What to Pack for Nantucket: The Practical List
What to bring for the ferry, beach, cool evenings and everything in between
What to bring for the ferry, beach, cool evenings and everything in between
Nantucket has long been known as the “Grey Lady of the Sea,” a name inspired by the fog that can settle over the island without much warning. This nickname is also helpful to remember when packing for a trip to the island. On many days, a bright beach morning can give way to a breezy afternoon with a passing shower or a cool dinner outdoors.
With this in mind, our agents often advise visitors to pack for three Nantuckets: the breezy ferry ride, the sunny beach island, and the cool, foggy evening that can arrive without much warning. In other words, pack layers!
The good news is that you probably need less than you think. Nantucket is casual, many vacation rentals have a washer and dryer, plus bulky beach and baby equipment can often be found at your vacation home or rented locally. Confirm what your rental includes before filling the car with things like beach chairs, towels or your travel crib.
Every vacation home is equipped differently. Ask your rental agent about these items before your trip:
Many Nantucket rentals provide bed linens, bath towels, beach towels and at least a few beach chairs. Umbrellas, wagons and coolers are less consistent, but can often be rented and delivered to your rental home.
Vacationers sharing a rental should also coordinate before leaving home. Six adults rarely need six bottles of sunscreen, three coolers and four hair dryers.
Pro Tip: All of this information is listed under the “Amenities” section in each rental listing on the Rental Listings page.
Nantucket’s daytime uniform is simple: comfortable clothes that can move from brunch in Town to the beach.
Pack breathable shirts, shorts, casual dresses, swimsuits and cover-ups. A linen shirt or light cotton sweater is useful when the breeze picks up. If you plan to bike, bring clothes you can comfortably ride in and a small backpack rather than a large beach tote.
For a weeklong summer visit, most travelers will be well covered with:
Pro Tip: Bring more than one swimsuit. A damp suit left hanging overnight may still be damp the following morning, especially during a foggy stretch.
Warm afternoons can turn into cool evenings quickly. The temperature often feels several degrees cooler near the water, and the breeze becomes more noticeable after sunset.
A cotton sweater, light fleece or jacket belongs in your bag throughout the summer. This is especially true if you’re taking an evening harbor cruise, eating outside, watching the sunset in Madaket or riding the ferry’s outdoor deck.
Late-August and September visitors should add a pair of jeans or lightweight pants and a closed-toe shoe. Beach weather often continues after Labor Day, but mornings and evenings usually feel more like fall.
A light-weight rain jacket is more useful than an umbrella on a windy island. Choose something light enough to keep in a tote or backpack.
Rain rarely needs to cancel an entire day. Town, the Whaling Museum, galleries, shops and restaurants can all fill a wet afternoon. Our guide to rainy-day activities on Nantucket has more ideas.
Nantucket’s cobblestones are unforgiving. Comfortable sandals, loafers, flats and nice tennis shoes work almost everywhere, including many of the island’s better restaurants.
Ladies, leave stilettos at home. If you want height for a wedding or formal event, a wedge is a safer choice.
Bring sneakers if you plan to explore the conservation trails or bike around the island. Flip-flops are fine for the beach, but they’re less pleasant during a long afternoon in Town.
Nantucket is relaxed, but people tend to dress up for dinners on island. A sundress, linen pants, a collared shirt, polished sandals or loafers will work at most restaurants.
Casual restaurants welcome beach clothes during the day, though it’s advised to bring a dry cover-up and a shirt. For dinner at places such as Topper’s, Galley Beach or The Chanticleer, dress as you would for a nice summer dinner out on the town.
Unless a restaurant or private club gives you a specific dress code, a jacket and tie are rarely necessary.
Check the rental listing or ask your agent before bringing chairs, towels or a wagon. Many Nantucket vacation homes already have beach chairs and towels available for guests.
If the house doesn’t have what you need, beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, wagons and children’s beach toys can be rented on the island. Some companies deliver directly to vacation homes, while others allow you to pick up equipment in Town. Reserve ahead during July and August, especially if you need gear for a large group.
Local options include Easy Riders, which rents chairs, umbrellas and coolers, and family-equipment companies such as Nantucket Baby and Petite Travelers.
Even if the larger equipment is supplied, pack your personal beach essentials:
A small soft-sided cooler is helpful if one isn’t available at the house. It’s easier to carry on a bike, shuttle or walk to the beach than a large hard-sided cooler.
Parents don’t need to carry every piece of nursery equipment across Nantucket Sound. Several island companies rent and deliver cribs, Pack ’n Plays, high chairs, strollers, baby gates, monitors, toys and beach equipment.
Petite Travelers, Nantucket Baby and NICER Vacations all offer children’s equipment rentals. Available inventory varies, so reserve early for peak summer weeks.
Before placing an order, confirm:
Our guide to visiting Nantucket with babies and toddlers covers family beaches, activities and places to stay.
Keep one small bag with the items you’ll want during the ferry ride and immediately after arrival:
The outdoor deck can be windy even on a warm day. Indoor cabins may feel cool, so layering is useful.
Larger suitcases, coolers and sports equipment may be placed on luggage carts rather than kept at your seat. Label every bag with your name and phone number. If you arrive before your rental’s check-in time, keep a swimsuit and sunscreen accessible so you can enjoy Town or the beach without opening every suitcase.
You can skip most formal clothing unless you’re attending a wedding or private event. You also won’t need a different outfit for every dinner.
Leave bulky beach equipment at home until you’ve confirmed that the rental doesn’t provide it. The same rule applies to cribs, high chairs, strollers and beach wagons.
Don’t bring a suitcase full of “just in case” clothing. A home with a washer and dryer makes it easy to rewear your favorites, and Nantucket shops can cover most forgotten basics. Bring prescriptions and highly specific baby or medical supplies with you rather than assuming they’ll be readily available on the island.
What should I pack for a summer trip to Nantucket?
Bring casual summer clothing, two or three swimsuits, comfortable shoes, a sweater, a light rain jacket, sunscreen and a hat. Check that your rental provides linens, towels and beach equipment before packing those items.
Do I need a jacket on Nantucket in the summer?
Yes. A light jacket, fleece or sweater is useful for ferry rides, outdoor dinners, boat trips and evenings near the water. Late-August and September visitors should also bring long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Should I bring beach chairs to Nantucket?
Probably not. Check with your rental agent or home owner before you go, but know that many vacation homes provide beach chairs and towels. If yours doesn’t, chairs, umbrellas, coolers and wagons can be rented on island.
Do Nantucket vacation rentals provide beach towels?
Most do, but the number and condition vary by property. Confirm whether beach towels are included and whether guests are expected to wash them before checkout.
What shoes should I wear in Nantucket Town?
Wear supportive sandals, flats, loafers or sneakers. Stilettos are nearly impossible to walk in on the cobblestones. Block heels and wedges are better choices for weddings and dressier events.
How formal are Nantucket restaurants?
Most are polished but relaxed. Sun dresses, linen pants, collared shirts, sandals and loafers work well for dinner. Jackets and ties are generally unnecessary unless an event or private club has its own dress code.
Can I rent baby equipment on Nantucket?
Yes. Local businesses rent cribs, Pack ’n Plays, high chairs, strollers, gates, toys and other children’s equipment. Many deliver to vacation homes. Reserve early for the busy summer weeks.
Can I bring luggage and a cooler on the Nantucket ferry?
Yes, although large bags, coolers and sports equipment may need to go on a luggage cart. Keep medications, valuables, children’s supplies and a warm layer in a smaller bag that stays with you.
What should I pack for Nantucket in September?
Bring summer clothes and swimsuits, plus sweaters, long pants, closed-toe shoes and a rain jacket. September can still deliver beautiful beach days, but mornings, evenings and ferry rides are noticeably cooler.
The easiest way to pack less is to choose a rental equipped for the vacation you’re planning. Ask the William Raveis Nantucket team about beach gear, laundry services, children’s equipment, walkability and other property details before you arrive.
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