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HarborFree & OpenBest in July

Jetties Beach

Nantucket, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound

4.7(86 reviews)

Nantucket's main family beach — walkable, free, everything you need

Nantucket's most accessible beach — a 15-minute walk from town with calm harbor water, a playground, snack bar, and tennis courts. Host of the annual Film Festival's beach screening.

Jetties Beach is downtown Nantucket's family blockbuster — a wide, calm, sheltered Nantucket Sound beach reached by a fifteen-minute walk or five-minute bike from Main Street. Everything's here: a large free lot, a long bathhouse with restrooms and outdoor showers, tennis courts, a playground, a sailing center that runs lessons all summer, a busy snack bar, and lifeguards on the main swim zone. The water is shallow well out and the chop rarely tops a foot. The Nantucket Film Festival's outdoor screening night turns the sand into a movie theater every June. Get there mid-morning if you want a spot near the bathhouse; the far ends stay quieter all day.

Photo spot

Sailing dinghies on the beach with the bathhouse in the background

Arrive

Anytime — walkable from town

Crowds

High

Dogs

Seasonal

Lifeguards

On duty

Sunsets

Great spot

Best for

FamiliesPlayground

The beach

Lay of the land

Orientation: North-facing
Length: ~0.4 mi
Backshore: Dune / flat
Sand: Fine golden sand
Shade: Bathhouse porch and snack-bar deck

Wildlife

Birds you may see: common tern, herring gull, double-crested cormorant

Things to know

Piping plover closures typically run April–June — dunes may be roped off in those months.
Occasional seal haul-outs nearby — a shark factor on outer-Cape waters.
Jellyfish more likely in August.

Plan your visit

Parking & fees

Lot size: Large
Enforcement: Free; lot fills by 10am summer weekends.

Free, walkable from town

Getting there

Ferry: 60 min from Hyannis · Steamship Authority (fast ferry)
Cell signal: good

Accessibility

Beach wheelchair: Available
Mobi Mat: Yes
Accessible restroom: Yes
Accessible parking: 6 spaces
Path from parking: level

Dogs

No dogs in summer swim areas; allowed on leash off-season.

Pairs well with

Childrens Beach

Rules & activities

What’s allowed

UmbrellasTents / canopies · small onlyAlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking

Activities

Designated SUP/kayak launchWindsurfing

Safety & stewardship

Lifeguards on duty· Late June – Labor Day Partial plover closure (seasonal)

Photo by Chris Lopez via Google Places

Today

Water73°F

Next low3:51 AM(0.3 ft)

Sunrise5:31 AM

Sunset8:02 PM

Conditions

WavesCalm water

Water66–72°F (July–Aug)

TidesModerate

SharksLow risk

Jellyfishlow

Length~0.4 mi

Facilities

LifeguardsRestroomsShowersChanging roomsAccessibleBike rackVolleyball

Late June – Labor Day, 10am–5pm

On-site snack bar; downtown Nantucket ~1mi

Open in Google Maps Official town page

Ratings updated 28 days ago

Jetties Beach — good to know

How much does parking cost at Jetties Beach?

Parking at Jetties 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 Jetties Beach?

Dogs are not permitted at Jetties Beach during the summer season — No dogs in summer swim areas; allowed on leash off-season.

Does Jetties Beach have lifeguards?

Yes — Jetties Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (Late June – Labor Day).

Are there restrooms at Jetties Beach?

Jetties Beach has public restrooms and showers available in season.

What is the water like at Jetties Beach?

Jetties Beach is a sheltered harbor beach on Nantucket Sound. Expect calm, gentle water that's good for young kids and easy swimming. Average summer water temperature is around 66–72°F (July–Aug).

What is Jetties Beach best for?

Jetties Beach is especially good for families and playground.

When is the best time to visit Jetties Beach?

Anytime — walkable from town, free parking, full amenities.