ACK Outdoors

There's something about Nantucket that draws nature lovers back again and again. The wild and remote location allows you to escape from city life and freely experience the earth at its purest.

Tucked into one of the island's most secluded areas, you'll find The Wauwinet. Situated between the Nantucket Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this luxury inn offers an ideal blend of pristine and natural surroundings. And they offer day trips to the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. Looking for an old-world feel with modern-day amenities? Stay in any one of The Summer House accommodations in the village of Siasconset, which is miles removed from the bustle of downtown.

To enjoy the island with nothing between you and nature, hop on a bike! Breathe in the stunning landscapes, vivid colors, and up-close details, right along with the island's salty sea breeze. You can rent bikes from Easy Riders, Nantucket Bike Shop, or Young's Bicycle Shop, or book a tour with Nantucket Bike Tours. Your friendly guide is happy to stop as frequently as you want so that you can snap photos. After all, you want to remember every beautiful detail of Nantucket outdoors! The "sunset tour" ends with a gorgeous view of the golden sun setting over rippling water, but they'll gladly create a custom nature tour that will give you just the experience you're looking for.

After all that biking and exploring, you'll need some good Nantucket-style food! You don't need to sacrifice the sunshine, though; just grab some take-out and choose a picnic spot! Our top choices for great take-out are Cowboy's Meat Market & Deli, The Pit Stop, Sophie T's Pizza, Centre Street Bistro, and Something Natural.

If you're interested in seeing marine animals in the wild, climb aboard a Shearwater Excursions charter, and spend your morning or afternoon on the water. Shearwater also offers Seal Cruises and Whale Watching trips. Those who want a rare wilderness experience will enjoy visiting Tuckernuck or Muskeget with Cap'n Tobey's Native Water Taxi.  If you dare, sign up for a trip with http://www.nantucketsharkdivers.com/ for an up-close and personal look at sharks.
If you're interested in a guided tour of Coskata-Coatue with an expert naturalist, the Trustees of Reservations offers a daily natural history tour during which a leads participants on an oversand vehicle tour through the salt marshes. You can even climb up the Great Point Lighthouse if you want! Some other great opportunities for guided exploration are those offered by the Maria Mitchell Association. During peak season, nature walks are offered on most days of the week, and you might find yourself bird watching in a field with an ornithologist or scoping out the marine life on a local beach with a biologist. For those who prefer to explore independently, the UMass Field Station is the perfect spot to go. Its 107 acres make up a diverse landscape that offers several miles of walking paths alongside vegetated wetlands, ponds, and streams, all situated by the edge of the Nantucket Harbor.

Nothing beats having a cocktail on the beach! You can put together a wine and cheese picnic from The Cellar, just off Surfside Road. Or you can perch at the ocean view bar or on the patio at The Jetties. If you get hungry, their full menu is available 'til 9 p.m.

Nantucket, with its varied terrain and pristine environment, is the perfect place to commune with nature. It's not too often that you can visit all of these in one day: wooded paths surrounded by thick evergreens, vast grasslands and moors, swimmable lakes, fishable ponds, beaches, bays, and an ocean full of possibilities! Leave only footprints as you explore untouched sands; and enjoy every harmonious moment that you're wrapped in the wonder of Nantucket's great outdoors.