There's nowhere quite like the beach for those days or moments in life when you just need to get away from it all and relax. Beaches are the simplest places in the world, offering nothing but sea and sand for everyone to enjoy. They allow us to get back in touch with nature and savor the little things in life like the smell of salty air, the sound of waves lapping against the shoreline, or the feeling of the sun beating down on our skin and sand beneath our toes. Beaches have a special place in the hearts of everyone, and there are countless different activities one can enjoy on a beach, from simple sunbathing and relaxing to swimming, fishing, or watching the sun go down.
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North America is home to some extraordinary beaches on all sides, with the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts all featuring their own array of sandy shorelines for locals and tourists to enjoy. Many of the most famous beaches in the United States are found in locations like California or Florida, but New England has a lot of lovely beaches as well. The little island of Nantucket, for example, off the coast of Cape Cod, is surrounded on all sides by top class beaches that have helped this Massachusetts island become a premier summer resort spot.
Best Beaches in Nantucket
Barely 10,000 people live on Nantucket, but tens of thousands more are drawn to the island when the weather gets warm in order to bask in the sun and relax on the sandy shores. No matter what kind of beach you're looking for, whether it's a family-friendly location for kids to do some paddling or more of a party atmosphere beach for college kids and tourists looking for fun, you'll find a lot of options to choose from on the island of Nantucket. Read on to learn more about Nantucket’s best beaches.
- Children's Beach
Not far from Steamboat Wharf, this beach is very aptly-named. It's the perfect spot for kids, so if you're heading to Nantucket as a family and want to find a great spot for the little ones to do some paddling in the water, Children's Beach should be your first port of call. Lots of family-friendly activities are also organized here, along with live entertainment. The waters are protected due to the harbor, resulting in almost no waves whatsoever and very safe conditions overall.
- Nobadeer
Also nicknamed 'Brobadeer' by some beach-goers, this Nantucket beach isn't far from the island's airport and has traditionally been one of the main party beaches for spring and summer break students and other young travelers. If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, this is the place to be and it's not uncommon to hear a lot of music and hear a lot of chatter on this beach as groups of young people enjoy themselves and do some surfing. This is one of the only beaches on Nantucket that is suitable for driving too, which is another advantage of Nobadeer.
- Siasconset
If you're the sort of person who loves to feel like you have a beach all to yourself, Siasconset is the place for you. This is an eastern shore beach looking out onto the vast Atlantic Ocean with very big waves and cool waters. It's quite tricky to access, meaning few people actually take the time to visit it, which results in very low numbers of beach-goers and a whole lot of privacy for the folks who do take the time to head down there. Due to its east-facing nature, this is a lovely beach to visit in the mornings and watch the sunrise, and it's also a super spot to catch a glimpse of local wildlife like seals.
- Jetties Beach
Located on the north shore, which tends to have the calmest and warmest waters due to the protection offered by the nearby Nantucket Sound, Jetties Beach is one of the most accessible beaches, just a short walk from town. It's a popular place with the locals and has a lot of cool features to appeal to families and active beach-goers of all ages including volleyball courts, tennis courts, a skate park, and a play area for the kids. You can also book sailing tours or lessons here, and the water is just right for swimming too. The Boston Pops on Nantucket annual summer event is held here too and is one of the biggest occasions of the year for the island.
- Great Point
Here's one for the fishermen on Nantucket. Situated over on the eastern side of the island off Wauwinet Road, Great Point is home to the Nantucket Lighthouse, which is a lovely little landmark to snap some photos of, and is also known for providing the best fishing conditions of any Nantucket beach. All kinds of species can be caught here and even if you don't care about fishing, Great Point is a super spot to visit to check out the lighthouse and unique views offered by this beach.
- Surfside
Down on the southern shore of the island, where the waves tend to get highest and the currents are quite rough, Surfside is an ideal spot for surfers. The water here is cooler and the conditions are just right for surfing, but swimming isn't really recommended. Nevertheless, even if you're not a surfer, you can still find a lot to love about this beach. It offers some beautiful views and there's a lot of space for everyone to spread out, as well as good amenities like restrooms and eateries. Shuttle services run to and from this beach from the town as well.
