Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge spans 1,117 acres of barrier beach, dunes, salt marsh, and rare maritime forest on Nantucket — including The Cedars, the largest red cedar forest of its kind in New England. It shelters Nantucket Harbor from the Sound and is home to rare plants, deer, raptors, seals, and nesting shorebirds. Sixteen miles of oversand routes and trails wind through the refuge. A 4WD vehicle and OSV permit are required year-round, available at the Wauwinet Gatehouse. Entry is free for pedestrians. Dogs are prohibited April 1 through September 15.

Pocomo Beach is located mid-way between the harbor and the Head of the Harbor on Nantucket’s east shore. The warm water with almost no waves makes it a good spot for children and well suited for kayaking, paddleboarding, and learning to windsurf. Views of Coatue and Great Point Lighthouse. There are no lifeguards and no facilities on site. The area can be buggy. This beach is at the end of Pocomo Road: the final half-mile is a dirt road leading to a very small parking area.

Quidnet Beach and Sesachacha Pond are located off Quidnet Road on Nantucket’s east shore. The brackish pond is a good spot for families with no waves and no seaweed, and is open to kayaking and sailing with your own equipment. Quidnet Beach is a short walk over the dunes, with fine soft sand, good shelling, and views of Sankaty Light. No facilities, lifeguards, or food service. Parking is very limited and most street parking in the area is banned.

Siasconset Beach is a wide beach at the easternmost tip of Nantucket, popular with those staying in ‘Sconset. It is one of the few island beaches easily accessible to seniors, as there are no steep inclines. The beach is reachable by NRTA shuttle in season, by a 6-mile ride on the Milestone Road bike path, or via the more challenging Polpis Bike Path. Surf can be heavy with strong currents. Restaurants and restrooms are available a short walk away in the village of ‘Sconset.