Surfside Beach - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Address:Nantucket, Massachusetts

When it comes to beaches, it is important to get on the good side of both the surf and the people. And Surfside Beach, on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket, has managed to do just that. With huge, rolling waves, crystal-clear water, excellent surfcasting, and wide, soft sands, Surfside is one of the crowning jewels of Nantucket's lovely coastline. One of coastal Massachusetts' most popular beaches, Surfside is gregarious in nature, attracting beach bums of all ages. Thousands of beachcombers pour onto Surfside during the summer months for picnicing, sand sculpting, kite-flying, sunbathing and swimming in the predictably strong surf. To sample some of New England's best sand and surf, Nantucket's Surfside Beach is an excellent choice.

While swimming at Surfside is generally for hot-blooded folks (the water can be cold even on the hottest summer days), the seaweed-free, shallow waters and the excellent waves make a dip well worth the chill. Lifeguards are on duty during peak summer months. To get out on Surfside's waters, take a sunset sail on a 31-foot Friendship sailing boat. (excursions can be arranged in town), or try surfcasting on the sand (around 5.pm in the summer months), to catch some of Surfside's quality striped bass. Nantucket also offers more than 30 charter fishing companies to snag the deep-sea varieties lurking further off Surfside Beach's shores.

Surfside Beach is always bustling during the summer months, and even if you get there early, parking is an unlikelihood (there are only 60 free parking spaces). As a result, many folks head to Surfside via the 2.2- mile, paved bike path, or they hop on the seasonal shuttle run by the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority.

For a typical Nantucket seashore day, Surfside is one of the island's most beloved shorelines.