Madaket Beach

This expansive beach has long been one of Nantucket’s most popular, thanks to its soft sand and picturesque dunes, though erosion over the past few years has made access tricky. When the ocean is calm, it’s a great spot for swimming, and when the waves pick up, surfers gather here. The waterfront is ideal for sunbathing and is generally less crowded than other island beaches. In the late afternoon, everyone heads to Madaket Beach for spectacular sunset vistas.

• The height of the dunes and the width of the beach change constantly according to the winds and tides. Over the past few years, erosion has made the beach difficult to access.

• The surf is often strong along this stretch of coast, so swim with extreme caution.

• There are no restrooms, food service, lifeguards, or other services on Madaket Beach.

• The beach is backed by the village of Madaket, where there is a restaurant and a small grocery shop for picnic supplies.

• The beach is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.

Madaket Beach lines a stretch of western coastline on Nantucket near the village of Madaket. There is a paved bike path to the beach or you can drive there and park in the small parking area. The local NRTA bus service also offers a shuttle service to the beach in summer.

Visiting the beach can be dangerous in the winter (December-February) when the sea conditions are particularly rough. Visit from spring through fall when there is little wind and the sea is calm enough to wade or swim. The best time of day to stop here is sunset when the western views are spectacular.

Madaket Beach is one of the most scenic on Nantucket, but its unpredictable surf can make swimming a challenge. For more gentle surf and easier swimming conditions, head to the island’s northern coastline to visit the family-friendly Jetties, with its easy accessibility, lifeguard, public restrooms, and restaurant. Dionis Beach is another popular swimming spot and has a sandbar for paddleboarding plus a lifeguard and restrooms, but no restaurant.