Nantucket has 10 public beaches, most with
lifeguards and at least a few facilities.
Here they are in order of distance from Nantucket
Town:
Children's Beach
Right on the harbor, an easy stroll
from the town center, it has a playground
for the kids, picnic tables for all, toilets,
showers, and a bandstand with free concerts
on Thursday and Sunday evenings in summer.
Brant Point Beach
A short walk northwest from the town center
toward Brant Point Lighthouse. You probably
saw the beach when you came to Nantucket
by ferry: it's the one on the starboard
(right) side of your vessel. However, it
is subject to strong currents and
there are no facilities whatever and no
lifeguard, so
it's suitable for capable swimmers only.
Jetties Beach
Nantucket's complete beach: not far from
town, full facilities, great for families
or indeed anyone. It offers a boardwalk
to the beach, changing rooms, toilets,
public tennis and volleyboall courts, a
kids' playground, rental windsurfers, sailboats
and kayaks, even beach-accessible wheelchairs.
Come by bike or
by NRTA
shuttle bus.
Francis Street Beach
On the east side of the harbor, a five-minute
walk from the town center, the waters are
calm and thus relatively safe for kids,
and though there are toilets there is no
lifeguard.
Surfside Beach
Nice broad beach with good facilities (lifeguard,
toilets, showers), though it lives up to
its name and the surf and breeze can be
heavy at times (which makes it good for
surfcasting fishers and kite-flyers). Bring
a picnic as you're 2.2
miles (3.5 km) south of the town center,
though there is a snack stand. Follow the bike
path, or
take the NRTA
shuttle bus.
Miacomet Beach
West of Surfside on the south shore, it is
farther from the town, with heavier
surf,
and less easily accessible, thus less-visited.
There's a lifeguard, but
no other facilities.
Dionis Beach
A favorite with locals because
it's three miles (5 km) west of town, and thus
less crowded with mainland visitors. The dune-sheltered
beach, calm waters, lifeguard, toilets and
showers make it a good choice for families
who can get there by bike.
Cisco Beach
Like Miacomet, a south shore beach with heavy
surf best reached by bike (4
miles from town along Hummock Pond Road).
No facilities except a lifeguard.
Madaket Beach
At the western tip of the island, this is
where you go to watch the sunset rather
than to swim, unless you like heavy
surf.
There's a lifeguard and toilets, and food
sold nearby. Get there by bike (5.5
miles/9 km) or NRTA
shuttle.
Siasconset Beach
Bring your bathing suit when you ride
bikes or take
the shuttle to 'Sconset and you
can take a dip in the ocean as well as
see the village, use the public toilets,
and benefit from the cafes and restaurants.
