The 5 Best Nantucket Beaches

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  • 1. Madaket Beach

    Madaket Beach
    Eric Gross
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    On the far west coast of Nantucket, the beautiful beach of Madaket has soft sand that stretches seemingly endlessly along the Atlantic coast. Despite its obvious appeals the beach never get crowded with sunbathers and those looking to just relax tending to stay near the village.

    Madaket beach has the strongest waves on the island, and there can be very dangerous rip tides and undertows here. This is not a… read more »

  • 2. Sconset Beach

    Sconset Beach
    Doug Butchy
    Great for:
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Located on the eastern tip of the island, Sconset Beach faces the rolling Atlantic waves and has strong currents. It is near the Siasconset Old Historic District and is accessed along a boardwalk and foot bridge from Gully Road. The area has changed little since it began as an 18h century fishing village. The wide beach is quiet and uncrowded with easy access to the ocean.

    Children can have fun at… read more »

  • 3. Surfside Beach

    Surfside Beach
    Bob P. B.
    Great for:
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Situated on Nantucket South Shore and 3 miles from downtown, Surfside Beach lives up to its name with powerful Atlantic waves, strong currents and cooler water.

    It's a great beach for families with plenty of space for picnics, sandcastles and ball games as well as fishing. There are food concessions, a taco truck, showers and restrooms - no wonder it's one of the most popular beaches with locals and tourists of… read more »

  • 4. Cliff Beach

    Cliff Beach
    Tim Sackton

    Located on the north-facing coast of Nantucket Island overlooking Nantucket Sound, Cliff Beach is north of Town Pasture and close to Nantucket Cliffs which stand about 11 metres high.

    The white sandy beach is edged by dunes with tracks providing access to the sand. The easiest public access is from Nantucket Beach Club and then walk west.

    You can still see the remaining two conical white towers known as the Nantucket Cliff… read more »

  • 5. Jetties Beach

    Jetties Beach
    Jeff Dell
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Jetties Beach is a large sandy on the north shore of Nantucket, facing the Cape Cod coastline and protected by Nantucket Sound. It is on the outskirts of the town and takes its name from the large jetty that protrudes from the point of land at the entrance to Nantucket Harbor.

    There is ample parking near the beach including disabled parking spots. You can also take the NRTA shuttle bus… read more »