Dunes
Great Point Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSeal viewing
(31)
FishingSeclusionNatureoff-road+1
UncrowdedDog-friendly
1 / 5
Heads up
- Piping plover nesting closure active this month — sections of the beach may be roped off.
- High rip-current risk. Swim near a lifeguard and ask about conditions.
- The Madaket Drag rip current is strong and well-known locally; swim with extreme caution.
Ocean / SurfFree & OpenBest in July
Madaket Beach
Nantucket, Massachusetts · Atlantic Ocean
4.8(178 reviews)
Nantucket's westernmost beach — and the island's best sunset
The westernmost point on Nantucket, famous for having the best sunset on the island. Strong currents and waves — more for watching than swimming. The 6-mile bike ride out is half the adventure.
Madaket is Nantucket's western edge — the last beach on the island before the open Atlantic stretches uninterrupted to Long Island. People come for one thing above all: the sunset. The six-mile bike ride out from town along the Madaket Path is a classic Nantucket afternoon, ending at the little village snack bar at Millie's for fish tacos before the show. The waves are strong, the rip current is real (it has a local nickname — the Madaket Drag), and there are no lifeguards most of the year. It's a beach for sunset, for fishing, for long west-facing walks, more than for casual swimming. Arrive an hour before sunset to find a parking spot; bring layers, the breeze picks up fast as the sun goes down.
Photo spot
Sunset over the open Atlantic from the west-facing dunes
Arrive
Late afternoon for the island's best sunsetCrowds
ModerateDogs
WelcomeLifeguards
On dutySunsets
Great spotBest for
SunsetsSurfingSeclusionFishing
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- West-facing (sunset)
- Length
- ~1 mi
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- Fine tan sand with cobble at the wrack line
- Shade
- none
Wildlife
Birds you may see: piping plover, least tern, American oystercatcher, sanderling, common tern
Occasional whales
Things to know
- Occasional seal haul-outs nearby — a shark factor on outer-Cape waters.
- Jellyfish more likely in August.
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
- Lot size
- Small
- Enforcement
- Free; fills before sunset on summer evenings.
Small lot at end of Madaket Road
Getting there
- Ferry
- 60 min from Hyannis · Steamship Authority (fast ferry)
- Cell signal
- spotty
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Not available
- Mobi Mat
- No
- Path from parking
- short walk
Dogs
Allowed on leash before 9am and after 5pm in summer.
Pairs well with
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
UmbrellasTents / canopies · small onlyAlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Surf · beach break · advancedFishing · surfcasting
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· July – Labor Day Shark patrol active Significant plover closures
Photo by Aaron Daniels via Google Places
Today
Sunrise5:08 AM
Sunset8:17 PM
Conditions
WavesSurf / Strong
Water62–68°F (July–Aug)
TidesModerate
SharksElevated
Jellyfishlow
Length~1 mi
Facilities
LifeguardsRestroomsBike rack
July – Labor Day, 10am–5pm (summer only)
Millie's restaurant adjacent
Madaket Beach — good to know
How much does parking cost at Madaket Beach?
Parking at Madaket Beach is free and open to the public, but lots fill early on summer weekends — arrive before about 10am for the best chance of a spot.
Are dogs allowed at Madaket Beach?
Dogs are allowed at Madaket Beach — Allowed on leash before 9am and after 5pm in summer.
Does Madaket Beach have lifeguards?
Yes — Madaket Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (July – Labor Day).
Are there restrooms at Madaket Beach?
Madaket Beach has public restrooms available in season.
What is the water like at Madaket Beach?
Madaket Beach is an open-ocean surf beach on Atlantic Ocean. Expect bigger surf and waves — better for bodyboarding and confident swimmers. Average summer water temperature is around 62–68°F (July–Aug).
What is Madaket Beach best for?
Madaket Beach is especially good for sunsets, surfing, seclusion and fishing.
When is the best time to visit Madaket Beach?
Late afternoon for the island's best sunset.
