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.

Handicapped Parking Spaces are located throughout the resort area.

We also have a comprehensive list of

• Handicap/Wheelchair accessible Hotels and
• Handicap/Wheelchair accessible Restaurants.

BEACH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AND RENTALS

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.

• Beach Power Mobility – 757-481-1590
• Boucher Brothers – 305-535-8177
• Med Emporium – 757-428-0787
• Mobility Scooters – 757-355-2211

WHEELCHAIR BEACH ACCESS AND RAMPS

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

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.

Read more about Grommet Island Park here.

Beach Chair and Equipment Rentals

If you are looking for beach equipment rentals (chairs, umbrellas, lounge chairs, etc..) please visit our Beach Chair and Equipment Rental page.