Nantucket
Island Historic Massachusetts island famous for whaling heritage
Nantucket island off Massachusetts preserves a 19th-century whaling-town layout with cobbled streets, lighthouses and clapboard houses; tourists arrive for sailing, beaches, historic museums and summer-season restaurants and galleries.
Nantucket is an island and town off the coast of Massachusetts known for its preserved 19th-century architecture and history as a whaling port. The island has a compact historic town centre with museums, cobblestone streets and a working waterfront.
Tourist activities focus on heritage sites, beaches and maritime museums, including exhibits about the island’s whaling past. The island is served by ferries and a small regional airport, with seasonal peaks in visitor numbers.
Nantucket lies in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 30 miles south of Cape Cod and is part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.
- Access: Located about 30 miles (roughly 48 kilometres) south of Cape Cod, it is accessible by ferry and small aircraft from the Massachusetts mainland.
How to Get to Nantucket #
Nantucket is an island reachable by air or ferry. Passenger ferries (Hy-Line Cruises) and vehicle/passenger ferries (Steamship Authority) depart daily from Hyannis on Cape Cod - Hyannis is about a 70-75 mile drive from Boston. Seasonal flights operate to Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) from Boston/Logan and regional hubs (carriers such as Cape Air and others). From the Steamship Authority terminal the town of Nantucket is a short walk (roughly 5-15 minutes) or a very short taxi ride.
Tips for Visiting Nantucket #
- Arrive early in the morning or visit in shoulder seasons (late spring or early fall) to avoid the heavy summer ferry and downtown crowds and to get the best light for lighthouses and harbor photos.
- Choose your arrival based on plans: the Hy-Line from Hyannis is faster and convenient for foot passengers who want to step straight into downtown Nantucket, while the Steamship Authority is the main option if you need to take a car onto the island.
- Many visitors stick to downtown - make time for Siasconset ('Sconset) on the east end and the bluff walk, or head west to Madaket and Cisco for quieter beaches and calmer sunsets that most day-trippers miss.
Best Time to Visit Nantucket #
Best visited late spring through early fall for warm weather, beaches, and active island services, with shoulder seasons offering fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Nantucket #
Nantucket's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1041 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm) and breezy conditions.
