The Shoreline Edit: Nantucket's Beaches

08/12/2025

North Shore

Brant Point

• Known for its scenic views of Nantucket Harbor

• Features Brant Point Lighthouse – the second-oldest lighthouse in the U.S.

• The Boat traffic and strong currents make it less convenient for swimming

• Good Nantucket Channel fishing

• Perfect spot for relaxing and watching boats pass by

• It is a popular spot for photography with beautiful views, often used for wedding photos

Jetties

• Defined by its large rock jetties, which have guided arriving and departing ships since 1911

• Offers numerous amenities for all ages:

  • Large parking lot

  • Wheelchair-accessible ramp and walkway to the beach and Sandbar restaurant

  • Clean restrooms and changing rooms

  • Playground for kids

  • Features calm, flat waters and shallow sandbars

  • Access to Nantucket Community Sailing

    • Offers sailing lessons for all ages, sailboat rentals, and kayak/SUP rentals.

• Ideal for:

  • Families

  • Children

  • Elderly visitors

Steps

• A beautiful beach known for its serene atmosphere andcalm, warm waters – ideal for swimming

• Accessed via a series of flagship wooden steps, giving the beach a secluded, hidden gem feel

• Next to Galley Beach

  • Features a high end restaurant offering various meals throughout the day, as well as

• The view from the top of the steps is one of Nantucket’s most spectacular sights

• Best suited for:

  • Families

  • Visitors looking to escape the fast pace of town

Children’s Beach and Playground

• Located in town, along the calm waters of Nantucket Harbor

• Great for swimming, and is geared towards younger children

• Features a paved walkway with:

  • Benches

  • Ramps to nearby accessible restrooms

  • Direct beach access is limited for wheelchairs

  • Boat launching ramp

• Playground just behind the beach includes:

  • Fun obstacles and traditional playground amenities children of all ages

  • Slides and swings (including some with back support for small children)

  • Offers easy access to nearby facilities

• Very limited space, and may not be a viable option for large groups.

Dionis

• A calm, family-friendly beach known for:

  • Soft white sand

  • Gentle waves

  • Scenic views of passing ferries and sailboats

• Amenities include:

  • Seasonal lifeguards

  • Restrooms and changing rooms

  • Vending machines

• Dogs are allowed if leashed

• Recreational shellfishing and fishing permitted (with a license)

• Entrance requires descending down a steep metal ramp, making access a bit more difficult for visitors with limited mobility

• Popular for:

  • Swimming

  • Shell collecting

  • Birdwatching

  • Long beach walks

40th Pole

• A popular beach on Nantucket with:

  • Calm, shallow waters

  • Soft sand

  • Beautiful views

• Ideal for:

  • Swimming

  • Fishing

  • Driving on for the day or sunset cookouts (with a valid permit)

• No lifeguards, but waters are typically very safe for swimming

• Accessible via Eel Point Road

• Beach driving permitted year-round, except during:

  • Designated shorebird nesting seasons

  • Temporary or seasonal erosion-related restrictions

• Great for:

  • Birdwatching

  • Seasonal shellfishing (with a permit)

South Shore

Madaket

• Known for:

  • Soft sand

  • Heavy surf

  • Incredible sunsets

• Access options:

  • By car

  • Via a scenic 5.5-mile bike path

  • Through seasonal bus service

• Swimming and surfing may involve:

  • Strong waves

  • Potential rip currents

• Millie’s restaurant (located just before the beach on Madaket Road) is open for:

  • Food - mexican cuisine, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas + more

  • Drinks - a wide variety of cocktails and kid friendly drinks

• A quieter beach, ideal for:

  • Relaxed strolls

  • Enjoying natural beauty

  • Unforgettable sunsets

  • Easily accessible, making it suitable for elderly visitors as well

Cisco

• A popular beach for:

  • Surfing

  • Swimming

  • Fishing

• Known for:

  • Vast sandy beach

  • Some of the best surf on island

  • Open ocean views

• Amenities and features:

  • Seasonal lifeguards

  • No permanent restrooms, but seasonal concessions are available

  • Two parking lots

  • Seasonal ramp access

  • Well-paved bike path to the beach

  • Dogs allowed on leash

  • Fishing (with a license)

• Also great for:

  • Birdwatching

  • Seasonal shellfishing (with a permit)

Ladies Beach

• Offers a peaceful and scenic escape with soft sands and rolling waves

• Located within the Smooth Hummocks Coastal Preserve

• Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, beach walks, and picnics.

• Expect moderate waves suitable for surfing, body surfing, or boogie boarding at low tide. This hidden gem is quieter than other Nantucket beaches, making it a favorite for those seeking tranquility.

Miacomet

• Known for its wide sandy expanse, popular amongst some surfers due to consistent swell.

• Be mindful of strong currents and undertow

• A calmer alternative for swimming and relaxation is the nearby Miacomet Pond.

  • When visiting Miacomet Pond make sure to be conscious of algal blooms, as higher severity blooms can pose life threatening injuries through ingestion or exposure

• Has parking and lifeguards during the summer as well as nearby restrooms

• Miacomet offers a quieter beach experience compared to other Nantucket beaches and is close to conservation lands, a golf course, and local businesses like Bartlett's Farm and Cisco Brewers.

• Accessible by car, bike, or the NRTA/WAVE shuttle.

Madaquecham

• Madequecham Beach is a secluded spot known for its natural beauty and tranquility

• It boasts dramatic dunes and pristine sand, offering opportunities for relaxing, exploring, picnicking, fishing, surfing or boogie boarding

• Madequecham is popular with surfers due to its strong swells

• Access is via a long, winding dirt road, and parking is limited

• Visitors should be mindful of the strong currents when swimming.

Nobadeer

• Energetic and lively atmosphere

• Popular with young adults and surfers

• Waves ideal for surfing and bodyboarding

• Beach driving with a permit and 4WD is allowed

• Occasional food trucks

Surfside Beach

• Wide sandy area

• Moderate waves, perfect for swimming, surfing, and beach activities

• Easily accessible via Surfside Road or bike path

• Lots of parking

• Lifeguards, restrooms with changing rooms and showers, and a food truck offering a variety of cuisines

• Good for shore casting, especially for Striped Bass, and in the off-season, it becomes a spot for dog walking and bird watching

East Shore

Sconset Beach

• Popular beach just moments from Sconset town center

• Known for its heavy surf, soft sand, and ease of access

• The beach is accessible by shuttle and bike paths

• Limited parking

• Lifeguards are on duty in the summer

• Public restrooms and a notorious sandwich shop, Claudettes, are a short walk away in the village

• Beachside playground, making this beach ideal for families and those accompanying young children

Great Point

• Remote, northernmost point on the island

• Great for fishing (best access via boat rental or charter fishing)

• Features the historic Great Point Lighthouse and miles of sandy shoreline.

• Access requires a 4x4 vehicle with a permit.

• Avoid swimming at Great Point as it’s home to many seals and sharks

Pocomo

• Relaxing atmosphere

• Calm, shallow harbor waters

• Ideal for families with young children

• Popular spot for many water activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and kiteboarding

Quidnet

• A tranquil and scenic coastal retreat known for its beautiful ocean views and soft sand

• Neighboring Sesachacha Pond.

• Perfect for beach walks, swimming, and reading.

• Less crowded than other beaches alike, providing a peaceful escape for those seeking a quiet place to relax