12 Best Nantucket Beaches

© Cavan/stock.adobe.com

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.

© CurtisCPhotos/stock.adobe.com

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.

© Faina Gurevich/stock.adobe.com

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.

© Mariia/stock.adobe.com

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.

© alwoodphoto/stock.adobe.com

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.

© Stephen/stock.adobe.com

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.

© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

Nestled along the shore of Nantucket Harbor is the hidden gem known as Cathcart Beach. This small and out-of-the-way driving beach is located between the Shimmo and Monomoy areas of Nantucket and is the perfect beach to visit for an afternoon of kayaking with kids. Cathcart Beach is arguably at its best during the summer as the water is shallow, calm, and warm – perfect for families coming by with young children. Get in a great view of the harbor while enjoying the beach and the water, and be sure to come early if you’re visiting in the summer as parking can get tricky. It’s important for visitors to Cathcart Beach to note that there are no nearby amenities for the beach other than seasonal restrooms care by the Nantucket Land Bank.

© Greg/stock.adobe.com

Situated along Nantucket’s south shore is Cisco Beach, a favorite amongst surfing enthusiasts thanks to its heavy surf. In addition to its heavy surf, the beach is blessed with a shallow sand bar at low tide that is perfect for surfers to hang around while waiting to head back out and catch a new wave. Just because it’s got a heavy surf doesn’t mean only surfers are welcome. Cisco Beach is also home to a huge white beach that is frequented by swimmers, fishermen, and beachgoers who want nothing more than to soak up the sun while relaxing on the sand.

© Christopher Seufert/stock.adobe.com

One of Nantucket’s most idyllic and beloved beaches is undeniably Dionis Beach. Visited and frequently by just about anybody, Dionis Beach features calm and clear blue waters that are perfect for families with young children and recreational swimmers. From Dionis Beach, guests can get a gorgeous view of the many sailboats and ferries that travel to and from the Nantucket Harbor all while enjoying the relaxing sun, surf, and sand. Visitors to Dionis Beach can make use of well-kept amenities such as rest rooms, changing rooms, and even water spigots that are perfect for quickly washing sand off your body. For visitors who get hungry, there are several vending machines located along the shoreline with a variety of drinks and snacks.

© Christopher Seufert/stock.adobe.com

When Hurricane Esther hit Nantucket in 1961, it split the beach in two and created Smith’s Point. As a result of this, the beach is sometimes referred to as Esther’s Island. Featuring 1.5 miles of beautiful barrier beach, Smith’s Point is situated on the westernmost end of Nantucket just a stone’s throw from Madaket Village. The beach has a northern and southern shoreline separated by idyllic dunes, from which visitors can get an unbeatable view of the stunning and popular Madaket Sunset. Four-wheel drive vehicles are welcome to visit the beach provided they are experienced as the sand on the beach is soft. For guests who intend to enjoy beach driving, it is advisable to bring along a tow rope, a jack, jack boards, and a shovel for safety purposes.

© bilanol/stock.adobe.com

Located on the west end of Nantucket is Eel Point Beach, a gorgeous natural area just waiting to be Located on the west end of Nantucket is Eel Point Beach, a gorgeous natural area just waiting to be discovered by curious visitors. Featuring 100 acres of land characterized by towering sand dunes and saltmarshes, Eel Point is a haven for nesting shorebirds. As such, much of its shores are typically closed to visitors during the spring and summer months or closed off with restriction signs. In the areas open to the public, guests can enjoy warm and calm waters as well as great views of the conservatory land protected and managed by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation. During the winter, guests are welcome to drop by Eel Point Beach to enjoy beach driving as the sand is densely packed.

© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

Beach goers who want to enjoy a quiet day at the beach while in Nantucket ought to visit Low Beach. It is one of Nantucket’s lesser-known beaches, and as such, is one of the quietest. A hidden gem well off the beaten track, Low Beach is best for individuals who want to get away from the business and crowds of the other beaches on the island. It’s also a great place to see some of Nantucket’s most beautiful wildlife with birding areas nearby and many seals lounging around in the nearby surf. While swimming is allowed at Low Beach, the waters of this beach are deeper and are prone to stronger and faster currents. Visitors who plan to go for a swim at Low Beach should be sure to always have a buddy nearby and must be confident and experienced swimmers.