Nantucket has many wonderful beaches.

Pack a picnic and enjoy the sun!  Or, bring your mask & snorkel and find a hermit crab, local blue claw crab or whelk's conch. 

Harbor beaches offer calm water and hypnotic views of sailboats and ferries.  They are a haven for children and adults alike.

• Brant Point
  This beach is small, but offers a fantastic view of the channel for boats traveling to and from the harbor.  Surf is mild, although subject to boat wake.  There is a steep drop off in the channel and swimmers should be alert for boat traffic as they swim.  Lighthouse offers fishermen and women a vantage point for casting - good for bass, flounder, etc.  Moderate walk from downtown.  No parking for cars.
  
  
• Children's Beach
  This in-town small harbor-side beach is a child's paradise with grassy play area and sandy playground.  Snack bar and bathrooms are also available.  Surf is non-existant and lifeguards are on duty.  The Public Landing is also here - great for watching boats come and go.  Short walk from downtown. Limited parking for cars.
  
  
• Jetties Beach
  A large beach with long fingers of sand on either side of the harbor jetties.   Swings, slide, snack bar, restrooms make it a perfect family beach.  Umbrella and chair rentals available.  Great for walking and shell collecting.  Surf is mild and lifeguards are on duty.  Sunfish and windsurf rentals available here as well.  15-20 minute bike ride from downtown area - or take the local beach shuttle bus!.   Limited parking available for cars - bike racks also available.
  

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Out of town beaches are larger with beautiful vistas and are usually less crowded than the harbor beaches. 

• Cisco
  A beautiful beach offering long miles of sand and ocean - great for walking or sunbathing.   Surf is heavy and there are seasonal life guards stationed at the main beach.   Located 4 miles from town - an easy bike ride.  Small and very limited parking lot available for cars.
  
  
• Madaket
  There is both semi-harbor and surf available here.  Madaket's beaches are the furthest west you can get on this small island - making it perfect for sunsets!   There can be heavy surf on the surf portion of the beach.  The harbor side is more calm.  Seasonal lifeguards are present on one section of the beach only.   Located 5 miles from town - a bike path makes the journey quite pleasant.   Limited parking for cars.
  
  
• Miacomet
  Located down a winding sand road, near the public golf coarse, it is a beautiful beach.   Miacomet pond (fresh water) borders one side of the beach and surf on the other side.  The pond is great for kids who like to fish and frolic in the calm water.  Surf is moderate to heavy and no lifeguard is on duty.  No facilities are available and there is very limited parking for cars. 
  
  
• Nobadeer
  This a large, scenic beach located near the airport -  in a bit more remote location.  Surf can be moderate and there are no lifeguards or other facilities here. Distance is 4 miles or so depending on your route.
  
  
• Siasconset or 'Sconset
  This lovely beach is located in the village of 'Sconset.  Surf is moderate to heavy depending on wind direction and lifeguards are stationed at the main entrance.  It is long and goes for miles.  It is overlooked by tall cliffs with fantastic homes and the Sankaty Lighthouse.  It is located 7 miles from downtown and is easily reached by taking the local beach bus.  'Sconset offers some wonderful deli type eateries and more exclusive restaurants (Chanticleer, Summer House, etc.).  Limited parking for cars.
  
  
• Surfside
  Popular with families and young people.  Great for kite flying. Lies between Cisco and Nobadeer.  Somewhat larger parking lot available for cars and bikes.  Surf is moderate to heavy and seasonal lifeguards are on duty.  Snack bar and restrooms are available.   Located 3 miles from downtown and an easy bike ride via the bike path.

*The Shuttle Bus can be picked at different location throughout town depending on desired destination.  Please visit or contact the Tourist Information Bureau for more information.  Shuttles travel to and from most beaches several times during the day.

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