheelchair access to the beach can sometimes be difficult if you don't know where to look. Virtually all of our hotels/motels, restaurants and shopping centers offer access facilities for the handicapped.
Ramps from the boardwalk to the beach are located at every street along the boardwalk. Additionally the boardwalk and streets are easily navigable by a wheel chair, crutches or any other handicap aid.
Beach Wheelchairs and ramps provide easy access to the beach
FREE Beach accessible wheel chairs can be obtained up and down the boardwalk.
The locations that offer FREE beach accessible wheel chairs and other handicapped items are available on a first come, first served basis. They can be found on the boardwalk at
2nd Street (adjacent to Grommet Island Park)
17th Street
24th Street
2nd Street / Grommet Island Park Handicap Center
Beach wheelchairs are FREE.
There should be an attendant (city employee) there who can assist you.
Beach chairs are limited to use in the small Grommet Island "park" area
There is a limited supply.
Available on a first-come first-served basis.
Only available during tourist season (April 1 to October 1)
Attendant Hours are 8:00am to 8:00pm
Lifeguards are NOT responsible for managing any handicap beach wheelchairs
17th Street Handicap Beach Wheelchair Storage Shed
Beach wheelchairs are FREE.
There is a limited supply.
Available on a first-come first-served basis.
Only available during tourist season (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend)
Hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm
Beach wheelchairs are to remain in the general beach area (1 block) of the shed where it was obtained.
You must have a valid ID to obtain a wheelchair
This is an unmanned shed and if you would like to obtain a handicap wheelchair you must call the number posted on the signage
Office: 757-213-3000 ext: 5300
Megan: 305-218-1036
Lifeguards are NOT responsible for managing any handicap beach wheelchairs
24th Street Handicap Beach Wheelchair Storage Shed
Beach wheelchairs are FREE.
There is a limited supply.
Available on a first-come first-served basis.
Only available during tourist season (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend)
Hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm
Beach wheelchairs are to remain in the general beach area (1 block) of the shed where it was obtained.
You must have a valid ID to obtain a wheelchair
This is an unmanned shed and if you would like to obtain a handicap wheelchair you must call the number posted on the signage
Office: 757-213-3000 ext: 5300
Megan: 305-218-1036
Lifeguards are NOT responsible for managing any handicap beach wheelchairs
36th Street Handicap Beach Wheelchair Storage Shed
Beach wheelchairs are FREE.
There is a limited supply.
Available on a first-come first-served basis.
Only available during tourist season (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend)
Hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm
Beach wheelchairs are to remain in the general beach area (1 block) of the shed where it was obtained.
You must have a valid ID to obtain a wheelchair
This is an unmanned shed and if you would like to obtain a handicap wheelchair you must call the number posted on the signage
Office: 757-213-3000 ext: 5300
Megan: 305-218-1036
Lifeguards are NOT responsible for managing any handicap beach wheelchairs
Local Beach Wheelchair and/or Scooter Rental Companies
If you cannot find satisfaction with any of the above FREE options or if you want to secure your chair for a longer duration and not just daily, please contact one of these local companies for rental options.
The streets were there is an extended wood walkway for you to get closer to the beach are at
8th St
16th St
24th St
30th St and
40th St
Beach accessible wheel chairs are available at a variety of locations.
HANDICAP ACCESS RESTROOMS
Permanent Restrooms (with running water)
2nd Street/Boardwalk
17th Street/Boardwalk
24th Street/Atlantic Ave. (24th Street Park)
30th Street/Atlantic Ave.
31st Street/Atlantic Ave.
Portable Restrooms
8th Street (May 1-Nov. 1)
Croatan South End (Year-round)
Grommet Island Park Handicap Park
Grommet Island Park, located at the end of the boardwalk near 1st street, is the first handicapped accessible beach park of its kind in the nation. It is mostly for kids but it will allow a wheel chair to have access to the sand.
Ramps and wood polymer decking lead to beach seating areas. The playground includes modified slides, monkey bars, and raised sand tables for building sandcastles. Visitors may also rent beach wheelchairs that can be used on sand.
