A wide, flat south-shore beach with rolling surf over sandbars, about 2.3 miles from town by car or bike path. It's Nantucket's most amenity-heavy south-shore beach, and also its most crowded on summer weekends.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot unconfirmed
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Nantucket lifeguards are on duty from late June through Labor Day, roughly 9am to 5pm, and vehicles are barred from the lifeguarded beaches during those hours. Posted hours at the entrance win if they differ.
From late JuneAccessibility
Handicap parking spaces in the lot
Dogs
Leashed, licensed dogs are allowed on Nantucket's public beaches, but never in dune vegetation, marsh grass, or other fenced or posted protected-wildlife areas. That's the town-wide default; watch for posted signs here.
Managed by
Town of Nantucket Marine & Coastal Resources Department
508-228-7261 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Costunconfirmed
Surfside Beach lot
Details unconfirmed
Surfside Beach lot
CostunconfirmedSpaceslarge paved lot with handicap spaces
Access points along this beach
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
seasonal, at the beach
Concessions
hot food, soft drinks
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Surfside Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Water °F | 39° | 38° | 42° | 50° | 57° | 67° | 76° | 75° | 69° | 61° | 51° | 42° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Nantucket Island (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Surfside Beach in Nantucket open today?
Surfside Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
When does the parking lot fill up?
By mid-morning on summer weekends the lot is typically full, so an early start matters most in July and August.
Can I bike here instead of driving?
Yes, the paved Surfside Bike Path runs car-free from town, about 3 miles each way.
Are there restrooms at Surfside Beach?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Surfside Beach?
Water at Surfside Beach averages about 38°F in February and 76°F in July, based on NOAA readings at Nantucket Island from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
What rules should I know at Surfside Beach?
No bonfires, campfires, or fireworks.
Can you swim at Surfside Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Surfside Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Surfside Beach?
Leashed, licensed dogs are allowed on Nantucket's public beaches, but never in dune vegetation, marsh grass, or other fenced or posted protected-wildlife areas. That's the town-wide default; watch for posted signs here.