Nantucket, Massachusetts, is a dreamy vacation spot and a preferred location for water sports lovers. This New England island has some of the most beautiful beaches and coastlines with different water and weather conditions.
The water is calm and flat in the Harbor. But there is a steady swell on the south on the Atlantic Ocean coast. In other words, the conditions are suitable for water sports aficionados of all skill levels and ages.
The island is 30 miles south of Cape Cod, MA, and can be reached by ferry or airplane. Nantucket is also known for its well-preserved architecture. All these beautiful houses, cottages, and beach condos contribute to the magnificent charm of the island. Many people prefer booking a house for their Nantucket vacation. Some rentals even come with amenities such as surfboards and other water sports gear.
Plenty of watersports schools, rentals, and excursions are also suitable for beginners and experienced water sports enthusiasts.
Here are some of the popular water sports and activities to enjoy during your stay in Nantucket this summer.
1. Kiteboarding
Whether you have been kiteboarding for years or you’re eager to learn how to ride the waves and learn some neat tricks, Nantucket is a great place to practice this fun sport.
While the winds are pretty consistent throughout the year, during the summer, they are mostly from the southwest. Local experts and watersports school coaches recommend the harbor as the best spot for kiteboarding in the summer. During the other seasons, the wind is mainly from the northeast and the south.
Pocomo Beach is one of the top preferred spots for learning how to ride a board while flying a kite, surfing, or kayaking.
The local licensed kiteboarding coaches offer the latest gear and lessons for people of all ages and experience levels. They will help you stay safe and learn the essential skills you need to enjoy kiteboarding. Or they can teach you advanced jumps and tricks if you are already experienced.
2. Kayaking
For those of you willing to explore the island and its coasts on a kayak, the good news is that there are suitable places and conditions, as well as different kayak rental services on Nantucket.
The calmest waters are on the island’s north coast, which borders the partially enclosed Nantucket Sound. This makes the Harbor a top choice for safe kayaking for beginners and families.
But always keep in mind that the weather and the sea can change abruptly at any given minute on this island, also known as “The Little Grey Lady of the Sea.”
So, if you want to be extra safe, you can rent a kayak and head off to enjoy some leisurely paddling in one of the several sheltered ponds.
One of the most picturesque ponds for kayaking is the tidal Coskata Pond. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a beautiful barrier beach, part of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.
If you want a safer and shallower option, you can head off to the freshwater Long Pond in western Nantucket instead.
Another excellent option is paddling at the Sesachacha kettle pond or the coastal Hummock pond in southeastern Nantucket.
Those of you who are more experienced and adventurous can plan an exciting kayak trip to the barrier beaches on the Coatue peninsular. It is home to the stunning Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.
There are several sailing and kayak rentals on the island, the most popular ones situated at the Nantucket Harbor itself.
You can rent a single or double kayak, a SUP, and even a sailboat, or sign up for group lessons or guided tours. The rental services can deliver the gear to any point on the island.
If you are in luck, your rental residence host may have included a kayak or other water sports gear in the price too.
3. Surfing
Nantucket is preferred by surfers of all skill levels for its fun surf, the flat waters on the east, and the swells on the south. The different surfing conditions on this small island make it perfect for those willing to learn or send their kids to surfing school. But also for the more adventurous surfers willing to test the Atlantic Ocean swells coming from different directions.
The island has two surf schools. The Nantucket Island Surf School is located at Cisco Beach. The second one is ACK Surf School and it can be found at Nobadeer Beach. Both beaches are on the island’s south shore.
You can rent all kinds of surf gear and wet suits and sign up for surf camps, group courses, private lessons, or enjoy surfing by yourself.
Other activities you can enjoy include body surfing, stand up paddle boarding, and even SUP Yoga.
If you are an absolute newbie or have small children, the northern beaches such as Dionis, Children’s, Jetties and others are more suitable because of the flat and calm waters.
There is a surf club in Nantucket, as well as various surf shops and bars where you can meet friendly fellow surfers and the locals.
4. Wakeboarding
If you want to experience some real action on the waters on Nantucket’s shores, then you should plan to join a wakeboarding excursion or tour.
Local companies offer all the equipment you need to enjoy wakeboarding, wake surfing, water skiing, hydro-foiling, or tubing safely.
The best place to be introduced to this exciting water sport is at the Harbor, where the water is calm, waist-deep, and flat.
The licensed coaches will provide you with all the necessary basics and safety instructions. They can also teach the more experienced of you some new skills and tricks.
You can join an excursion and practice your wakeboarding skills while your friends or family on the boat enjoy the view of the island and the ocean.
Best of all, licensed water sports coaches can bring along a variety of different equipment. This will allow you to try out one or more of the available options – wake surfing, wakeboarding, tubing, hydro-foiling, or water skiing on one trip.
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