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.
Miacomet Beach is located at the end of Miacomet Road on Nantucket’s south shore. Paved road gives way to narrow sand roads, and parking is limited. Beach driving is prohibited. Surf and rip currents can be dangerous: lifeguards are on duty in-season. This beach is another good spot to watch the sun set. There are no restrooms and no food service at this beach. Families with young children may prefer nearby Miacomet Pond.
Madequecham Beach sits on Nantucket’s southeastern shore, accessed via Madequecham Valley Road — a long, narrow, winding dirt road leading to a parking area and path to the beach. Wide vehicles should not attempt it, and drivers should be prepared to pull aside for opposing traffic. The waves and current make this beach ideal for strong swimmers and surfers. There are no restrooms, no lifeguards, and no bike path access.
Nobadeer Beach is near Nantucket’s airport and is popular with youth, offering surfing, surfcasting, and views of planes landing and taking off. Surfboard and wetsuit rentals and surf lessons are available during the summer months. A lifeguard is on duty in-season. Beach access involves a steep incline, but no stairs. Hazards include rip currents, high surf, and sudden drop-offs. There is a small parking lot; beach driving requires a 4WD vehicle and a permit.
Tom Nevers Beach, also known as “Pebble Beach,” is a rarely crowded south shore beach on Nantucket with very coarse sand and heavy surf. Beach access can be difficult, and the area is sometimes foggy. It is an excellent spot for surfcasting. There is no lifeguard on duty and no facilities on site. Parking is limited.
