Travelling after ACL surgery: my personal experience and milestones

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery is followed by a tough and often frustrating recovery process, especially for those who love an active lifestyle. Travel and adventure might seem impossible at first, but with the right mindset and gradual progress, you can still find ways to enjoy both. This article is based on my personal experience recovering from ACL reconstruction. My goal is to share ideas for small adventures that helped me stay motivated and mentally positive while recovering.

Disclaimer: Before sharing my experience, I want to emphasise that ACL recovery is highly individual. If you’ve had an ACL reconstruction, your surgeon and physiotherapist are your best sources of guidance. I only had ACL reconstruction – if you have additional injuries, such as a meniscus tear, your recovery will likely be different.

Important things to know about ACL surgery

An ACL reconstruction is a common surgery for athletes. However, surgeons use different protocols, even for the same type of graft, and bodies react differently to surgery and rehabilitation. Some people may hit milestones earlier, while others may take longer, and mental readiness also plays a big role. Always follow your surgeon’s protocol and physiotherapist’s advice.

It’s important to remember that while you may feel capable of doing certain activities early in recovery, your graft is not at full strength for several months – in fact, it’s at its weakest between 5 and 12 weeks post-surgery. Pushing yourself too soon can increase the risk of re-injury, so always be cautious and follow medical advice.

This article is not medical advice; it is my personal experience aimed at helping fellow active travel lovers find ideas and plan small adventures during recovery. ACL rehab is long, complicated, and often frustrating. There will be setbacks – both physical and mental. Having things to look forward to and milestones to celebrate will make a huge difference.

Small adventure ideas during the early recovery (first four weeks post-surgery)

I wouldn’t plan any major activities in the first four weeks. Pain, fatigue from anaesthesia, and the effort required for rehab exercises took up most of my energy. I actually hardly left home (except to see my physio) during my first two weeks post-surgery. My priority during these four weeks was allowing my body to heal and achieving key milestones in leg movement range, especially extension. But we still had a few small adventures that made me feel good:

• Takeaway lunch in a park with a view: I got dropped off and picked up at a disabled parking spot to minimise walking. I made sure I could sit with my leg elevated if needed and that it was easy to quickly go home if I started not feeling up for it.
• Chasing sunsets: Even if you can’t venture far, finding a nearby spot to watch the sunset turns ordinary days into special moments.
• Staycation in a room with a view: Being stuck at home can be draining, so a hotel stay with a scenic view was a welcome change of scenery (see above Circle on Cavill* and Peppers Soul* in Surfers Paradise). A walk-in shower was particularly convenient, and some hotels offered lovely spaces to do basic rehab exercises.
• Travelling from your sofa: Pick a nearby restaurant that serves food from a region you’re curious about, order a meal and turn it into a full experience by playing music from that country or watching a movie or documentary that showcases its culture. If you’ve got a keen friend who loves to cook, they might even use one of my “recipes to travel“. A delicious way to keep your travel spirit alive while resting!

Gradual steps to outdoor adventures (four to six weeks post-surgery)

By weeks four to six, I started exploring gentle, travel-related activities while continuing to prioritise recovery and safety. At this stage, walking short distances and enjoying seated experiences became realistic options – but only for brief periods at first.

Accessible walks

My first outdoor adventures were on pram-friendly or wheelchair-friendly paths. Just before my fifth week, I began short walks on smooth, flat, hard surfaces to rebuild my confidence. Trails with benches were ideal to rest when needed. Boardwalks along the coast, rivers, and through mangroves became my favourites as they provided both stability and beautiful scenery. Walking slowly also turned me into an avid birdwatcher; it’s a peaceful way to enjoy nature while taking breaks.

Even when I technically no longer needed crutches, I carried one for added safety for a few extra days. I never ended up using it, but having it with me provided reassurance to push a bit further and encouraged people to give me more space in crowded areas.

Enjoying foodie experiences

Travel is often about savouring new flavours and recovery doesn’t have to stop that. I used this time to explore local dining and tasty experiences:

• Special dining experiences: Instead of just eating out, I sought unique options like degustation menus, trying new cuisines or choosing restaurants with stunning views.
• Wineries and breweries: Visiting local wineries or breweries was a gentle outing, especially those offering seated tastings or accessible tours suited for slow walkers.
• Picnics with a twist: Combining foodie experiences with scenic spots, like enjoying takeaway treats at lookouts or calm beaches, made simple outings feel special.

Cultural experiences

Recovery is also a chance to explore enriching, low-impact activities. If you usually focus on active and adventurous activities, then you should have plenty of slow-paced activities to discover.

• Workshops: Local cooking classes or art workshops offer fun, creative outlets while allowing you to rest your knee when needed.
• Museums and galleries: You may need to focus on one exhibit at a time as you’ll get tired from being up, but many places have benches or cafés to rest.
• Local performances: Theatre shows or live music in seated venues can give you a cultural fix without needing to be on your feet for long. However, sitting with the leg bent and not elevated is highly uncomfortable (or even sometimes painful) at the beginning of the recovery. I struggled to stay in the same position for a long time, even after six weeks. While I was on crutches after my injury (before surgery), I attended a couple of football games at big stadiums and found their accessibility information and services quite helpful to plan my visits and make it easier and more comfortable.
• Cultural tours: If you’re lucky to live in a place with history, you might find tours to experience your local area with a different point of view. Cultural tours are often accessible for those with reduced mobility, it’s worth enquiring if they’re on flat paths and have seating areas.
• Cultural festivals: Check if foreign communities have any celebrations planned in your local area. It can be an easy and accessible way to immerse in a different culture for a short time without too much effort. We’re lucky to have many festivals like that in Brisbane!

Going camping (week 7)

I love camping because it’s a great way to connect with nature and unwind. Our camping trips often revolve around cooking over a fire and enjoying a slow-paced experience in beautiful settings, so I knew that even with my recovery limitations and not being able to hike, I could still enjoy the atmosphere.

However, camping posed some logistical challenges. We sleep in a tent on a mattress on the ground, and getting up from the ground was tricky. At home, I had furniture to help push myself up, but at the campsite, I had to develop a technique that, while not particularly graceful, worked. By the sixth week, I started feeling more confident getting up from lower positions.

Choosing campsites with easy access to amenities was also crucial. Walking on uneven ground, especially at night, is risky, so plan ahead to avoid unnecessary movement in the dark. We scheduled a camping trip for the end of my seventh week (though it was ultimately cancelled due to bad weather), and I really felt ready for it.

Camping required extra planning, but with the right setup, it can still be an enjoyable and achievable adventure during recovery. You could also search for glamping options for added comfort.

Going to the beach (week 8)

Two months after surgery, I tested my ability to walk on the sand. By taking it slowly and focusing on stability, I found it manageable. Walking on firmer, wet sand near the water was easier than loose, dry sand. Every step was a test of strength and control, and you surely don’t want to push it too hard too soon, but it felt rewarding to return to the beach. To feel more confident, you can use trekking poles for added stability. Bringing a lightweight, portable chair can also make it easier rather than getting up and down from the ground.

Even if you don’t feel ready to walk on the sand, there are often more accessible paths along the beach where you can still soak in the seaside atmosphere, so the trip will be worth it!

Going on a boat (week 12)

About 12 weeks after surgery, I went on a small catamaran – quite a different experience from being on a large cruise ship – and it was fine. The most challenging part can often be embarking and disembarking, especially if balance or big steps are involved. On my friends’ boat, I was able to sit on the edge and swivel in, which made the process much easier. Catamarans are more stable than monohull boats, and we chose a calm day to explore the bay. I stayed seated the entire time the boat was moving and only moved around once we were anchored and conditions were steady.

If you’re considering a boat tour earlier in your recovery, it’s worth contacting the operator in advance to ask about accessibility and what support they can provide. A few years ago, while I was on crutches, I experienced Vivid Sydney from a boat. The crew helped me embark and disembark safely, and I stayed seated the whole time. It turned out to be a wonderful way to explore the harbour with minimal walking.

As for big cruise ships, they’re generally designed to be accessible to people of all mobility levels. If you notify the cruise line in advance, they can usually offer assistance and accommodations tailored to your needs, even early in your recovery. Many large ships offer priority boarding and even shore excursions adapted for those with mobility limitations.

Responsible travel tip: Large cruise ships often raise sustainability concerns. The average cruise passenger can emit up to eight times more CO2 than someone holidaying on land, and even the most efficient ships produce more emissions per passenger kilometre than planes. Cruises also generate sewage, waste, and underwater noise that affects marine life. If you’re eco-conscious, consider a different travel option, or at least spend time in researching cruise lines that invest in cleaner technologies and more sustainable practices. You can read more about ‘green cruises’ and their impacts on the climate here.

Trying exciting new experiences

As your confidence to stand grows, you can look for ways to bring a sense of adventure back into your life with scenic helicopter flights, wildlife safaris in open-top vehicles, or even a gentle boat cruise to soak in beautiful landscapes while seated.

Ask about accessibility

Tourism operators are increasingly good at providing accessible activities, or at least clear information so you can understand what’s possible. A few years ago, when we travelled to the French Alps with older family members, we asked about accessibility and found it really worthwhile. For example, we were able to take a chairlift to a stunning lookout because the operators agreed to slow it down and stop it so those with limited mobility could safely get off. We also reached a glacier with a stunning restaurant using a cable car, where the staff offered extra help to make embarking and disembarking easy.

If you think hot air balloon flights are out of reach if you cannot climb over the edge of the basket, Easy Access Baskets now exist.

Never hesitate to ask, you might be surprised by how willing operators are to help make an experience possible.

Taking my first big trip (three months post-surgery)

After 10 weeks, I noticed significant progress in my recovery. I got cleared by my physio to start the “strengthening phase” and started going to the gym for harder exercises. This stage felt like a turning point where planning a “real” trip became possible, albeit with careful consideration. I still needed to avoid activities involving turning, sideways movements, or any situation where I might lose balance. Safety and control remained my top priorities.

When choosing a destination, I prioritised places where I wouldn’t feel like I was constantly missing out on activities that were still off-limits. So I planned a trip to Vietnam, a destination I had always been attracted to culturally, but that wasn’t highly focused on hiking in national parks or scuba diving like many other places on my dream list. The trip allowed me to explore cities, enjoy local food, visit natural wonders and learn more about a new culture without the pressure of high-impact adventures.

Key considerations at this stage

• Cycling: Leisurely cycling became possible around two and a half months post-surgery, though it took time to build confidence. I started on flat bike paths, focusing on smooth pedal strokes and avoiding sudden stops or turns. I had no issues at all cycling on roads during my holidays.
• Motorcycling (passenger): I was surprised that sitting at the back of a motorcycle was more challenging than cycling! It’s actually not the sitting part that posed an issue, but getting on and off the motorbike without twisting or forcing my leg to bend more than it wanted (it hurt my hamstring for some reason). Luckily, I got the option to use a smaller motorbike, and my driver was kind enough to adjust and make me go up before him and out after him, which was harder for him but so much easier for me!
• Walking on more challenging terrain: I was no longer limited to flat, smooth surfaces. Planning easy walking trails felt safe, but gauging my limits for duration and distance was tricky. I prioritised building endurance early on at home, even just by increasing walks on flat ground.
• Finding your limit… don’t overdo it: According to my surgeon, anything involving straightforward, linear movement with no risk of falling or sudden turns was fine. The key was to feel fully in control, especially when venturing onto new terrain or unfamiliar paths. It’s also important to gradually increase the amount of activity to test how your knee is reacting and avoid a big flare-up.
• Risk management: I avoided slippery surfaces and uneven trails with steep drops. Supportive footwear was essential for feeling more confident and, while we travelled with my walking poles, I never needed them.

Rehab while on holidays

When I travelled during my ACL recovery, I didn’t always stick to my rehab exercises. We had a busy schedule, and I accepted that it might delay my next milestone a bit. I’d sometimes use downtime on flights or while waiting for pickups (or the elevator!) to do calf raises, quad sets or single-leg balance exercises.

You might feel differently and want to stay consistent, even on holiday or a staycation. In some destinations, it’s easy to access a gym: many resorts have one, or local gyms offer short memberships. The simplest option is to ask your physio for a plan you can do anywhere, with body weight and resistance bands (and maybe get creative to find makeshift weights!).

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Missing a few sessions won’t undo your progress. Recovery is about balance too and an opportunity to build sustainable, long-term habits that will positively impact your health.

Impact on travel insurance

We always purchase travel insurance when we go overseas. I did declare my ACL reconstruction as a medical condition. Because I was fully mobile and pain-free without the need for crutches, supports or braces and had no further investigations or procedures (not including physiotherapy), it didn’t come as an extra, which was a good surprise. Luckily, I have no idea what would have happened with the insurance should I had hurt my knee again.

Did you go travelling after your ACL surgery? Share your experience in the comments below!

Recovering from ACL surgery can feel long, frustrating and sometimes lonely, but small adventures and travel-inspired moments can bring so much light to the journey. Take things step by step, celebrate every win (no matter how tiny) and trust that, in time, bigger adventures will come back into reach. Be patient with your body, stay curious and kind to yourself, and keep that spark for exploring the world alive, even if, for now, it starts close to home. You’ve got this!

What about scuba diving?

Scuba diving deserves a dedicated article; it was one of the most confusing activities to navigate during my ACL recovery. After my first surgery, I was cleared for diving too early by both my surgeon and physio. In hindsight, I realised they likely only considered the time spent in the water, without fully understanding the physical demands involved in getting on and off the boat, carrying gear, and moving on slippery surfaces.

If you’re thinking about diving again post-ACL surgery, it’s worth having an honest chat with your physio and explaining the full picture of what you have planned and not just the underwater part! I’m hoping to share more details in a separate article.