Nantucket

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firstlight

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I have been to Block a dozen times and love it. Wife and I enjoy the great beaches and the ability to dingy to beach.
We got a new boat and looking to venture to Nantucket and points east from N.Y.
How does Nantucket compare to Block, beaches, restaurants, docking etc. Thanks
 
Nice place, VERY pricey compared to Block. Try to plan your fuel purchase OFF island. When we where there a few years ago, fuel in my area was in the upper $2 range while it was $5.75 in Nantucket. I shudder to see what it is today.

Marina gets quite crowded with tourists due to the what seems like constant flow of passenger ferries in and out of the place. Docking was easy and IIRC we were assisted by an all female staff. Lots of decent yet expensive restaurants. Again the first word that always pops into my mind for Nantucket is "expensive"

The year we did Nantucket we visited all 3 islands, Block, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. My favourite is still Block and the wife's is MV. Nantucket came in 3rd for both of us. (But we will still go back in the future.)
 
I was unaware of the price difference but it is on my bucket list. I too have been to Block several times and enjoy it but would like to venture to new places just to change things up and keep things interesting.

What about boating is every cheap? The good news is the price of fuel is coming down.
 
Nantucket is easily the most expensive of the bunch, and our least favorite, but that's pretty personal as obviously a lot of people love it. Moorings are an alternative to the Boat Basin with good launch service, then you spend your savings in about 15 minutes once on shore. We prefer MV ourselves, more variety and things to do and see. Don't forget to stop in Cuttyhunk and hike around, and Memensha on the south east side of MV... both a bit less honky tonk than the other stops and nice beaches. We never docked in any of them, always took a mooring or anchored. Much more privacy and quiet. Great cruising grounds. When in the vicinity, Westport Harbor MA is another very pretty, low key stop with a great beach; the inlet can be a little too "interesting" at max ebb, slack tide is best and call Tripps on CH 9 for local knowledge and a mooring or slip.
 
I ve spend a bit of time on Nantucket over the past 4 summers and find it to be one if my favorite.

Yes, fuel is usually $2 more so try to refuel elsewhere. Pt Judith marina is usually amount the cheapest in the area, if range is problem then call some of the harbors in the south shore of cape CID

Dockage at the boat basin is nice but a bit pricey (although not really worst than other NE hot spots). Big down side is lack of privacy... You can't beat the moorings. There is a very good launch service as well as dinghy docks although crowded. With a good dink, don't miss exploring the upper harbor, many nice beaches. Restaurants are a little more $, depends where you go

Nantucket has very nice bike path network, worth bringing bikes or renting

I ve never been too impressed by MV, it s easier to get there by ferry so it s more crowded and has more of a mass tourism feel. Edgartown is a nice stop though, much better than V heaven.

I m glad George mentionned Cutthunk, it's one of my favorite stops. It s usually our guests favorite stop as well, even those who really said they wanted to go to block, thy end up preceding Cutty. Dockage is among the cheapest in NE, $2 or $2.50 a foot.

Going to Nantucket from LIS, i usually take the buzzards bay route, running close to the islands shoreline and thru woods hole. Nice and scenic. A lunch stop at Hadley Harbor is a must. Depending on tide and wind the stretch between WH and VH can be a bit rough
 
I see my good friend George, Caltexfla, has crossed paths again. George was of great help when I transported my new boat from North Carolina.
How would you all compare beaches in Block to MV and Nantucket and can you get to beaches with dingy? Thanks Frank
 
For breakfast, ignore the tourist obsession with the Downyflake. It's good, but nothing special. You wait an hour for a table for nothing special. You want to walk across the street/Stop and Shop parking lot/street to the Hen House. It's down behind the pharmacy. Best breakfast on the island. Try the eggs benedict with corned beef hash.

Best calamari on island is the Brotherhood of Thieves. Straight Wharf has great seafood chowder. One fantastic restaurant (bit pricey) is Brant Point Grill, at the White Elephant (right by the boat ramp and Children's Beach - walk out of downtown towards Brant Point, hang a right on Easton St., it'll be on the right) - lobster a la plancha that will blow your mind.

Best pizza you will ever eat in your life? Pi Pizzeria. It's in the mid-island, also, close to Hen House.

Cisco Brewery - don't miss Cisco Brewery. I'd just take a cab there.

And speaking of cabs on island, they are cheap, it's rare for them to overcharge tourists (they've been known to habitually undercharge residents because they know they'll make it up on the tip, so when they charge full rate, people whine they got gipped). But still, if you're calling for a cab rather than grabbing one in the line at A&P parking lot or Steamship, there is one and ONLY ONE cab to call. Chief's Cab, 508-284-8497. Trust me on this one - he's the best cab driver around, guaranteed to make you laugh, and the only cab driver you''ll ever ride featured in his own Nantucket Nectar's cap (seriously).
 
quote:
How would you all compare beaches in Block to MV and Nantucket and can you get to beaches with dingy?
Click to expand...


I always stay on a mooring in Edgartown and usually run the dinghy to Katama bay and go to the beach from there which is nice. Normally I go to the east side of the cut which is pretty quiet. Last year I went further to the west and then walked to the main section of 'South Beach' to meet other friends who were there. It was nice but it was so crowded I felt like I was at Jones Beach... Better off to the east if you like it quiet. It is a fairly long run from the mooring field to the beach but it's a nice ride.

I have not yet been to Nantucket but really like MV and prefer it over Block. Block is very nice but much more to explore on MV. From Edgartown with a good dinghy there's plenty to explore by water too.

John
 
George has pretty much nailed it. Except for the remarks about Westport. You don't want to go there, very slow, lots of bugs, dangerous entrance, nothing to do etc etc. By all means go to nantucket or MV or Block, don't go to Cuttyhunk or Westport. :)

That is my home country, have always enjoyed Menemsha and Block,especially Cuttyhunk. Nantucket,Newport are overrated and way over priced,my opinion.

Have a great summer of cruising. If not for my admirals' illnes we would be there for the summer, just not to be. We will probably never get back there.

John
 
I'll chime in as well. Nantucket is worth a visit. You asked specifically about the beaches. Nantucket is a much bigger Island so there's a bigger choice of beaches. There are several on Nantucket that are a dinghy ride from the boat basin/mooring field. Other would require a bike or cab ride. More variety on Nantucket of cove vs. ocean. South facing will obviously have more surf. But I would describe them as very similar in most ways. Nantucked is a much fancier island than Block. More expensive, more variety of restaurants, shops, etc.. Also, much bigger boats. Block is mostly family cruising boats in the 35-45ft range. The Boat Basin on Nantucket is dominated by large yachts. Last time I was there, we were totally shadowed by 80+ ft yachts on all sides. Next time I would certainly take a mooring. For us, Nantucket is a lot farther. So all in all, I'd go to Block much more frequently.
 
One of our most favorite boating pursuits, taking the dink to beaches hard to access by any other means; we were just enjoying the south side of Carrot Island / Bird Shoal off Beaufort NC yesterday

I have to admit I have never gone to the beach on Nantucket or the upper part of MV. We went to the beach at Memensha Bight for a quick picnic which was nice. The beaches at Cuttyhunk are fun (ocean side and beach by harbor entrance), but if you want something much less populated, anchor in Tarpaulin Cove east of Cuttyhunk and explore around or hang out there for a day. We were based in Westport, so had Horseneck Beach the best beach of all a dinghy ride away, down by the inlet you were well away from the public beach and beach clubs, you beached the dinghy on the river side and had nice clear mostly fresh water to play in. Also a popular sand bar right there too out in the harbor. Doesn't get much better anywhere. So it wasn't like we were really beach hunters when going to MV or NKT or Cutty.

Another favorite is Napatree Beach near WatchHill RI, recently discussed here. Perfect for anchoring out inside and taking the dink in. Very nice.
 
This has been a great thread with terrific info - thanks to everyone who has contributed. I'll be hitting Nantucket for the first time, leaving from Montauk this summer. I was surprised not to see any Route Sharing files between these two points on Active Captain. While there are obviously a few options, it appears to me that my best move is to pass Block on the north side and head to Vineyard Sound and around rather than taking the Muskeget Channel (or passing to the south of Nantucket). There's not a significant distance penalty and it would seem that I'll be in more protected waters but would love to hear any feedback/suggestions. We cruise at 20 - 25 kts and won't be making any stops along the way. We will obviously be paying close attention to the wind forecast as we're looking for a comfortable travel day, not a "got to get there" delivery run.

Thanks in advance.
 
Sierra, your route is the preferred route. Not only will you get out of ocean swells once you enter Vineyard Sound, the water is deeper and you don't have to be as worried about shoaling. Shoaling can be significant south and west of Nantucket and aroud nomans.
 
Damn i thought this had to do with a song from West, Bruce and Lainge (mountian) about a whale draging a fishing boat around.
 
I don't think anyone cut between Nantucket and MV except with local knowledge

If you have and wind or wave from the south, the buzzards bay / woods hole route is smoother than vineyard sound
 
Most do seem to avoid that area..
Used the channel on the west side a few times and go around now.. Too many ledges, etc. and the ride is so much better inside. I prefer the buzzards route as well and if the bay is a bit rough I'll run thru Quicks Hole to the sound.
 
My two cents, I love Nantucket. We go to the Boat Basin and set out everyday on an adventure. The public transportation to the beach is quite nice and the beaches (surfside) is one of the best. Food is great, atmosphere is great, I guess I'm one of those that LOVE it. Going this year late in July.

Block is different but we LOVE it there as well. We've always gone to Paine's dock...some don't like it but we've got to know the owners, the area and it's so convenient for everyone. Ballards Beach is worth the trip ONLY if you like a crowd, music, service on the beach and a lot of young people. Even better is biking up to the light house and then traversing (if you are able) the steps down to Mohegan Bluffs. This is a remote beach with excellent surf. We go everytime. The OAR sunsets with drinks and dinner is legendary. If you like to moore the salt pond is busy but accomodating.

If I had to pick -- I couldn't -- we hit Newport, then Block, then Nantucket in our late July trip this year.

Definitely carry fuel so you don't have to top off in Nantucket.

Don't listen to anyone about Cutty, don't go there!, stay away! :)
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

I don't think anyone cut between Nantucket and MV except with local knowledge

If you have and wind or wave from the south, the buzzards bay / woods hole route is smoother than vineyard sound

Click to expand...


I never cared much for Muskeget Channel. Can't even put my finger on exactly what it was, but there was something discomforting about that route.
 
Looking to plan a trip for next year.
Like to include Block, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.
Looking for advice on best time to go, July or August.
Distance from Block to MV, MV to Nantucket, and Nantucket and Block?
Marina's to stay at.

Any other help appreciated!!

Thanks!
 
All those islands are different but interesting. Water was too cold go swimming for me. Global warming may have fixed that though.
 
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