 |
 |
Tours and ExcursionsNantucket's experienced tour guides show off their island with the love and pride of a gardener showing off a bed of roses. You'll get a history lesson, personal insights, and priceless anecdotes. You'll also witness the easy camaraderie of islanders, who are likely to roll down the car window and give the traffic cop--probably a friend--a hard time. Most tours will meet you at a central location or pick you up. The cost is generally about $10 per person. And you may have guessed already that when you're visiting a spot in the middle of the ocean local tours aren't limited to land. You can choose from among sunset cruises, children's cruises, and--not surprisingly, since Nantucket was once the center of America's whaling industry--cruises that search for whales--just for the joy of sighting them of course.
|
|
|
Ara's Tours In its 14th season, Ara's offers a 90-minute tour that covers 30 miles of this unique and beautiful island. Listen to guided commentary in an air-conditioned van. See historic Main Street, the rose-covered cottages of Sconset and the lighthouses of Nantucket. Tours leave at 10 AM, noon and 2 PM and cost $12 per person. You can be picked up at your in-town accommodations, boat, or a convenient location in-town. Advanced bookings for tours are highly recommended. Tours are available on a daily basis from mid-April through mid-November. Naturalist and photographer Ara Charder provides the commentary and always stops for photos. The van tour can accommodate 14 people, and private tours are also available. Ara's also offers a three-hour Around the Horn tour in which you'll travel by Suburban to visit the island's three lighthouses, Brant Point Light, Sankaty Head Light, and Great Point Light. Tours, limited to eight people, leave at 4 PM and cost $300 or $40 per person. You'll travel in a Suburban to the islands' three ligthouse: Brant Point Ligtht, Sankaty Head Light and Great Point Light. Barrett's Tours Barrett's provides narrated bus tours of Nantucket daily April through November and also offers shuttle-bus service to Jetties, Surfside, and Madaket beaches and to Siasconset. A family-owned and -operated business for 75 years, Barrett's also offers tours and transportation for special groups, such as wedding parties, with group rates for 20 or more people. Tours depart at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:45 PM from the Federal Street offices; the cost is $12 for 12 years old and older and $6 for children under 12. Betty's Tour and Taxi Service For a tour of the island's oldest house, old mill, beaches, whaling mansions, rose-covered cottages of Sconset village, cranberry bogs, and lighthouses, ride with Betty or Ed--they seems to know every back road on the island. Scheduled tours are at 9:30 and 11:30 AM and 2 and 4 PM and by appointment in the off-season. Price is $13 for a 90-minute tour. Great Point Natural History Tours Run by the nonprofit group The Trustees of the Reservations, these three-hour, naturalist-led tours offer a rare opportunity to explore the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. Get close-up looks at migrant and nesting shorebirds, learn about wildflowers, see deer tracks crossing coastal heathlands, and visit historic Great Point Lighthouse--you even get to climb to the top! Tours meet at the gate house just before the Wauwinet Inn parking lot, and are limited to six people. Only two trips are scheduled a day, and reservations are required. Tours are offered from June to October. Adults pay $30 and young people 15 and under pay $15. Grimes Tours A descendant of one of the original settlers of Nantucket, Robert Pitman Grimes provides a personal tour in his roomy Suburban with commentary gleaned from research and personal experiences. Tours start at 10 AM, 1 and 3 PM and usually take about one and three-quarters hours. You can schedule a private tour for as many as eight people by appointment. The cost is $13. Gail's Tours Inc. A sixth-generation native, Gail Nickerson Johnson has a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humor, which she shares generously on her tours. Her two air-conditioned vans can accommodate a total of 13 people. She offers sightseeing and private tours, including sunset, picnic, or beach excursions. Regular tours depart at 10 AM and 1 and 3 PM and the price is $13.
|
|
|
Endeavor Since 1982, this Friendship sloop, owned and operated by Jim and Sue Genthner, has been offering three daily sails around Nantucket Sound plus a sunset cruise. The longest operating sailing charter on the island, Capt. Jim built the Endeavor, and if you wish, he will share his knowledge of traditional boat building with you. The sail cruises leave at 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM and sunset. In May and June, and September and October the 90-minute sail costs $22.50 per person regardless of age. In July and August the fare jumps to $25 per person. The sunset cruises are $30 and $35 respectfully. For the children, the Endeavor offers a one-hour special sail each day at 11:30 AM for $15 per person. Or ask about the Songs and Stories of the Sea trip, which is fun for children ages 4 to 8, and the Fiddlin' on the Sea trip, which provides whaling-era instrumental music for families with older children. Both of the latter sails are also one-hour sails and cost $15 per person. Nantucket Whalewatch In July and August the whale-watch vessel Yankee Spirit departs on Tuesdays only from Straight Wharf for an all-day trip (7 hours) to whale feeding grounds at the Great South Channel. Naturalists with the Center for Oceanic Research and Education of Gloucester provide the narration. The cost is $85 for adults and $45 for children younger than 12. Full galley service is available on the boat. Nantucket Harbor Cruises Nantucket Harbor Cruises offers several trips daily in season aboard the Anna W II, starting with a 90-minute morning marine cruise in which you pull lobster traps and learn about what's in the boat's touch tank. The cost is $25 per person regardless of age, but you must be at least 4 years old to come aboard. Captain Bruce Cowan is a naturalist and very knowledgeable about marine life as well as boats. We especially enjoy the evening sunset cruise, which is both romantic and relaxing. Bring your own beverages and sit at the boat's comfortable tables as you watch the boats come in through the fading light. The sunset cruise, also a 90-minute cruise, costs $30 per person. Nantucket Harbor Cruises also offers an afternoon Ice Cream Cruise at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM for $15. Here, children get complimentary ice cream and if they want, can steer the Anna W II.
|
|
|
BeachesWhen you're on a relatively small island, it's hard to get away from the beach. Aw, what a pity. Whether you go to an ocean beach with crashing surf or a harbor beach with gently lapping waves, don't miss the opportunity to savor the Nantucket seaside. Take time to learn the existing swimming conditions before you head for the beach. Currents can be very strong along the entire south side of Nantucket, including Cisco, Madaket, and Surfside beaches. The Parks and Recreation Department, (508) 228-7213, recommends that people swim only at beaches with lifeguards; beaches are closed when conditions warrant it. Free parking is available at all beaches, and you can usually find a space even in the busy summer months. All of Nantucket's beaches are lovely; here are some of our favorites.
|
|
|
Brant Point This beach right by the lighthouse has no lifeguards or facilities, but the view of the harbor is always entrancing. An easy walk from town, it's a great place to just sit and watch the boats rounding the point. Children's Beach Families naturally gravitate toward this pleasant beach, on the harbor, and an easy walk from town, where a lifeguard is on duty, restroom facilities are available, and there is a snack bar. And as you might expect, it has a nice play area for children, as well as picnic tables and a bandstand. Parking is free. Dondis Beach This large, popular beach is a long a walk from town or is an easy bike ride. Shuttle service is also available. It has lifeguards, restrooms, bathhouses, a restaurant, tennis courts, and towels and chairs for rent. The town's Park and Recreation Department, (508) 228-7213, offers swimming lessons here for children ages 6 and older from July 4 through Labor Day 9:30 AM to noon. Francis Street Beach A five-minute walk from Main Street, Francis Street Beach is on the calm waters of the harbor and ideal for swimming. There is no lifeguard.
|
|
|
Cisco Beach Travel southwest about 4 miles out of town to reach this stretch of shore, which is a popular place for surf-casting. A lifeguard is on duty and there is free parking. You can also take the 4-mile bike path to the end of Hummock Pond Road. Madaket Beach As far west on the island as you can go, there is a regular bus shuttle or you can take the 6-mile paved scenic bike path from town. The surf and currents here are strong and can be dangerous depending on weather conditions. Still, it's a popular spot for surf swimming, and lifeguards are on duty. The West Ender restaurant is about a five-minute walk from the beach and there are restrooms at the beach. Madaket is known for its spectacular sunsets. Miacomet Beach This beach, located at the end of Miacomet Road has no facilities or lifeguards on duty. The surf is also very heavy and strong. But if you want to get away from it all and find a deserted spot on a beach, this is the place to go. Surfside Beach Located at the end of Surfside Road, this is one of the most popular Nantucket beaches. The beach is wide--perfect for kite flying--and has a bathhouse, restrooms, and lifeguards. You can also get food nearby at a number of restaurants and convenience stores. It's accessible by shuttle bus or you can take the 3-mile paved bike path from town.
|
|
|
Siaconset Beach A regular shuttle bus gets you to this popular area, which is the only public beach on the east shore of the island. There is also a 7-mile paved bike path that you can take. Surf and the currents can be heavy. There is a lifeguard and food is available in nearby 'Sconset.
|
|
|
Natural AreasNantucket's unique natural resources can be shared by all. The Nantucket Conservation Foundation owns many properties that can be used by the public for recreation such as hiking. Other properties are owned by the Nantucket Land Bank or other conservation organizations. The Conservation Foundation owns and manages more than 8,452 acres, about 40 percent of all the land on Nantucket. We've listed a few of our favorite properties; for others, look for their maroon concrete posts decorated with the Foundation's gull and waves logo. For a complete map of all Foundation properties and regulations, visit the Foundation office at 118 Cliff Road or call (508) 228-2884. Remember: vehicles on these properties are strictly regulated or prohibited. The Sanford Farm, Ram Pasture, and
The Woods These properties total 767 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests in the southwest portion of the island. With more than 6.6 miles of roadways and trails to explore, the area includes a panoramic view of Nantucket's south shore from the barn in Ram Pasture. Ambitious hikers can follow a 6-mile round-trip trail that leads to the ocean and travels alongside Hummock Pond. You'll find a variety of wildflowers and may spot such wildlife as ring-necked pheasant, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, rabbits and deer. The land is accessible from a parking area off Madaket Road, near the intersection of Cliff Road. Long Pond Owned by the Nantucket Land Bank, this 64-acre property is especially good for bird watching. It features a 1-mile walking path that runs along the pond, past meadows and a natural cranberry bog. To reach the area, take Madaket Road and look for a dirt road on the left across from the sign to Hither Creek, near Madaket. Cross the bridge to reach a parking area and the entrance to the trail. Eel Point A spit of sand on the western end of the island, just north of and bordering Madaket Harbor, Eel Point is a Nantucket Conservation Foundation property that attracts great numbers of birds. The 100-plus acre property abounds in goldenrod, roses, wild grapes, bayberries, and other vegetation. To get there, take Eel Point Road off Cliff Road and park on the dirt road. If you're biking, take a right off the Madaket bike path onto Eel Point Road. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge This barrier beach that stretches across Nantucket Harbor is actually several protected areas in one: Coatue Wildlife Refuge and The Haulover, 476 acres owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation; Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, 792 acres owned by the Trustees of Reservations; and Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge at Great Point, owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Great Point, which is home to the lighthouse of the same name that's a replica of the one lost in a severe storm in 1994, is the island's northernmost point, slicing up between Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Remote and wild, the barrier beach offers breathtaking views and the opportunity to observe nature firsthand. In spring, it's a nesting place for piping plovers, least terns, northern harriers, and other shorebirds. The area as a whole includes not just beaches and sand dunes, but salt marshes and wind-sheared oak and cedar forests. Vehicles are strictly controlled here; a pass is required for four-wheel-drive vehicles, and officials advise inexperienced beach drivers not to drive in the very soft sand. This is a place for serious nature lovers who don't care about frills or modern amenities. There are no lifeguards, and some of the beaches are particularly dangerous for swimming. There are no restrooms, concessions, or public buildings within the refuge; come here only if you want to be one with nature and are willing to respect her. |
|
|
Continue to Recreation |