Discover Nantucket Island in Fall
at its most peaceful, scenic, and authentic.
Explore Fall on Nantucket
A Season Like No Other
If you’ve only experienced Nantucket in the heat of summer, you’re missing the island at its most authentic and enchanting. Fall on Nantucket — spanning September, October, and November — is when the island truly belongs to those who love it most. The summer crowds thin, most shops and restaurants are open through mid-October, and the island settles into a golden, unhurried rhythm that locals have long called “their season.”
Autumn brings a genuine sense of discovery. Visitors can enjoy uncrowded beaches and shorter lines at the coffeeshops. Accommodations are more available and many inns ease up on the 3-night minimum. Many shops, galleries, and beloved eateries remain open well into the season. Whether you’re a cyclist, a runner, a history lover, a foodie, or a family looking for something genuinely memorable, Nantucket’s fall calendar delivers — always with charm.
Fall on Nantucket offers a wide range of outdoor adventures, seasonal traditions, and community events.
Island Nature Walks and Hiking
Family Scalloping Season
Nantucket’s Old-Fashioned Halloween
Nantucket
Events
In One Place
Discover what’s happening
on island this week
Fall travel to Nantucket is peaceful and rewarding, but planning ahead is important. Ferry schedules and commercial flights begin to taper after mid October, so booking transportation early helps ensure a smooth island arrival.
Visitors typically reach Nantucket by ferry from Cape Cod or by flying directly into Nantucket Memorial Airport.
By Boat
Ferries from Cape Cod provide the most common way to reach Nantucket. High speed passenger ferries take about one hour, while traditional car ferries take about two hours. Sailings run daily through the fall, though schedules begin to taper after mid October.
By Air
Flights to Nantucket continue through the fall, though schedules begin to taper after mid October. Direct service operates from several Northeast cities early in the season, with many travelers connecting through Boston as winter approaches.
Travel Tips for Fall
- Ferry and flight schedules become more limited after mid October, so booking transportation in advance is recommended
- Allow extra travel time during fall events
High 60s°F in September to low 50s°F by November, with ocean temperatures gradually cooling from the mid 60s°F to the low 50s°F.
Overall Fall Weather Range: High 30s°F to upper 60s°F.
September
Still feels like summer — what locals often call “our summer.” Average daytime highs hover around 67–68°F (19–20°C) with mild evenings around 64°F (17–18°C). September is Nantucket’s driest fall month, offering sunny skies, light breezes, and excellent conditions for biking, hiking, and beach walks.
Ocean temperatures average 65–68°F (18–20°C), making September one of the best swimming months of the year, with warm water and far fewer crowds.
October
Classic New England autumn arrives in October with average highs around 60–61°F (16°C) and cooler evenings in the mid-50s°F. The island’s landscapes shift to vibrant reds, oranges, and golden tones, making this one of the most scenic months to visit.
Ocean temperatures average 59–60°F (15°C). While swimming becomes less common, October brings some of the best surf conditions of the season as Atlantic storms produce clean waves.
November
November brings cooler temperatures and a quieter island atmosphere. Average highs reach 52–53°F (11–12°C) with lows in the upper 40s°F (8–9°C). Nantucket’s moors, beaches, and cranberry bogs take on a windswept coastal beauty under dramatic Atlantic skies.
Ocean temperatures drop to 50–55°F (10–13°C). While brisk, the water still draws hardy swimmers and those preparing for the Thanksgiving Cold Turkey Plunge at Children’s Beach.