Fisherman's Beach
Nantucket, MA
Fisherman's Beach sits on Nantucket's south shore between Surfside and Nobadeer, down Nonantum Avenue, where the road gives way to sand and open Atlantic. The beach is wide, the lot is small, and the surf can be good when a swell rolls in. Check for lifeguard flags before you swim.
Wide sand and decent surf with fewer cars than its neighbors make it a favorite pick, though the small lot means timing matters.
How we score beachesTreat it as the pressure valve for Surfside and Nobadeer. If those lots are packed, a short ride along the shore can put you on open sand.
A small lot holds a few cars, with some street parking for overflow. Arriving by bike is the safer plan on summer weekends.
Expect a walk over soft sand from the lot to the water. Check current signage for stairs or ramps before bringing a stroller or wheelchair.
Summer brings the warmest water and the biggest crowds, while a late-season swell can make for good waves. Fall afternoons tend to be calm and open.
More Atlantic Coast beaches

Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.

Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.

Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.
