Nantucket Beaches
Nantucket offers you beaches that you will remember forever. They are presented here for you in alphabetical order that in no way represents any order of beauty or amenities, and although you probably won’t be able to visit them all, for each you miss you will be missing something well worth visiting.
From Brant Point, with its view of the traditional lighthouse after which it is named, to the appropriately named Children’s Beach, with just a little surf and a lot of fun along with a lifeguard patrol to keep your children safe, Nantucket has everything to offer. Whether its seaside fun or just privacy and solitude, you will find it on one of these Nantucket beaches. If you are seeking good surfing then Miacomet Beach delivers that in spades, and Jetties Beach is great for the younger element with a skate park, volleyball nets and a playground. Whether you can swim or not, and irrespective of if you are young, old, sporty or just want to lie on the beach, Nantucket beaches have something to please you.
Brant Point
Brant Point offers a great view of the lighthouse, and is set close to town, right at Harbor Channel. You can watch the boats come in and out of the harbor, or cast for some of our excellent stripped bass from the rocks by the lighthouse. You can bark at Brant Beach, but there is little else to do. However, if you want a bit more fun, then Jetties Beach is close by.
Children's Beach
This is aptly named because it is safe for small children, with very light surf and lifeguards to keep a careful eye out on your kids. Situated right at the harbor, it offers a snack bar and a playground. Just head for Steamship Wharf and you will find Children’s beach just west of there. This beach offers you free weekend concerts at the bandstand.
Cisco Beach
Cisco Beach is a bit further out of town – about four miles along Hummock Pond Road. It’s good for surfing with some good waves, and has a lifeguard patrol to make sure you don’t get into too much trouble. You can fish from Cisco beach, and the parking is good.
Jetties Beach
Jetties about 20 minutes or so walk from town on North Beach Street, and if you don’t feel like walking you can get there by shuttle bus or bicycle. There is also parking, although this tends to get full pretty quick and you are best to take the bus. It is ideal for families, with only small waves and loads of amenities such as the skate park, volleyball nets, tennis courts, restaurant, bathhouse and playground. You can rent water sports equipment, and there are lifeguards. Plus restrooms of course. If you are in Nantucket on July 4th there are fireworks on the beach and a sandcastle-building competition in August.
Madaket Beach
Madaket Beach lies to the west side of Nantucket, at the end of Madaket Road. It is famed for its Nantucket sunsets, and you can cycle along the six mile bike path that runs alongside. The surf is quite heavy, so this is only for strong swimmers, although lifeguards are present. It also has restrooms and food, and you can fish here if you want.
Miacomet Beach
Miacomet Beach has even stronger surf than Madaket, and this is only for expert swimmers or surfers. There are no lifeguards, so this beach is only recommended for swimming to good surfers and strong swimmers. You can fish here, but there are no amenities whatsoever - so not for families.
Miacomet Pond
While not strictly a beach, Miacomet Pond is included because it is the only fresh water stretch of water on Nantucket. It’s great for kids, but the pond holds snapping turtles so keep a good eye out for these. There are no lifeguards or any other amenities here, but there is a car park.
Nobadeer Beach
This is not an easy beach to get to, and Nobadeer has no parking. There are no facilities and no lifeguards, and people only come here for solitude and privacy. It’s a great place if you just want peace and quiet and a place to reflect on life. It’s not well used and you are almost guaranteed enough space for yourself.
Siaconset Beach
Head off down Milestone Road to the end and you will come to Siaconset Beach. It’s good for fishing, offers heavy surf and has restrooms, but not a lot more. Its not one of the more popular of the Nantucket beaches, but there is a lifeguard patrol.
Surfside Beach
To reach Surfside Beach you head off down the aptly named Surfside Road, and the beach is at the end. You can get there by car, trolley or bicycle and is more popular with the younger set due to the heavy surf that is not suitable for children. Surfcasting and bodysurfing are popular on Surfside, and there is also volleyball, showers bathrooms and lifeguards. Surfside Beach also offers a snack bar and telephones, though the free parking lot fills up pretty quickly so get here early.
Tom Nevers Beach
This is not as popular as most of the other Nantucket beaches, and although it offers fishing, there is very little else. It is difficult to get to with fairly heavy surf, not really suitable for swimming. With no lifeguards present, only string and expert swimmers should enter the waters at Tom Nevers. It is another of those beaches good if you want time to yourself.
These are the Nantucket beaches, and they offer something for everybody, whether you are a surfer, have a family with young children, seeking fun by the sea or are just looking for solitude. However, make sure that you are a good swimmer with some of these beaches not recommended for families since they can produce some strong surf. |
