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Tag: Flag

Ladies Beach

Located south of Bartlett Farm and within the Smooth Hummocks Coastal Preserve, this beach features excellent body surfing and boogie boarding during low tide. There is a nearby parking area and footpath through the dunes for beach access. The waves and current along the south shore make this beach ideal for strong swimmers and surfers.

Ladies Beach

Located south of Bartlett Farm and within the Smooth Hummocks Coastal Preserve, this beach features excellent body surfing and boogie boarding during low tide. There is a nearby parking area and footpath through the dunes for beach access. The waves and current along the south shore make this beach ideal for strong swimmers and surfers.

Children's Beach

Harbor Beach, an easy walk from town down So. Beach Street and off Harbor View Way. Flotation devices are not permitted within the guarded area. Ideal for small children; park, playground, and bandstand; lifeguard, restrooms, showers, food service, picnic tables. Food, playground and rest room are all accessible. Activities sponsored by Park & Recreation Commission are often held at this beach during the summer months. Accessible via NRTA – Jetties Route.

Children's Beach

Harbor Beach, an easy walk from town down So. Beach Street and off Harbor View Way. Flotation devices are not permitted within the guarded area. Ideal for small children; park, playground, and bandstand; lifeguard, restrooms, showers, food service, picnic tables. Food, playground and rest room are all accessible. Activities sponsored by Park & Recreation Commission are often held at this beach during the summer months. Accessible via NRTA – Jetties Route.

Jetties Beach

This beach is an easy bike ride from town, with bike racks.  There’s a good amount of parking in 2 lots or take the NRTA shuttle bus in-season. Jetties Beach is ideal for families with young kids: the surf is very calm and the water warm (though beach shoes are a good idea). There are lifeguards in-season. Large sandbars are accessible at low tide. There are public bathrooms (handicap accessible), changing rooms, showers, and a seasonal restaurant. The beach is wide and flat, and a good place to walk to find shells and sea glass. A plastic mat runs down the center of the beach to make it easier for those with limited mobility to access the beach, though it does not go all the way to the water. Beach accessible wheelchairs are available from the Town (call to reserve one: 508-228-7244, Mon.-Fri. from 7am-3pm). Windsurfing, sailboat, and kayak lessons and rentals available. This beach is the venue for the annual Boston Pops concert in August and the annual Sand Castle and Sculpture Contest is held on the harbor side of the beach. Shorebirds nest on Jetties Beach, so avoid any areas marked restricted that delineate shorebird habitats. Grilling on Jetties 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 allowed without a permit. Make sure you completely extinguish all fires. Jetties is open for beach driving during the off-season ONLY with a permit.  Access from the Jetties Beach parking lot. There is a second access located down a small trackway off Hulbert Avenue, across from Charles Street. Although the beach access strip is short, reduce tire pressure to between 12 PSI and 15 PSI and engage the “4 HIGH” setting in order to avoid getting stuck. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles should attempt to drive on the soft sand. A beach driving permit can be obtained from the Town of Nantucket Police and is required in order to drive onto Jetties Beach. There is a strict speed limit of 20mph when driving on the beach, reduced to 5mph within 100 yards of a pedestrian. Drive in established vehicle tracks: driving through dune vegetation or creating new trails is prohibited. Drivers may stop and park anywhere along the beach, but pull off the main track to not block traffic.

Jetties Beach

This beach is an easy bike ride from town, with bike racks.  There’s a good amount of parking in 2 lots or take the NRTA shuttle bus in-season. Jetties Beach is ideal for families with young kids: the surf is very calm and the water warm (though beach shoes are a good idea). There are lifeguards in-season. Large sandbars are accessible at low tide. There are public bathrooms (handicap accessible), changing rooms, showers, and a seasonal restaurant. The beach is wide and flat, and a good place to walk to find shells and sea glass. A plastic mat runs down the center of the beach to make it easier for those with limited mobility to access the beach, though it does not go all the way to the water. Beach accessible wheelchairs are available from the Town (call to reserve one: 508-228-7244, Mon.-Fri. from 7am-3pm). Windsurfing, sailboat, and kayak lessons and rentals available. This beach is the venue for the annual Boston Pops concert in August and the annual Sand Castle and Sculpture Contest is held on the harbor side of the beach. Shorebirds nest on Jetties Beach, so avoid any areas marked restricted that delineate shorebird habitats. Grilling on Jetties 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 allowed without a permit. Make sure you completely extinguish all fires. Jetties is open for beach driving during the off-season ONLY with a permit.  Access from the Jetties Beach parking lot. There is a second access located down a small trackway off Hulbert Avenue, across from Charles Street. Although the beach access strip is short, reduce tire pressure to between 12 PSI and 15 PSI and engage the “4 HIGH” setting in order to avoid getting stuck. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles should attempt to drive on the soft sand. A beach driving permit can be obtained from the Town of Nantucket Police and is required in order to drive onto Jetties Beach. There is a strict speed limit of 20mph when driving on the beach, reduced to 5mph within 100 yards of a pedestrian. Drive in established vehicle tracks: driving through dune vegetation or creating new trails is prohibited. Drivers may stop and park anywhere along the beach, but pull off the main track to not block traffic.

Dionis Beach

Sheltered by dunes, this beach along Nantucket Sound has calm waters for swimming, hard-pack sand, and lots of shells. It’s safe for children, with lifeguards in-season. There is a shallow sandbar, and many people paddleboard here. Dunes and beautiful harbor views of sailboats and ferries. Restrooms, changing room, and faucet for rinsing off the sand are available. There are vending machines in the parking area, but no concessions, so bring your own food and beverages. Accessing the beach requires a laborious walk along a narrow path over a soft-sand dune trail. A metal ramp at the end of the trail provides access down the bank onto the beach during the summertime. Grilling on Dionis 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 allowed without a permit. There are no trash receptacles on the beach so please bring any trash you create with you when you leave. This beach is three miles from town by bike on the north side of Eel Point Rd; off Madaket Road, look for the white painted boulder on the right marked “Dionis.”  There is parking, but it tends to fill quickly in July and August and on holiday weekends. Beachgoers can take NRTA shuttle bus to Eel Point Road stop and walk. Lifeguard (in season). Sections of the beach may be closed during shorebird nesting season. Oversand driving is not permitted at Dionis.

Dionis Beach

Sheltered by dunes, this beach along Nantucket Sound has calm waters for swimming, hard-pack sand, and lots of shells. It’s safe for children, with lifeguards in-season. There is a shallow sandbar, and many people paddleboard here. Dunes and beautiful harbor views of sailboats and ferries. Restrooms, changing room, and faucet for rinsing off the sand are available. There are vending machines in the parking area, but no concessions, so bring your own food and beverages. Accessing the beach requires a laborious walk along a narrow path over a soft-sand dune trail. A metal ramp at the end of the trail provides access down the bank onto the beach during the summertime. Grilling on Dionis 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 allowed without a permit. There are no trash receptacles on the beach so please bring any trash you create with you when you leave. This beach is three miles from town by bike on the north side of Eel Point Rd; off Madaket Road, look for the white painted boulder on the right marked “Dionis.”  There is parking, but it tends to fill quickly in July and August and on holiday weekends. Beachgoers can take NRTA shuttle bus to Eel Point Road stop and walk. Lifeguard (in season). Sections of the beach may be closed during shorebird nesting season. Oversand driving is not permitted at Dionis.

Surfside Beach

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.

Surfside Beach

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.

Cisco Beach

Four-mile bike ride to end of Hummock Pond Road. Heavy surf; lifeguard (in season). No facilities. Occasionally foggy. Parking. Rip currents can be strong. Soft sand. This beach is very popular with surfers and young adults. Lack of facilities might make it less attractive to families with children, but be careful of undertow and rip tides.

Cisco Beach

Four-mile bike ride to end of Hummock Pond Road. Heavy surf; lifeguard (in season). No facilities. Occasionally foggy. Parking. Rip currents can be strong. Soft sand. This beach is very popular with surfers and young adults. Lack of facilities might make it less attractive to families with children, but be careful of undertow and rip tides.

Nobadeer Beach

Lifeguard, occasional food service by food truck. This beach is popular with youth. Located near the airport. Parking is limited. This beach can be difficult to access due to steep incline. Plenty of surf. The wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, surfing, and surfcasting.

Nobadeer Beach

Lifeguard, occasional food service by food truck. This beach is popular with youth. Located near the airport. Parking is limited. This beach can be difficult to access due to steep incline. Plenty of surf. The wide beach is good for picnics, beach games, surfing, and surfcasting.

Madaket Beach

As of June 29, 2022, this beach is unguarded and caution is urged.  Severe erosion has made access extremely difficult. At the far western end of the island, Madaket is a popular beach, especially for watching incredible sunsets. Sand is soft. The surf can be heavy, so check beach conditions. There are some lifeguards, but not the full length of the beach. No restrooms, and no food service, so bring a picnic . There is some parking. Madaket Beach is accessible by bike via a 5.5 mile paved bike path, or take the NRTA shuttle bus (seasonal).

Madaket Beach

As of June 29, 2022, this beach is unguarded and caution is urged.  Severe erosion has made access extremely difficult. At the far western end of the island, Madaket is a popular beach, especially for watching incredible sunsets. Sand is soft. The surf can be heavy, so check beach conditions. There are some lifeguards, but not the full length of the beach. No restrooms, and no food service, so bring a picnic . There is some parking. Madaket Beach is accessible by bike via a 5.5 mile paved bike path, or take the NRTA shuttle bus (seasonal).

Miacomet Beach

At the end of Miacomet Road. Surf and rip currents can be dangerous but there are some lifeguards. Parking. No facilities or food service. Families with very young children may prefer Miacomet Pond.

Miacomet Beach

At the end of Miacomet Road. Surf and rip currents can be dangerous but there are some lifeguards. Parking. No facilities or food service. Families with very young children may prefer Miacomet Pond.

Sconset Beach

Siasconset Beach is wide beach located at the eastern most tip of the island and very popular for those staying in ‘Sconset. It is accessible by NRTA shuttle in season or a 6-mile ride from town on the Milestone Road bike path or take Polpis Bike path for a somewhat more challenging ride. It is one of the few island beaches that can be easily accessed by seniors (no steep inclines). Surf can be heavy with strong currents. Restaurants and restrooms are available a short walk in the village of ‘Sconset.

Sconset Beach

Siasconset Beach is wide beach located at the eastern most tip of the island and very popular for those staying in ‘Sconset. It is accessible by NRTA shuttle in season or a 6-mile ride from town on the Milestone Road bike path or take Polpis Bike path for a somewhat more challenging ride. It is one of the few island beaches that can be easily accessed by seniors (no steep inclines). Surf can be heavy with strong currents. Restaurants and restrooms are available a short walk in the village of ‘Sconset.