Best Nantucket Beaches Near Each Neighborhood
Discover the best Nantucket beaches near popular neighborhoods like Town, Surfside and Sconset.
Discover the best Nantucket beaches near popular neighborhoods like Town, Surfside and Sconset.
One of the biggest decisions when planning a Nantucket vacation is choosing where to stay. But equally as important is choosing the beach or beaches you'll visit throughout your trip.
While some Nantucket neighborhoods are known for the beaches just steps away, others offer access to several nearby options. Your choice may depend on the experience you're looking for.
Whether you're seeking calm water for young children, surf-friendly waves for thrill seekers, sunset views, or long stretches of remote shoreline, here’s our William Raveis agents’ guide to the best Nantucket beaches near many of the island's most popular neighborhoods.
Best Beaches:
Visitors staying in Town enjoy some of the island's most convenient beach access.
Children's Beach is ideal for families with young kids thanks to its calm harbor waters and playground. Jetties Beach offers soft sand, swimming, and nearby dining, while Brant Point Beach provides beautiful harbor views just minutes from Town.
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Best Beaches:
Brant Point offers some of the easiest beach access on Nantucket.
Jetties Beach is a favorite for swimming and family beach days, while Brant Point Beach offers views of the harbor entrance and passing boats. Both are easily accessible on foot from most Brant Point homes.
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Best Beaches:
Cliff combines luxury residential living with access to some of Nantucket's quieter north shore beaches.
Steps Beach is known for its scenic staircase and sunset views, while Dionis offers calmer water and a more secluded atmosphere. Cliff Beach provides a convenient option for a quick swim or beach walk close to home.
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Best Beaches:
Sconset's beaches feel distinctly different from those on the north shore.
The Atlantic-facing coastline offers dramatic scenery, ocean views, and a quieter atmosphere that pairs perfectly with the village's charm. Visitors staying in Sconset often enjoy morning walks along the beach and afternoons spent enjoying the ocean breeze.
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Best Beaches:
For many visitors, Surfside Beach is the reason they choose the neighborhood in the first place.
Wide sandy beaches, bike path access, and stronger surf make this one of the island's most popular areas for active families. Nearby Nobadeer offers a more expansive beach experience and attracts visitors looking for additional space.
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Best Beaches:
Cisco is Nantucket's surf capital.
Cisco Beach is known for its waves, beach culture, and proximity to Cisco Brewers. Nearby Miacomet offers another excellent south shore beach option, while Ladies Beach provides a quieter alternative for beachgoers seeking fewer crowds.
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Best Beaches:
Madaket offers some of the island's most spectacular natural scenery and is famous for sunsets, while Smith's Point feels wonderfully remote and wild. Families who choose Madaket often appreciate the slower pace, open space, and less crowded beaches.
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Best Beaches:
Mid-Island may not sit directly on the water, but its central location provides convenient access to stores and restaurants, and surprisingly, several of Nantucket's most popular beaches.
Many visitors appreciate being just a short bike ride or drive from both the north and south shores.
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Best Beaches:
The Hummock Pond area offers easy access to some of Nantucket's most popular outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy beach days at Cisco or Miacomet while also taking advantage of kayaking, paddleboarding, and nature experiences on Hummock Pond itself.
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Best Beaches:
Monomoy offers harbor views, quiet luxury, and easy access to calmer waters. The beaches here tend to feel more peaceful than some of the island's busier south shore destinations, making them especially appealing to families and visitors seeking a slower pace.
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Town
Brant Point
Sconset
Surfside
Cisco
Madaket
Mid-Island
Monomoy
