Working to Preserve Nantucket Sound

Public Beaches

Have a swim in Nantucket Sound and Nearby Waters

Click here for a directory of beach locations and water quality 

NANTUCKET BEACHES

NORTH SHORE

Brant Point Beach - Located at the Brant Point Lighthouse, this is a beach to enjoy, not necessarily for swimming. There is some sand but the currents are very strong with lots of boat traffic and no lifeguards or restrooms. This is a nice place to sit and watch the boats go by or the artists painting the lighthouse, but swimming is not recommended.

Children's Beach - Located on the harbor, this is the most wave-free beach you can find on Nantucket. There is a playground and bandstand nearby. The beach has lifeguards and restrooms.

Jetties Beach - Just a short walk from town, this beach has tennis courts, a skateboard park and a playground. Being on the north shore of the island, the waves are not large. It is a nice family beach. The annual Boston Pops concert is held on Jetties Beach. The beach has lifeguards and restrooms too.

Dionis Beach - Located on the western side of the north shore, Dionis beach is more remote than Jetties. This beach is loaded with seashells (and seaweed). Waves are generally small and the beach is very long. Many families like this beach.

SOUTH SHORE

Cisco Beach - Located on the western side of the south shore at the end of Hummock Pond Road, this beach is loved by surfers and known for its very soft sand. The surf is very strong, and there are limited numbers of lifeguards and restrooms.

Miacomet Beach - Located at the end of Miacomet Road or South Shore Drive, this beach has very heavy surf and very strong currents. It is a long beach with a lifeguard in one area. There are no restrooms.

Surfside Beach - Located at the end of Surfside Road, this is a very popular beach with the younger crowd. It is easily reached by Shuttle bus or bike. The surf can be heavy. Food, restrooms and lifeguards are available at this beach.

Tom Nevers Beach  - Located at the end of Tom Nevers Road, this beach has very coarse sand. The surf can be heavy, and there are no lifeguards or restrooms available.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach)
Off Moshup Trail. Ten minute walk from parking lot on cleared trail. Paid parking only in summer. The Aquinnah Cliffs are a National Landmark and are seriously endangered if you climb them or remove clay (both prohibited by law).

East Beach   EDGARTOWN (Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation)
On Chappaquiddick. Access from Dike Bridge and Wasque. Open to all, but subject to the regulations of The Trustees of Reservations. Fee charged for non-members.

Eastville Beach - OAK BLUFFS
At the bridge between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven.

Fuller Street Beach - EDGARTOWN
At the end of Fuller Street near Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown.

Joseph Sylvia State Beach  - OAK BLUFFS
Enjoy two miles of mild beach along Beach Road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Owned by the state and maintained by Dukes County. The Edgartown end of this beach is known as Bend-in-the-Road Beach. Edgartown has lifeguards in season.

Lighthouse Beach - EDGARTOWN
A harbor beach at Starbuck's Neck, off North Water Street near the center of Edgartown.

Menemsha Public Beach - MENEMSHA
Next to Menemsha Harbor. Gentle beach typical of the north shore.

Norton Point - EDGARTOWN
Three miles of barrier beach on the south shore in Edgartown at the end of Katama Road. There's surf on one side with protected salt pond on the other.

Oak Bluffs Town Beach
Adjacent to town wharf and Steamship Authority ferry dock.

Owen Park Beach - VINEYARD HAVEN
Harbor beach off Main Street in Vineyard Haven, near business district.

South Beach State Park (Katama) - EDGARTOWN
One mile between Herring Creek Road and Katama Road. State owned, managed by Edgartown. Rough surf, lifeguards in season.

Tisbury Town Beach (Owen Little Way Town Beach)
Owen Little Way, next to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club

CAPE COD BEACHES

BARNSTABLE

Craigville Beach on Craigville Beach Road, Centerville

Kalmus Beach, on Nantucket Sound at the end of Ocean Street, Hyannis

Sea Street Beach, (also known as Keyes Beach), Hyannis

Veterans Beach, Ocean Street, Hyannis. Swings and picnic tables

BOURNE

Monument Beach, Buzzards Bay, on Emmons Road off Shore Road

Scusset and Sagamore Beaches, off Sagamore Rotary via Scusset Beach Road

CHATHAM

Cockle Cove Beach, Cockle Cove Road, off Rte. 28. Excellent sheltered beach for small children

Harding's Beach, Barn Hill Rd., from Rte. 28

North Beach, southern end of Nauset Beach on Atlantic Ocean. Only accessible by boat.

Ridgevale Beach, Ridgevale Road, off Rte. 28

DENNIS

Glendon Road Beach, off Rte. 28

Haigis Beach, off Rte. 28

Inman Road Beach, off Rte. 28

Raycroft Parking Beach, off Rte. 28

Sea Street Beach, off Rte. 28

South Village Road Beach, off Rte. 28

West Dennis Beach, off Rte. 28. Lower County Road to Lighthouse Inn Rd.

FALMOUTH

Bristol Beach, Follow Grand Ave. to Menauhant Rd.

Falmouth Heights Beach, Grand Avenue

Menauhant Beach, off Rte. 28 and Central Avenue, E. Falmouth

Old Silver Beach, off Rte. 28A and Quaker Road, N. Falmouth

Stony Beach, Woods Hole, North of Woods Hole Rd.

Surf Drive Beach, on Surf Drive, off Main & Shore Sts. Accessible from Shining Sea Bike Path.

HARWICH

Bank Street, off Rte. 28

Jenkins Beach, Rte. 28

Red River Beach, off Depot Rd. or Uncle Venie's Rd., from Rte 28

Pleasant Bay, off Rte. 28. Calm water beach. Open to non-residents.

MASHPEE

South Cape Beach State Park, Great Oak Road

ORLEANS

Nauset Light Beach, located off Rte. 6 and Beach Road. Chairs and umbrellas for rent

Pleasant Bay Beach, Rte. 28

YARMOUTH

Bass River Beach, South Shore Drive

Eaglewood Beach, off Rte. 28

Sea Gull Beach, off South Sea Ave. from Rte. 28

Sea View Beach, South Shore Drive