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While the East Coast island of Nantucket, MA, is mainly known for its historic buildings, museums, high-end restaurants, boutiques and fabulous summer homes of the rich and the famous, this dream vacation location is mostly preferred for its beaches.
Spreading along a massive 82 miles around the island, the beaches of Nantucket are among the most gorgeous in the country.
The best part is that due to the local policies, even the private beaches are free to access by the public, so you will get a chance to choose among more than 25 beaches all around Nantucket.
When you book the hotel or, even better, the vacation rental of your choice, you can pick the closest one to the beaches you intend to spend most of your time on.
The northern beaches are on the shore of the Nantucket Sound, and thus the water there is warmer, shallower, and has fewer waves.
The other shores border with the open Atlantic Ocean so that the water can be colder and the waves and surf can be stronger and bigger.
Here are the best beaches on each of the shores of this New England Island.
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Nantucket's North Shore Beaches
Jetties Beach
This is the most popular of all northern shore beaches on the island, both for local residents and vacationers. It can be reached by foot from downtown Nantucket and has shallower, warmer, and calmer water than on the rest of the shores. You can rent sailboats and other watersport gear there or enjoy some amenities, including the tennis court, skate park, volleyball nets, and others on Jetties Beach.
Water Tower Beach
This beach is where the old harbor used to be and has a lake-like calm sea, and the beach itself is perfect for shelling and for quiet walks and relaxing.
Steps Beach
This is among the most Instagrammable beaches on the island. A set of stairs leads to the beach, and on the top, you can enjoy a mesmerizing view of the Nantucket Sound and the harbor.
The beach itself has dunes protecting the shores from the small waves and a few handsome gray-weathered mansions spread near the dunes.
Children's Beach
As the name suggests, this beach is possibly the most suitable one for families with kids. It is right next to town and has a green grassy park, a playground, a snack shack, a stage for dance, music, yoga lessons, restrooms, and more. The water is calmer than elsewhere, and there are lifeguards throughout the summer season.
Brant Point Beach
Although many prefer it for swimming, Brant Point Beach is also the perfect spot to admire the view of the harbor and the sailboats and yachts. Alongside it is the Brant Point Lighthouse, which is the second oldest in the country and the first and last thing that visitors who travel by ferry to the island see.
Dionis Beach
This beach is about 3 miles from town and has gentle surf, warm and safe water, as well as picturesque bluffs. The beach is among the best for picnics, shelling, and swimming. You can also enjoy the view of the Nantucket Sound from it. You can reach it by bike via the Madaket path.
Eel Point
Also known as North Point, this beach is the best place to go for shelling and to witness a stunning sunset. You will need 4WD transportation there and can spot a lot of eels among the seagrass.
Nantucket's South Shore Beaches
Surfside Beach
This is among the most popular south shore beaches on the island and can be reached via the regular WAVE shuttle bus from town.
It is the favorite spot for people who enjoy surfing, boogie boarding and bodysurfing, as its waters are rough and the surf can get relatively high. For this same reason, Surfside beach is not the best place for little children.
There are all types of amenities at this beach, including water sport rentals, restrooms, showers, and a Taco Truck and Snack Bar. The only problem is that it can be quite overcrowded during the peak season.
Nobadeer Beach
This is another beach that is more suitable for adventurers and adrenaline seekers rather than for children. The ACK Surf School is located there, and there are also food trucks, lifeguards, and other services there. It is perfect for kite flying, beach games, and water sports. Plus, you can watch the planes landing or leaving the island from the beach.
Cisco Beach
Cisco Beach is the place where advanced surfers go when there is a big storm. It is also the beach where the Nantucket island Surf School is located. There you can take private or group lessons or rent all kinds of surfing gear and apparel.
Near the beach are the Cisco Brewers and the local vineyard and distillery, where you can enjoy the best locally crafted beverages while listening to live music.
You can go stack up on snacks for the beach on the way there at the grocery store of Bartlett Farm.
Miacomet Beach
This is one of the less crowded beaches on Nantucket and is set between Cisco and Surfside. The long beach is beautiful and offers panoramic ocean views, but the currents are strong there, and there are no facilities on the beach. If you are going with kids or want to swim in calmer waters, you can go to the nearby freshwater Miacomet Pond instead.
Nantucket's Eastern Shore Beaches
Sconset Beach
Take a stroll down the picturesque shell-covered Sconset Bluffs Walk, and you will get to this beautiful secluded beach near Siasconset. The village is among the most charming places to see on the island and is among the best for romantic walks and photo ops, especially at sunrise. You can also walk to see the Sankaty head Light Lighthouse nearby.
Great Point
This beach is where you will find the third lighthouse on Nantucket – the Great Point Lighthouse, located on the island's northernmost point. The beach is 7 miles long and is the top preferred place for anglers. There is an abundance of bluefish and seals. But to get there, you will need to get a permit and a 4WD to drive through the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.
Pocomo Point Beach
Pocomo Point is the north-easternmost point of the island and is considered the leading destination for kiteboarding in the country. It is also perfect for windsurfing and oyster hunting.
The water there is calm and warm, and it is suitable for kayakers and for young children as well.
Quidnet Beach
Quidnet Beach is another excellent choice for families and for sailing and kayaking.
It offers a great view of the Sankaty Head Light and spotting seals.
The beach itself has fine white and soft sand and is great for shelling and picnics.
Nantucket's Western Shore Beaches
Madaket Beach and Smiths Point
It is on the island's western coast and is home to some of the biggest waves on the island and some of the most beautiful sunsets. Since it is located far west, you will need a four-wheel vehicle and a permit to get there.