Nantucket has a beach for every preference. Some attract families with young children; others are favored by the older crowd who prefer an afternoon comfortably reclined with a good book under an umbrella; while others appeal to the twenty-something group listening to loud music and playing beach games. The great variety of beaches on the island allows visitors to experience rolling waves or soft surf, varying light, and unique settings. From the expansive sandbars of Eel Point and Dionis beaches to classic Surfside and Fisherman’s beaches (with good bike access, and the Surfside Shack for burgers and dogs) to the bohemian surfer scene at Fat Ladies and Cisco beaches, Nantucket can provide a perfect seashore setting for every liking.
Yet, with all that variety, there is something that all the Nantucket beaches have in common: broad stretches of pristine sand, lovely views, gentle ocean breezes—and room.
Never crowded despite being cited by the Travel Channel as home to “America’s best beaches,” the island has strands that face virtually every point on the compass. The beaches on the north shore of the island have a gentler surf, suitable for children, with the exception of Brant Point, which has a strong current. The south shore beaches, on the Atlantic side of the island, tend to have cooler water temps than those on the north shore, and heavier surf, too. On the eastern end of the island, quiet inner harbor beaches contrast with ’Sconset beach and its dramatic bluffs.
Whether you seek a setting with billowing masses of beach roses, undulating dunes, or a shoreline that offers the best opportunities for shell-collecting, Nantucket has a beach for you and this chapter celebrates them. After all, beginning in the 1870s, vacationers were drawn to the island for its spectacular, and restorative, “sea-bathing,” an activity loved to this day by residents and visitors alike.
We know your beach-cruising adventure will have to include a picnic, so we have put together a classic menu of sandwiches, salad, and dessert that travel well and satisfy a day-at-the-beach appetite. We kept in mind the vegetarian as well as the omnivore as we chose sandwich recipes, and we believe you’ll love them both. Wherever your holiday cruising takes you, we think these picnic goodies will become summer go-to favorites.
Long after your Nantucket vacation has drawn to a close, we think you’ll be reminiscing about that delicious picnic lunch with friends as much as the stunningly beautiful, soul-renewing beaches of the Faraway Island.
There are so many beautiful beaches on Nantucket, it’s good to know a little about your choices before you set off for a day of strolling, lounging, and saltwater swimming. Here’s info on nine that suit a range of ages and tastes.
On the island’s north shore, the beaches face Nantucket Sound, which means the water is warmer and the waves are smaller than at the south shore beaches. For these reasons, families with young children often choose these beaches:
Jetties Beach, at 4 Bathing Beach Road, is an easy walk (or bike ride) from town, and with its shallow, calm water, it’s well-suited for young families. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented, and there are changing rooms with showers. When everyone is tired of swimming, there are other options: a playground, volleyball nets, and tennis courts. You can even arrange for sailing lessons.
Children’s Beach is located off Harbor View Way (across from the Steamboat Wharf in town) and, as its name suggests, this is a popular spot for young families because of its shallow waters and lack of waves.
Brant Point, at 2 Easton Street, is within walking distance of downtown and is a perfect place to lounge and watch sail and motor yachts come and go. For that very reason (heavy boat traffic), plus the fact that there are no lifeguards on this beach, it is not a good choice for swimming. But it is very picturesque. So pretty, as a matter of fact, this beach and the iconic lighthouse at its tip attract photographers and artists.
On the island’s south shore, the beaches face the Atlantic Ocean, making them ideal for beachgoers who favor surf and don’t mind the cooler water. There, you’ll find these three beaches:
Surfside, at the end of Surfside Road, is one of the most popular beaches on Nantucket—for locals and visitors. You can get to this beach from a three-mile bike path or via shuttle service from town. Families with older kids and young couples love this beach for its easy access and amenities. Surfside is wide, so you’ll find plenty of room to set up camp for your picnic.
Nobadeer, near the airport, is known for its party scene. Not surprisingly, this beach is popular with surfers and college kids. It is also one of the few beaches you can drive on (an attraction for some, a turn-off for others!), so keep that in mind before you head out. This beach has no lifeguards and no rest rooms, so it’s not for everyone.
Cisco, on Hummock Pond Road, is a great choice for avid surfers or those who just enjoy watching big dramatic rollers. While you can rent surfboards and stand-up paddle boards here, do so with caution as this stretch is known for strong riptides.
On the island’s east shore, which meets the Atlantic Ocean, the beaches are known for gorgeous bluffs and long stretches of nearly empty sand. Two beaches here are worth considering:
‘Sconset, on Cod Fish Park Road, is picture-postcard pretty. The beach is a little more difficult to get to than others on the island, which means you’ll be rewarded with fewer people and a mellow, more grown-up vibe. There tends to be heavy surf and strong currents off the island’s east shore beaches but ’Sconset is a lovely choice for the right person. Also known as a great spot for seal-watching.
Great Point, which is off Great Point Road on Wauwinet Road, is a CRU favorite for its gorgeous surroundings of conservation land and water on both sides where the harbor meets the ocean. It’s a long beach (seven miles), with Great Point Lighthouse at its end, and the views are lovely. This excellent spot for surfcasting is only accessible by four-wheel drive. Stopping on your way back to town at the Wauwinet Inn for a glass of champagne or hand-crafted painkiller is always a special treat.
On Nantucket’s west shore, we have an insider’s tip and it happens to be the best place on the island to catch the sunset:
Madaket Beach, just off Madaket Road, is where you’ll find a beautiful soft-sand beach with lots of privacy. This area is known for dangerous undertows, riptides, and strong surf, though. So, while it’s ideal for hanging out for the day with an umbrella and good book, and watching some of the island’s best sunsets, it’s not so great for someone who likes to be out in the water catching waves.
