Dolphins, gators, and fish, oh my! Welcome to sunny Florida, where these animals and more are as abundant as the UV rays. When people think about adventure in Florida, the activities that come to mind may not sound very accessible to people who use wheelchairs or have limited physical abilities.
However, fear not. Lying on the beach, deep sea fishing, and even snorkeling are all possible for every Florida visitor if you pick the right spots. So take your seat and grease your wheels: we’re going to take a roll around the Sunshine State and highlight accessible ways to get your blood pumping.
Dolphin Spotting on the Florida Panhandle
Let’s start in the Florida Panhandle, often referred to by locals as LA for “lower Alabama.” This region is renowned for its stunning white sand beaches and clear blue waters. One special treat for visitors is dolphin-watching along the Emerald Coast, and thanks to Olin Marler Charters, everyone can take part. The Hannah Marie offers 1.5-hour narrated dolphin watching cruises out of Destin Harbor. The cruises are accessible for guests in manual or electric wheelchairs with a maximum width of 26 inches. There are stairs to get to the top and bottom decks, and on-board bathroom space is limited. Nevertheless, the dolphin-viewing experience is fantastic from the accessible main deck.
A visit to the panhandle wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the beach. Wheelchair users can stay in Pensacola and take advantage of a motorized beach wheelchair rental with Access Mobility of Pensacola. If you’d rather relax in your own wheels, Panama City Beach has a Mobi-Mat that allows wheelchair users to roll to the water’s edge. Furthermore, the city has also purchased two floating Mobi-Chairs that allow people with mobility issues to strap in and actually go into the ocean. There’s no cup holders, though, so keep your beverage in the cooler. Additionally, more Mobi-Mats and beach wheelchairs can be found around the coastal corner on Siesta Key Beach near Sarasota.
Airboats and Snorkeling Adventure on the Gulf Coast and the Keys
The Sarasota area just south of Tampa Bay is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque parts of Florida, including Myakka River State Park. This lush habitat, just nine miles east of Sarasota, is full of stunning scenery and diverse water birds—not to mention alligators. Both manual and electric wheelchair users can get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures aboard one of the world’s largest covered air boats with Myakka Wildlife Tours. Afterward, you can enjoy some bird-watching from the park’s accessible boardwalk.
Snorkeling and deep-sea fishing are popular activities for locals and tourists in the Florida Keys. Fortunately, whether wheelchair users want to catch fish or swim with them, it’s all possible in Key Largo. Tranquil Adventures provides people with a wide range of disabilities the chance to relish the Keys lifestyle. They have adaptive equipment, wheelchair-accessible boats, and a custom lift that allows people who cannot climb a ladder access to the water for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking. Captain Mick also books deep-sea fishing charters if you’re eager for some fresh mahi mahi.
Simulated Skydiving in South Florida
Now we’ll head away from nature towards some adrenaline-pumping adventure. A lot of people believe it’s ridiculous to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, which explains the popularity of iFly, an indoor skydiving facility with three locations in Florida. After saying goodbye to the gators, you can visit the iFly Fort Lauderdale location, where every second Thursday of the month they host All Abilities Night. Although there are some health and weight restrictions, knowledgeable instructors are present to ensure wheelchair users can experience the thrill of skydiving in their wind tunnel without ever needing to board a plane.
Flying High in Central Florida and the Space Coast
If experiencing the simulated excitement of the open sky isn’t enough for you, how about the real thing? Second to actually visiting Walt Disney World is flying over it—in a hot air balloon, of course. Thompson Aire in Orlando offers adventurous wheelchair users the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful early morning glide over the heart of Florida. They have a hot air balloon basket that’s equipped with benches for those who can’t stand. Guests will need to be carried into the basket and into the van at the landing site if they can’t transfer on their own. Nonetheless, the combination of friendly staff at Thompson Aire and a sense of adventure will soon have wheelchair users soaring through the sky.
Still not enough excitement? Then shoot for the stars! To the east of Orlando lies Florida’s Space Coast and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Here, wheelchair users can partake in the Center’s exhilarating Shuttle Launch Experience, which veteran astronauts claim is the next best thing to actually flying in the shuttle. For the launch simulation, each crew cabin is equipped with an accessible seat featuring a pivoting grab bar that allows visitors to transfer directly from a wheelchair to the seat. If a visitor cannot transfer to the seat or chooses not to participate in the simulation, a Launch Observation Room is available near the crew cabin, where guests can experience the launch without the simulation.
Mind Games in Jacksonville
Not ready to leave Florida just yet? Engage in an escape adventure at The Great Escape Room in Jacksonville—for an hour, at least. Escape Room games challenge teams to solve puzzles and escape within a time limit, usually 60 minutes. All four themed rooms are wheelchair accessible, enhancing the fun for everyone involved. Your mind, not your legs, will be your greatest asset!
