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South Shore Beach Updates: 7-17-2024 The last available information from Town of Nantucket is that they recommend beachgoers wear footwear and do not bring pets on south shore beaches, out of caution.

Harmful Algal Blooms have been reported at the following locations:

Miacomet Pond
Seaschacha Pond.
Washing Pond
Clark Cove
Maxcy Pond
Hummock Pond

HABs are algal blooms with the potential to harm human health or aquatic ecosystems. If you notice a HAB occurring, report it at www.nantucket-ma.gov/HAB

Do not recreate in the water in these areas
Keep your pets on leashes to control and minimize their contact with potential HABs

Nantucket Beaches

Nantucket has some of the most beautiful and pristine shorelines in the world. For gentle surf, head to north shore beaches like Jetties, Steps Beach, Dionis, and Brant Point. For experienced swimmers who prefer heavier surf, visit Cisco, Surfside, Nobadeer, and Tom Nevers Beach. And if it’s adventure you seek, take your 4WD (with proper permits) and drive to Great Point and Coatue. Not all Nantucket beaches have lifeguards, and only a few have facilities.

If your family includes a senior member, Sconset Beach is among the easiest to access, though parking is limited. Jetties Beach is also easy to access, with a special walkway and more parking available. The Town of Nantucket has some beach wheelchairs available: call the Department of Public Works at 508-228-7244 to reserve a beach wheelchair.

Have fun, but please be mindful of beach etiquette: it’s a shared space! Use reef-safe sunscreen, pack out your trash & belongings, and be careful where you shake the sand out of your towels so it does not land on the beachgoers at the next towel. Fill in any holes, ponds, and sandcastle moats you’ve dug (no one wants to twist an ankle while strolling the shoreline). Do not feed the seagulls, and protect any food you brought to the beach from these clever snack stealers.

Help us preserve the Nantucket’s fragile environment and the beauty of our island. Respect private property, and use only designated entry points. In areas where dune reclamation wildlife protection is taking, please do not cross the rope or fence barriers protecting the dunes and nesting shorebirds.

Nantucket North Shore Beaches

The beaches on the north shore of the island tend to have a gentler surf suitable for children, with the notable exception of Brant Point which has a strong current. Many of these are easily accessible from town and all have great views of either Nantucket Sound or the harbor. Great Point is also visible from some of these locations.

Dionis Beach

1 Review

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. Read more...

Francis Street Beach

1 Review

This small beach is about a seven-minute walk from Main Street. Nice views of the harbor. Calm harbor waters for swimming; no lifeguard. Jungle gym, kayak rentals, restroom. Read more...

Washing Pond Beach

No Reviews

Sometimes called “Water Tower Beach.” Tide pools, few waves, nice beach for children. No stairs, but must trek up and down dune path to reach the beach. No lifeguard; no facilities. Beach ends at a retaining wall. Good shelling. Parking for about 25 vehicles, partial bike path accessibility (right off of Cliff Road). Read more...

40th Pole

1 Review

Great for families and young children, this north shore beach has warmer waters and calm surf. However, there are no lifeguards here or on adjoining beaches. This is also a popular destination for fishing. The water is shallow and clear and in the summer the beach is usually wide and flat, with soft white sand and lots of seashells along the shore. Greenhead flies and mosquitos can be bothersome on days with little wind. There Read more...

Steps Beach

1 Review

Between Dionis and Jetties beaches; access from Cliff Road. No lifeguard, no facilities, very little parking. Gentle surf; sandbar. Many steep steps must be descended to get to the beach and ascended when you leave. Gentle surf. Lovely views of Nantucket Sound and Great Point. Nights during August and September, bioluminscent creatures can be seen in the water. Read more...

Jetties Beach

1 Review

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 Read more...

Brant Point Beach

1 Review

Easy walk or bike ride from town. No lifeguard. Strong current and high boat traffic. Though technically a swimming beach – Brant Point is much more suited to sitting a watching the harbor traffic. Scenic beach with Brant Point Lighthouse, the second oldest lighthouse in the US. Here is where to go to wave goodbye to friends and family departing on the Steamship. Brant Point is one of the most photographed spots on the island Read more...

Children’s Beach

1 Review

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. Read more...

Nantucket South Shore Beaches

On the Atlantic side of the island; water temps tend to be cooler than on the North Shore Beaches. Most South Shore beaches on Nantucket can have heavy surf, strong currents, and shifting sands. Swimmers should be aware of rip tides and know how to handle themselves if caught in one.

Miacomet Pond

1 Review

Fresh water pond on Nantucket. Good for young children. Parking; no lifeguard, no facilities. Snapping turtles may be encountered. Read more...

Miacomet Beach

No Reviews

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. Read more...

Low Beach

No Reviews

This beach is between Sconset and Tom Nevers Pond, nearly 7 miles from Nantucket town, and is a wonderful beach if you like your privacy. Sweeping views, plenty of room. Surf can be heavy with strong currents. This beach is a bit of a hike from the village of ‘Sconset, so bring any food and beverages you’ll need. No lifeguards. Read more...

Stone’s Beach

1 Review

Stone’s Beaches has the dunes, dune grass, and the surf that beachgoers on the south side of Nantucket love. small parking lot, so bike or walk to the beach is ideal. Steep steps lead down to the beach. Stone’s Beach has a Little Free Library for trading favorites, with a small look out and bench just right of the steps leading to the beach. No lifeguards, no bathrooms, no food service. Surf can be rough, Read more...

Cisco Beach

No Reviews

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. Read more...

Nobadeer Beach

1 Review

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. Read more...

Surfside Beach

1 Review

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 Read more...

Ladies Beach

2 Reviews

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. Read more...

Fisherman’s Beach

1 Review

Nobadeer to the left and Surfside to the right, Fisherman’s and Stone Beaches are quieter than either but still have the dunes, dune grass, and the surf that beachgoers on the south side of Nantucket love. Little parking, so bike or walk to these beaches. Steep steps lead down to the beach. Stones Beach has a Little Free Library for trading favorites. No lifeguards, no bathrooms, no food service. Surf can be rough, and watch Read more...

Western Avenue Beach

1 Review

Across from what used to be the Youth Hostel, this beach is maintained by the Nantucket Land Bank. There is parking for just 3 vehicles, but it is a short walk from Surfside Beach. There are benches near the start of the beach entry path. Getting to the shoreline here involves a long set of stairs (gradual, not steep), and a hike along a path over dunes that is impractical for anyone with any mobility Read more...

Madaket Beach

1 Review

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 Read more...

Madequecham Beach

No Reviews

Parking, no restrooms, not bike path accessible, no lifeguards. The road to get there is a long, narrow, windy sand road. Do not attempt in a wide vehicle, and be prepared to move to the side for opposing traffic. Perfect place to get “Nantucket pinstripes.” Read more...

Tom Nevers Beach

No Reviews

Also called “Pebble Beach.” No lifeguard; no facilities. Surf at this beach can be heavy; very coarse sand. Sometimes foggy. This beach is rarely crowded. Excellent surfcasting. Access onto the beach can be difficult. Limited parking. Read more...

Nantucket East Shore Beaches

Included here are inner harbor beaches and beaches for the more adventurous. Siasconset is accessible by bike path or shuttle bus. There is limited parking. The outer beaches require beach permits to drive to them and 4-wheel drive. Some car rental companies can provide you with a permitted vehicle.

Pocomo Beach

No Reviews

Mid-way from the harbor to head of the harbor. Great for kayaking and to learn to windsurf. Warm water. Just west of the Head of the Harbor for plenty of parking. Good for children. No lifeguards, no facilities. Very limited parking. Can be buggy. Read more...

Coskata/Coatue

1 Review

Coatue is part of a larger wildlife refuge system that includes 104 acres at The Haulover, which is also owned by the Conservation Foundation, 916 acres of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, owned by the Trustees of Reservations, and the 42 acre Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge at Great Point, owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Access to the refuge is limited to narrow, soft sand roads that can only be traversed by four-wheel drive Read more...

Sconset Beach

No Reviews

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 Read more...

Codfish Park

1 Review

Located in historic Codfish Park in ‘Sconset Village, this playground is very close to ‘Sconset Beach. The original playground was located on the beach, but erosion made it necessary to move the play structures inland. The property needed to do this was donated by the Lockhart family, and using contributions from numerous ‘Sconset families, the entire park was renovated. There is no designated parking area, but the playground is easily accessed on foot and there Read more...

Quidnet Beach & Sesachacha Pond

No Reviews

Located off of Quidnet Road. Pond is brackish. Good spot for families; no waves, no seaweed. No facilities, no lifeguards, no food service. Kayaking and sailing but you must bring your own equipment. Quidnet Beach is a short walk over the dunes. Fine, soft sand. Good shelling. Good view of Sankaty Light. Very little parking; most street parking is banned. Read more...

Nantucket Beach Conditions

Beach Conditions are made available during the summer season, they are indicated by a flag icon on each beach that has available conditions. Absence of flags does not assure safe waters.

Beaches With Seasonal Lifeguards

Children’s Beach

Cisco Beach

Dionis Beach

Jetties Beach

Ladies Beach

Madaket Beach

Miacomet Beach

Nobadeer Beach

Sconset Beach

Surfside Beach

Flag Legend

Green Flag Conditions:

Have fun and be safe!

Calm Conditions
Use caution

Yellow Flag Conditions:

Please use caution at all times.

Surf conditions up to 3 ft.
Wind and surf conditions may also change with little or no warning.
Currents may exist under the ocean surface

Red Flag Conditions:

For Your Safety the Beach is Closed

Rough and dangerous ocean conditions
Weather and surf conditions may change suddenly
Surf conditions running 3 ft. and larger
Strong currents
White caps due to high wind conditions

Double Red Flag Conditions:

For Your Safety the Beach is Closed

NO Swimming in this area.

Purple Flag Conditions:

Potentially dangerous marine life

Portuguese man-o-war (Jellyfish) may exist near shoreline.
Sharks may exist near shoreline.
Dangerous fish may exist near shoreline.

Nantucket Beach Safety

For your information we are providing general safety guidelines for enjoying our beaches.

Dangerous Surf Conditions

Rip Currents

Rip Currents are the major cause of surf accidents. They are characterized by a strong flow of water rushing back out to sea. Rip currents occur when large amounts of water accumulate near shore due to natural wave action. Since water seeks its own level, the broken waves take the path of least resistance. This powerful flow of water can pull even strong swimmers into deep water. Generally, the size and strength of the rip currents are in proportion to the size and frequency of the wave action – the larger the waves, the stronger the rip currents. Depending on lateral currents, rip currents can be fixed at one location or can occur at more than one point along the beach. Large rip currents can be recognized by the sandy discoloration of the water.

Lateral/Longshore Currents

Flow parallel to the beach. They range in speed from fast-flowing to subtle movement. These currents pose little threat to the average swimmer, but weaker swimmers can be pulled into rip currents and heavy surf simply by the force of lateral currents

Undertow

Undertow usually occurs with high tides on beaches that rise sharply away from the water’s edge. Backwash occurs when the water remaining on the beach returns forcefully to the surf beneath later incoming waves. It is particularly dangerous for small children playing near the water’s edge. Even in the short distance between breaking waves and deep water, backwash is powerful enough to knock people off their feet.

Shore Break

Shore Break can occur at high tide when heavy surf conditions cause large waves to break on the beach with little or no water under them. Shore break can be particularly dangerous to a swimmer who is caught in such a wave because the wave can slam the swimmer on the beach, causing injury. Shore break is the most frequent cause of serious back, neck and shoulder injuries at the beach. Avoid body surfing during shore break conditions.

Nantucket Swimming Safety Advice

Beach Access Location Number and Signs

When you arrive at the beach – note your Beach Access Location Number which will be posted at the beach entrance. In case of emergency, when calling for assistance, give the operator this Beach Access Location Number so emergency vehicles can find you quickly.

High Surf

Can cause serous injuries or drowning

Sudden Drop Off

Bottom drops off abruptly, You Could drown.

Dangerous Shorebreak

Waves break in shallow water, serious injuries could occur, even in small surf

Strong Current

You could be swept away from shore and could drown

Jellyfish

Stings are painful, stay out of the water

If in doubt, Don’t go out.

General Info

Never swim alone – use the buddy system.
Don’t overestimate your swimming ability, especially early in the summer when the water is cold. Swimming ability is severely decreased in cold water.
Judge your ability to participate in beach activities based on your swimming skills without the assistance of rafts and other flotation devices.
Never dive into shallow water, or water of unknown depth.
If you are confronted by a large wave and there is not enough time to get away from it, try to dive underneath the wave. Keep your body as low as possible until the wave passes over you. Timing is important, dive into the base of the wave just before it breaks. Do not dive if the water is too shallow – instead crouch and keep a low body profile.
If caught in rip currents, relax and swim toward the shore at a 45-degree angle until you are free of the current. If the rip currents are strong, swim parallel with the shoreline in the same direction as the littoral current and then swim diagonally toward the shore. If you are not able to swim out of the currents, call or wave for help.
When body surfing, do not ride waves in a straight line toward shore. Instead, surf at an angle to the waves. Stay away from the white water in the wave center to avoid going “over the falls.”
Never swim while intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgement, unnecessary risks are taken and a swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident.

Rules & Regulations

Take direction from lifeguards at all times
Floatation devices allowed at lifeguard’s discretion
No un-leashed dogs are allowed
No fishing
No kite flying
No vehicles allowed
No open fires
No alcohol
No beach holes deeper than the patrons waist. Please fill in your hole before you leave.

Whistle Alerts

Long Whistle
Emergency, Exit the water
Short Whistles
Lifeguard needs your attention, Follow directions.

Beach Driving

Nantucket’s beaches are a treasure for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. Beach vehicle drivers must help ensure that Nantucket’s fragile ecosystem remains healthy and strong by following the Town’s beach access and driving rules and regulations. All beach vehicles must have an annual sticker issued by the Town of Nantucket. For more information on how to obtain a beach sticker and on the rules and regulations of beach vehicle driving, please click here.

Nantucket Beaches

Nantucket North Shore Beaches

Nantucket South Shore Beaches

Nantucket East Shore Beaches

Nantucket Beach Conditions

Beaches With Seasonal Lifeguards

Children’s Beach

Cisco Beach

Dionis Beach

Jetties Beach

Ladies Beach

Madaket Beach

Miacomet Beach

Nobadeer Beach

Sconset Beach

Surfside Beach

Flag Legend

Green Flag Conditions:

Have fun and be safe!

Yellow Flag Conditions:

Please use caution at all times.

Red Flag Conditions:

For Your Safety the Beach is Closed

Double Red Flag Conditions:

For Your Safety the Beach is Closed

Purple Flag Conditions:

Potentially dangerous marine life

Nantucket Beach Safety

Dangerous Surf Conditions

Rip Currents

Lateral/Longshore Currents

Undertow

Shore Break

Nantucket Swimming Safety Advice

Beach Access Location Number and Signs

High Surf

Sudden Drop Off

Dangerous Shorebreak

Strong Current

Jellyfish

If in doubt, Don’t go out.

General Info

Rules & Regulations

Whistle Alerts

Information

Account