Ask almost anyone in Perth what they love about living here and the ocean comes up fast. That salt air, the wide sky, the feeling of sand and water — it should be available to everybody, and increasingly it is. With a little planning, a beach day with a wheelchair is not just possible in Perth, it can be genuinely brilliant.
Beach wheelchairs open the door
Several Perth beaches offer beach wheelchairs — specialised chairs with wide balloon-style wheels that roll over soft sand and, in some designs, into shallow water. At Dora we have supported clients using beach wheelchairs at Perth beaches, and the moment someone gets down to the waterline after years away from it is something we never get tired of.
Tips for using a beach wheelchair
- Book ahead where possible — availability varies and demand is high in summer.
- Check transfer arrangements. Beach wheelchairs usually require a transfer from your own chair, so bring the support and equipment you need to do that safely.
- Plan your sun protection carefully, especially if you have reduced sensation and cannot feel skin burning. Shade, high-SPF sunscreen and timing your visit outside the harshest hours all matter.
What to look for in an accessible beach
- Beach matting: some beaches lay firm matting across the sand, letting standard wheelchairs travel much closer to the water.
- Accessible parking and paths: check that ACROD parking is close to the beach entry point.
- Accessible toilets and changing facilities: a Changing Places facility nearby can transform how long you can comfortably stay.
- Surf lifesaving presence: patrolled beaches add a valuable layer of safety.
Planning the day
The difference between a stressful outing and a great one is usually preparation. Think about temperature regulation — many people with spinal cord injuries manage body temperature differently, so heat and cold both need respect. Plan pressure relief into the day, pack continence supplies, and build in more time than you think you need. A relaxed schedule is an accessible schedule.
Bring support that adds to the day
A good support worker on a beach day is part safety net, part logistics team, and part company for the swim. They handle transfers and timing quietly in the background so the day feels like a day out — not an operation.
Beyond the beach: saunas, pools and the water year-round
Beach days are seasonal, but the wellbeing benefits of water and warmth do not have to be. Perth has accessible swimming pools and hydrotherapy facilities, and a growing number of accessible sauna and recovery spaces — something Dora has supported clients to enjoy first-hand. Heat exposure needs extra care for people with spinal cord injuries, whose bodies may regulate temperature differently: keep sessions short to start, hydrate well, have support close by, and clear it with your GP or spinal specialist first. Done thoughtfully, warm water and sauna sessions can be deeply relaxing additions to a wellbeing routine.
Make it a habit, not a one-off
The first accessible beach day takes real planning. The fifth one takes almost none, because you know the parking, the transfer routine, the timing and the kit. That is the quiet magic of repetition: outings stop being events and become part of life again. Consider setting a standing date — the same beach, the same fortnightly morning — so the logistics become muscle memory for you and your support team. Many Dora clients tell us the anticipation of a regular ocean morning does as much for their week as the swim itself.
Dora Health and Wellbeing supports people across Perth to get out and into the places they love, including real hands-on experience with beach wheelchairs at local beaches. If a day by the ocean is on your list, contact Dora and let us help you plan it.
Talk to Us About Your Care
Our Perth-based team is happy to answer questions — no pressure, no obligation.