Where are the potential wheelchair accessible dive sites in Southern California? The below list are based only on possible shore accessibility. I would love to hear from anyone who has dove these or other Southern California sites from a wheelchair. (DISCLAIMER: Every diver is responsible for evaluating their own dive site and determining its suitability given their own ability and the conditions present at the site the day of the dive. The below list are only intended to open a discussion of sites with potential wheel chair access based on the terrain leading to the water and does not reflect their suitability for any diver.)
Orange County:
Montage Resort- Wheelchair ramp to the beach, no sand wheelchair. Currents, short shore break, sharp droppoff which can make exits difficult, large submerged rocks which the current can sweep you over (I was 10 feet from the rock when a wave swept me over this washing machine).
Heisler Park - steep ramp to the sand, but no sand wheelchair on the beach. Reef structure not too far off shore. Currents variable depending on the day.
Divers Cove - wheel chair ramp that ends at the top of 54 stairs??? What was the city thinking when they installed a ramp to the first landing in the stairs leaving 54 stairs to get to the beach? No sand wheelchair. This site has been used before by wheelchair divers (I have seen the video). Currents variable depending on the day.
Crystal Cove - Handicapped parking near the houses and restaurant and two sand wheelchairs, but the dive site is unsuitable most of the time. Conditions have to be just right and the reef is a long way from where the ramp is. Currents variable depending on the day.
Big Corona- parking right on the sand but is there a sand wheelchair? But the dive site is right at the entrance to a harbor meaning more boat traffic. I have never dove there so I do not know the currents or what there is to see?
Any other sites for SCUBA Diving that might be handicapped accessible that might work?
Los Angeles County
Terreana Resort (Old Marineland/Long Point)- Once construction is completed this will have an ADA ramp to the cobblestone beach. Doubt there will be a sand wheelchair but who knows? That leaves only the current, which is often strong and the steep exit as a potential issue at an awesome dive site.
Malaga Cove- long ramp, no sand wheelchair, rough terrain at the bottom to negotiate, huge surf zone. A very weak possibility
White Point- Parking on the beach, or close to it, no sand wheelchair and rocks, big rocks, and not much to see. Not a good site.
Vets Park, Redondo Beach- Stairs, lots of them. I imagine there is a ramp someplace, I know there is one from the bike path to the restroom, but I don't know where the one is from the parking lot to the beach. I will have to look the next time I am there. Still no sand wheelchair
Santa Monica Pier- Park right on the beach, no sand wheelchair, strong currents, poor visibility and nothing to see. Not a good site.
Nicolas Canyon-No sand wheelchair, park on the road, 20 or so stairs. Maybe a site.
Coral Canyon-No sand wheelchair, park on the road, dirt ramp down to beach. Maybe a site.
Paradise Cove- Never dove here due to the steep parking fees and limited time allowed. I know nothing about this site.
Point Dume- Sand Wheel Chair (?) Unknown. Park on the beach, strong currents and a long swim. Not a good site.
Leo Carrillo- park on the beach. Sand Wheel Chair (?) Unknown but as a state beach they may have one. Potential site.
Any other sites for SCUBA Diving that might be handicapped accessible in Los Angeles County that I have not mentioned?
DISCLAIMER: Every diver is responsible for evaluating their own dive site and determining its suitability given their own ability and the conditions present at the site the day of the dive. The above list is only intended to open a discussion of sites with potential wheel chair access based on the terrain leading to the water and does not reflect their suitability for any diver or in water conditions. The ocean is an ever changing environment and conditions at the shore and in the water can and do change, sometimes by the minute. Before diving any location do a careful self-evaluation of both your own ability and current conditions. Each diver is responsible for making their own determination as to the suitability of a given site on a given day and time.
Orange County:
Montage Resort- Wheelchair ramp to the beach, no sand wheelchair. Currents, short shore break, sharp droppoff which can make exits difficult, large submerged rocks which the current can sweep you over (I was 10 feet from the rock when a wave swept me over this washing machine).
Heisler Park - steep ramp to the sand, but no sand wheelchair on the beach. Reef structure not too far off shore. Currents variable depending on the day.
Divers Cove - wheel chair ramp that ends at the top of 54 stairs??? What was the city thinking when they installed a ramp to the first landing in the stairs leaving 54 stairs to get to the beach? No sand wheelchair. This site has been used before by wheelchair divers (I have seen the video). Currents variable depending on the day.
Crystal Cove - Handicapped parking near the houses and restaurant and two sand wheelchairs, but the dive site is unsuitable most of the time. Conditions have to be just right and the reef is a long way from where the ramp is. Currents variable depending on the day.
Big Corona- parking right on the sand but is there a sand wheelchair? But the dive site is right at the entrance to a harbor meaning more boat traffic. I have never dove there so I do not know the currents or what there is to see?
Any other sites for SCUBA Diving that might be handicapped accessible that might work?
Los Angeles County
Terreana Resort (Old Marineland/Long Point)- Once construction is completed this will have an ADA ramp to the cobblestone beach. Doubt there will be a sand wheelchair but who knows? That leaves only the current, which is often strong and the steep exit as a potential issue at an awesome dive site.
Malaga Cove- long ramp, no sand wheelchair, rough terrain at the bottom to negotiate, huge surf zone. A very weak possibility
White Point- Parking on the beach, or close to it, no sand wheelchair and rocks, big rocks, and not much to see. Not a good site.
Vets Park, Redondo Beach- Stairs, lots of them. I imagine there is a ramp someplace, I know there is one from the bike path to the restroom, but I don't know where the one is from the parking lot to the beach. I will have to look the next time I am there. Still no sand wheelchair
Santa Monica Pier- Park right on the beach, no sand wheelchair, strong currents, poor visibility and nothing to see. Not a good site.
Nicolas Canyon-No sand wheelchair, park on the road, 20 or so stairs. Maybe a site.
Coral Canyon-No sand wheelchair, park on the road, dirt ramp down to beach. Maybe a site.
Paradise Cove- Never dove here due to the steep parking fees and limited time allowed. I know nothing about this site.
Point Dume- Sand Wheel Chair (?) Unknown. Park on the beach, strong currents and a long swim. Not a good site.
Leo Carrillo- park on the beach. Sand Wheel Chair (?) Unknown but as a state beach they may have one. Potential site.
Any other sites for SCUBA Diving that might be handicapped accessible in Los Angeles County that I have not mentioned?
DISCLAIMER: Every diver is responsible for evaluating their own dive site and determining its suitability given their own ability and the conditions present at the site the day of the dive. The above list is only intended to open a discussion of sites with potential wheel chair access based on the terrain leading to the water and does not reflect their suitability for any diver or in water conditions. The ocean is an ever changing environment and conditions at the shore and in the water can and do change, sometimes by the minute. Before diving any location do a careful self-evaluation of both your own ability and current conditions. Each diver is responsible for making their own determination as to the suitability of a given site on a given day and time.
