This is one of the most popular beaches on Nantucket. It is very family friendly, though the surf can get heavy at times. You’ll occasionally find surfers here, and the waves are usually good for boogey boarding. Lifeguards are on duty here in-season. The wide beach is good for picnics and beach games. Kite flying west of Surfside Beach is acceptable: for safety reasons, do not fly kites east of Surfside toward the airport. Due to the number of people who frequent Surfside Beach during the day, it is inadvisable to fly kites during the peak beachgoing hours. Surfside Beach is good for shelling in the early morning, and it’s a popular beach in the evenings for surfcasting.
There are restrooms at this beach with diaper changing station, showers, a food concession, and outdoor seating. Getting to the shoreline from the parking lot requires a long walk through gently sloping, soft sand. Grilling on Surfside Beach is allowed with a charcoal or propane grill (be sure to properly dispose of ash and do not leave used charcoal on the beach). Small, enclosed cooking fires located away from any flammable material or dune vegetation are permitted. Make sure you completely extinguish all fires.
Off-season, when the beach is cold and quiet, Surfside is a good place to walk dogs.
Surfside Beach is located at the end of Surfside Road, a 3-mile ride on paved bike path. In-season, the NRTA Shuttle offers trips to Surfside Beach from their Washington Street station. There’s plenty of parking in a lot near the beach. Surfside Beach is open for beach driving with a permit during winter months; during the summer, beach driving with a permit is limited on this beach to night-time. NOTE: the sand on this beach is soft: recommended tire pressure is between 12 and 15 PSI and be sure to operate in the “4 HIGH” setting. If your vehicle is equipped with a “traction control” setting, turn it off to prevent interference with the 4WD system. This beach has a strict speed limit of 20mph, reduced to 5mph within 100 yards of a pedestrian. Watch for restrictions due to erosion, nesting birds, or resting seals. Stay out of the dune vegetation and stay within existing established vehicle tracks. If you stop to park along the beach, be sure to pull off the main track so you do not block traffic.
Fisherman’s Beach sits between Nobadeer and Surfside on Nantucket’s south shore, offering a quieter alternative while still featuring dunes, dune grass, and surf. Steep steps lead down to the beach, and parking is very limited, so biking or walking is recommended. There are no lifeguards, no bathrooms, and no food service. Surf can be rough, and visitors should watch for undertow. Nearby Stones Beach shares the same character and also features a Little Free Library for trading books.
Miacomet Pond is a freshwater pond located on Nantucket’s South Shore. It is noted as a good spot for young children. Parking is available at the pond, though it is limited and shared with Miacomet Beach. There is no lifeguard on duty and no facilities on-site. Visitors should be aware that snapping turtles may be encountered. Avoid entering the pond if an active algal bloom is reported.
Ladies Beach is located south of Bartlett Farm and within the Smooth Hummocks Coastal Preserve. The beach features body surfing and boogie boarding during low tide. There is a nearby parking area and a footpath through the dunes for beach access. The waves and current along the south shore make this beach ideal for strong swimmers and surfers
Cisco Beach is a South Shore beach on Nantucket, located at the end of Hummock Pond Road — a four-mile bike ride from town. Known for heavy surf and soft sand, it is very popular with surfers and young adults. A lifeguard is on duty in season, though there are no facilities on site. Rip currents can be strong, and visitors are cautioned to be aware of undertow and rip tides. The beach is occasionally foggy and has parking available. The lack of facilities may make it less attractive for families with children.
