Information for Visitors with Mobility Disabilities
A Florida Keys vacation means a great getaway to one of the most unique places on earth. Most lodgings, attractions and recreational activities are specially equipped to enhance the participation and enjoyment of everyone, yet in some cases visitors with mobility disabilities may need the assistance of a member of their party to fully utilize these areas.
Accommodations
Florida state statutes require all licensed lodging facilities to provide at least 5% of the guest rooms with certain handicapped accessible criteria. Features vary depending on your selected hotel/resort.
For a complete list of Florida Keys accommodations, visit our Places to Stay page.
Visitors are encouraged to discuss their accessibility needs when they contact the individual establishments direct.
Attractions & Areas Of Interest
What is your idea of fun? Florida Keys attractions have accessibility for all our visitors to pursue their passion and enjoy some of the most notable features of the Keys: the beautiful water, world-class fishing and its natural wildlife and delicate marine ecosystems.
Each of our attractions is designed to offer fun for everyone, with resourceful staff to further assist visitors with mobility disabilities; many are designed with wheelchair-wide entrances or front gates for ease of entry.
Key Largo features a three-pool complex at Jacobs Aquatic Center, with a 24'x44' ramp-accessible multipurpose MYRTHA pool (3-4' deep) equipped with a lift and utilized for swim classes, water aerobics, aqua therapy programs, and recreation. Key West's main campus of Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) has a lift-equipped Jr. Olympic-sized pool frequented by student swim team members as well as for use as a scuba diving and recreational swimming complex.
All Florida Keys fishing boats can accommodate a variety of fishing — such as back country, night or deep sea — some vessels, such as Key Largo's Tranquil Adventures, are specifically equipped for wheelchairs, have accessible bathrooms, and offer a lift to lower disabled passengers into shallow water for snorkeling and swimming.
Islamorada features an exhibit at the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum called "Diving A Dream." Matt Johnston, of Woodbury, Minn., made diving history in November 2006 when he became the first paralyzed scuba diver who breathes through a ventilator to complete two successful ocean dives in the Florida Keys. To read more about Matt's unparalleled story, click here.
Or, you may wish to experience a swim encounter or interact with dolphins; such fully-accessible and inherent special needs programs are made possible by non-profit centers such as Key Largo's Island Dolphin Care Center and Marathon's Dolphin Research Center.
State and marine parks throughout the Keys offer wheelchair-accessible trails for bird watching, and glass-bottom, snorkel and dive boats, and beach wheelchairs for guests, including Curry Hammock State Park, Bahia Honda State Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. When possible, visitors should either contact an individual park for availability or make a request online prior to your visit, simply to ensure that accommodations and/or equipment will be readily available upon arrival.
Dining
All our Florida Keys restaurants are ready to welcome you in our friendly and laid back dining venues. A variety of fresh delicacies are available in the Keys, from local seafood to ethnic dishes and meat-based specialties.
For a complete listing of each region's restaurants, visit:
The Arts
Public, theatrical venues throughout the Keys are ADA-accessible, featuring wheelchair-accessible seating, as well as convenient parking and ramps for people with disabilities.
As special arts and cultural events with arrangements and availability are made for attendees with disabilities, we will be posting them here. Click here for a complete listing of Arts & Cultural activities.
Transportation
Ground transportation in the form of shuttle buses is available from the Key West airport to area hotels. If an area accommodation does not provide its own shuttle, on your behalf they can contact a local taxi company that does provide accessible transportation either between the hotel and airport or your island destination.
Key West's Five Sixes Taxi provides a Para Transit taxi which can accommodate both manual or electric wheelchairs. Four passengers with two wheelchairs, or five passengers with one wheelchair can ride comfortably. They provide local transportation as well as any destination in the Florida Keys.
We encourage you to confirm such transportation with your individual lodging property.
For getting around the island(s), local public and tour transportation with wheelchair access is available, such as the Conch Tour Train and Key West Trolley Tours. The City of Key West also provides accessible public bus service. Click here for a schedule and more information.
For a historically interesting and unique day trip, ferry transport service between Key West to Sunset Key and day tours to the Dry Tortugas are each wheelchair-accessible.
Many visitors not only arrive in the Keys on sailing and motorized vessels, but like to visit our many waterfront marinas. Although there are not formal ADA guidelines for marinas, the City of Marathon has recently equipped the Boot Key Harbor City Marina with floating docks and additions for equal access to all marina services, including dinghy docks, boardwalks and parking facilities.
Equipment Rentals
Scooters, manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, hospital beds, portable oxygen
Although individual attractions or retail businesses do not have wheelchairs readily available for public use, these can be rented on a daily or weekly basis from only a limited number of locations in the Keys. For rental fees, deposit information, contact either of these establishments:
- Coral Medical (Sweetwater Medical), Mile Marker 87.8, Islamorada, 305-852-4393
- Four Star Rentals, 5216 US1, Stock Island (Key West), 305-294-7171
- Medical Care Services, Mile Marker 91.8, Tavernier, 305-501-2306
It is recommended to travel with your own or rent and bring a collapsible wheelchair, to ensure availability during your stay as well as for easy trunk stowage while driving around the islands.
Power wheelchair repair and mobility scooter repair are also available to assess and respond to your needs. WI Medical Services services the Keys from Key West to Miami and beyond. Certified repair technicians can provide phone consultation or on-location support while people are traveling. Contact 1-877-895-0039.
Destination Information
The Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Development Council
P.O. Box 866
Key West, FL 33041
800-FLA-KEYS (352-5397)
Florida Keys Visitor Center/Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
106000 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
800-822-1088
(305) 451-1414
Islamorada Chamber of Commerce
83224 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
800-322-5397
(305) 664-4503
Marathon Chamber of Commerce
1222 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
800-262-7284
(305) 743-5417
Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce
MM31/Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
800-872-3722
(305) 872-2411
Key West Chamber of Commerce
510 Greene St.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-2587
Florida Keys Council for People with Disabilities
Lower Keys (305) 292-4500
Middle Keys (305) 743-0079 ext. 4562
Upper Keys (305) 852-1469 ext. 4562
Other Resources
- Able Trust offers helpful links to disability resources throughout the state of Florida. Contact direct at 888-838-2253
- Florida Disabled Outdoors Association is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and enhancing the opportunities for outdoor recreation. Contact for more information 850-201-2944
- Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) provides recommendations and resources for travel agents and to help travelers with disabilities plan their vacations. Contact direct 800-513-1126