From harbor vistas to moorland panoramas, Nantucket offers views that inspire artists and photographers. Here are the best places to take in the island's beauty.
Whaling Museum Rooftop
Best Harbor View
The highest publicly accessible point downtown. 360-degree views of the harbor, town rooftops, and church steeples. Included with museum admission.
Altar Rock
Best Panorama
The island's highest point (101 feet) with sweeping views of the moors and ocean in the distance. Rarely crowded, always stunning.
Brant Point
Most Iconic
The lighthouse with harbor and ferry views. Watch boats come and go. Perfect at sunset. The most photographed spot on the island.
Sconset Bluff Walk
Best Coastal Views
Clifftop path with dramatic ocean views and rose-covered cottages. One of the most scenic walks on the island.
Madaket at Sunset
Best Sunset View
The legendary west-facing beach where the sky explodes with color. No better place on the island to end the day.
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Best Lighthouse View
Red-and-white striped tower on dramatic coastal bluffs. The lighthouse itself is photogenic, and the surrounding views are spectacular.
Sanford Farm Barn Overlook
Best Moorland View
From the historic barn, look out over rolling moors to the ocean. The quintessential Nantucket landscape.
Great Point
Best Remote View
Lighthouse, seals, pristine beach - all at the island's remote northern tip. Worth the 4WD adventure.
Tupancy Links
Best Near Town
Easy walk from downtown with elevated harbor views. Great sunset spot without the trek to Madaket.
Straight Wharf
Best Harbor Activity
Watch ferries arrive, fishing boats unload, and sailboats cruise by. The bustling heart of the waterfront.
Photography Tips
- Golden hour (1-2 hours before sunset) offers the best light
- Morning fog can create dramatic, moody shots
- Bring a wide-angle lens for landscapes
- The ferry arrival/departure makes for great harbor shots
- Early morning means fewer people in your photos