Surf and Kitesurf Guide: Nantucket, Massachusetts

Most people picture Nantucket as a ferry ride for cobblestones and clam shacks, not a surf trip. But the south shore of this Massachusetts island holds a genuine cold water break, and the north shore has quietly become a spot local kiters treat as their own.

Why Nantucket?

Nantucket sits 30 miles off Cape Cod, fully exposed to the open Atlantic on its south side, which is what gives Cisco Beach real swell most of the year. The north shore faces Nantucket Sound instead, a calmer, wind driven stretch that suits kiting rather than wave riding.

→ The south shore catches swell from east through south to south southwest, with a south swell being the classic setup.

↳ That same exposure means fall and winter storms track close enough to fill in the Cisco lineup when the rest of New England is fighting for scraps.

Getting There and Getting Around

Nantucket is an island, so getting there means a boat or a plane, and getting around once you land takes some planning.

Fly into Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK), with direct routes from Boston and New York in season.
→ Or take the Steamship Authority car ferry or the faster passenger only Hy-Line Cruises boat from Hyannis on Cape Cod.
↳ A car helps for reaching Cisco Beach and the quieter north shore access points, though bikes and mopeds cover the in-town distances fine in summer.

Cisco Beach is reached via Milk Street onto Hummock Pond Road, a straightforward drive from town. The north shore kite area is a beach access point with parking nearby, though expect a short carry to the water.

When to Surf or Kitesurf Nantucket

These two disciplines peak in different seasons here, which is part of what makes the island worth a longer visit. Surf at Cisco is most consistent in autumn and winter, when Atlantic storm systems send swell down the coast and offshore winds out of the north and northwest groom the beach break into rideable shape. Kiting on the north shore runs opposite, with May through September as the working window and September singled out by local kiters as the sweet spot, since the wind holds, the summer crowds thin out, and the water is still warm.

Safety notes: Cisco has rips and undertow that build with swell size, so know your exit before you paddle out. On the north shore, the kite area sits near a channel with boat traffic and strong current, and the zone around the jetties runs shallow and can go dry at low tide. Kiting there is widely understood to be off limits during the busiest weeks of summer, when the anchorage fills with boats, so check locally before rigging up if you are visiting in July or August.

Surf and Kite Zones

Cisco Beach: An open, sandy beach break on the island's south shore, with both left and right peaks and a low to medium tide working best.
Wave: Mellow and forgiving in smaller swell, punchy and powerful once a real autumn groundswell arrives.
Level: Beginner to advanced, genuinely fun for longboards on smaller days.
Nantucket Jetties (north shore): A flat water kite zone split by a jetty, sheltered on the inside with northwest wind and open to small wind waves on the outside with northeast or east wind.
Wind: Best on any direction with north in it.
Level: Intermediate to advanced, given the current and boat traffic to manage.
Madaquecham, Miacomet, and Madaket: A string of south and west facing beach breaks that give Cisco regulars somewhere else to look when the wind or swell angle is off.

Where to Stay

→ Nantucket town is small and walkable, but staying closer to the south shore cuts down the drive to Cisco considerably.

Budget

Shared or off season guesthouse rooms in town are the most affordable way onto the island, though summer rates climb fast on Nantucket regardless of category.

Mid-Range

Inns and small hotels a short bike ride from the harbor put you close to restaurants and the ferry, with a car or bike needed to reach Cisco.

Luxury

Oceanfront cottage rentals near Cisco or Madaquecham let surfers check the beach from the porch before a session, at a premium that reflects the island's limited inventory.

Food and Drink

→ Nantucket town has a serious food scene for an island this size, from raw bars to bakeries that open before dawn for the fishing fleet.

↳ After a cold morning at Cisco, a hot coffee and a warm pastry from one of the in town bakeries does more good than almost anything else on the island.

Photographing Nantucket (Surf Snaps)

A gray autumn swell at Cisco or a kite lit up against a Nantucket Sound sunset are both worth more than a phone photo from the dunes. Photographers shooting the island can upload a Nantucket gallery to Surf Snaps and keep full copyright over every image, while surfers and kiters can later browse and buy their own shots starting at $8, no account required just to look.

FAQ

Is Nantucket good for beginner surfers?
Cisco Beach works for beginners on smaller days, since it is a forgiving sandy beach break, though rips and undertow mean a beginner should stay aware of conditions and ideally not surf alone.

When is the best time to surf Nantucket?
Autumn and winter bring the most consistent swell from Atlantic storm systems, with north and northwest wind grooming Cisco into its best shape.

Can you kitesurf on Nantucket in the summer?
The north shore kite zone is widely understood to be off limits during the busiest summer weeks because of boat traffic in the anchorage, so September, after the crowds thin, is generally considered the better window.

Do you need a car to surf Cisco Beach?
A car makes it far easier, since Cisco is reached via Milk Street and Hummock Pond Road outside of town, though a bike can cover the distance for a fit rider.

How can I get photos of my session on Nantucket?
Check Surf Snaps to see if a local photographer already shot the beach that day, or upload your own gallery if you are the one behind the camera.