With over 80 miles of shoreline, Nantucket offers a beach for every preference. From calm, family-friendly harbors to dramatic surf beaches with legendary sunsets, here's your complete guide to finding the perfect spot.
Understanding Nantucket's Beaches
Nantucket's beaches fall into distinct categories based on their location and characteristics:
North Shore Beaches
Protected from ocean swells, north shore beaches offer calm, warmer water perfect for swimming and families with young children. The gentle waves and gradual depths make these ideal for less confident swimmers.
- Jetties Beach - Most popular, full amenities, walkable from town
- Children's Beach - Harbor beach, playground, perfect for toddlers
- Dionis Beach - Calm water, beautiful dunes, less crowded
- Brant Point - Near lighthouse, good for watching ferries
South Shore Beaches
Facing the open Atlantic, south shore beaches feature waves, surf, and cooler water. These are perfect for bodysurfing, surfing, and those seeking more dramatic ocean conditions.
- Surfside Beach - Most accessible, good waves, lifeguards
- Cisco Beach - Best surfing, near Cisco Brewers
- Madaket Beach - Famous sunsets, strong currents
- Nobadeer Beach - College crowd, near airport
East End Beaches
The Sconset area offers quieter, more scenic beaches with the charm of the historic village nearby.
- Sconset Beach - Village beach, bluff walk access
- Codfish Park - Quiet, residential area access
Remote Beaches (4WD Required)
For those seeking pristine, undeveloped shoreline, these beaches require over-sand vehicle permits but reward with solitude and wildlife.
- Great Point - Lighthouse, seals, excellent fishing
- Coatue - Harbor side, calm water, remote
- Smith's Point - South shore, very secluded
Best Beach For...
Families with Young Children
Children's Beach or Jetties Beach - Both offer calm water, lifeguards, restrooms, and food. Children's Beach has a playground; Jetties has more space and activities.
Surfing
Cisco Beach - The island's best and most consistent surf break. Also good: Surfside and Madaket on the right swells.
Sunsets
Madaket Beach - Legendary west-facing sunsets. Bring a blanket and arrive an hour early for the full show.
Solitude
Great Point (with 4WD) or Dionis Beach (accessible). Both offer escape from summer crowds.
Walking
Surfside to Cisco - Walk the shoreline between these two beaches (about 2 miles). Or try the Sconset Bluff Walk for clifftop views.
Swimming
Jetties Beach or Dionis Beach - Calm, warm water with lifeguards. Perfect for actually swimming versus fighting waves.
Beach Amenities Comparison
| Beach | Lifeguards | Restrooms | Food | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetties | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Children's | Yes | Yes | Yes | Street |
| Dionis | Yes | Yes | No | Small lot |
| Surfside | Yes | Yes | Yes | Large lot |
| Cisco | No | Portable | No | Sticker req. |
| Madaket | No | Portable | Nearby | Available |
Parking & Access
Beach parking is one of the trickier aspects of Nantucket beach-going:
- Jetties & Children's - Walkable from downtown (10-15 min), limited parking
- Surfside - Large parking lot, also accessible by bike path
- Cisco & Madaket - Require beach stickers for parking (available from town)
- Dionis - Small lot fills early in summer, bike recommended
Pro tip: Biking to beaches is often easier than driving, and most beaches have bike racks. The Surfside and Madaket bike paths are flat and scenic.
Beach Day Essentials
- Sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours - the ocean breeze is deceptive)
- Water and snacks (not all beaches have food)
- Beach umbrella or tent (minimal natural shade)
- Layers for late afternoon (sea breeze gets cool)
- Cash for parking meters and snack bars
- Bike lock if cycling to the beach
- Check tide charts - some beaches are much better at certain tides