I think Magens would be your best bet, because it has more infrastructure than other beaches.

And Magens has actually just installed a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the water which will make it very easy - their bathrooms are also ramped and wheelchair-accessible. Enjoy your day!

Here is a third vote for Magens. It also has a shallow, sandy entrance and is usually very calm. Also there are lifeguards and the other stuff already noted.(tu)

Magens again! Parking is close to the beach and a gentle grade to the water! Definitely your best bet!

Thanks for your responses. I have also heard Secret Harbor may be a good choice. We will be renting a car. She doesn't need a wheelchair. but does carry a small oxygen container. She can walk a very short distance if we can park nearby. It is best if she doesn't have a long way to walk from the car to beach and beach sand to water. Also are charis available for rent? Thanks again.

Hi Travelbug,

Magens, Secret Harbor, Sapphire... they would work as far as short walking distances.

They do rent chairs at Magens, they are by the concession (the food/drink is there too). You have to rent the chairs and drag them to your spot yourself and bring them back at the end of your beach time so you can get your deposit back. If you want a chair and want to make it easier on yourselves you'd want to pick a spot close to the concession. Once through the admission gate at Magens if you turn right you will come to a small parking area by some restrooms. If you can find a parking spot there you are right by the sand, very short walk to the water, close to the restroom and pretty close to the concession area for chairs/food/drinks. If your friend has a handicap parking permit they should bring it and that way you can park in the handicap spot which is available in that small parking area. If no parking spots there you can continue around either left or right and find an area close to the sand where some folks can get out while the driver gets a parking spot nearby. The water here is usually very calm and deepens gradually, its also sandy.

At Secret Harbor there is a short walk along a paved path from the parking/road to the beach. The driver could pull up right by the path and let some in your group out and then get a parking spot. There is limited parking here, a lot of it is for condo/hotel guests so look out for the signs. There are chairs for rent here at the dive shop. The water here is usually very calm, there are some spots with rocks in the water but mostly sandy. The water is clear so seeing and avoiding the rocky spots is fairly easy. It deepens gradually.

At Sapphire, the driver could pull right in front of the lobby and let people out and then go around to the parking lot which is pretty close-by. The walk from the lobby to the beach isn't far and its paved. There are chairs for rent here too, at the dive/water-sports booth. They will help you out with putting the chair where you want. The right side of the beach here is rocky, has good snorkeling. The left side is sandy. It is usually pretty calm but does deepen or drop off quickly.

--Islander

I think the beach at the Elysian on Cowpet Bay would also be quite easily accessed, with parking close to the beach. I'm not sure but I believe the lounges are available for rent. There are two restaurants there. It is another sandy bottomed, calm beach with some interesting snorkeling along the left side of the beach.