Nantucket Day Trip | Hy-Line Cruises (2024)

Whether you’re venturing out to the cape during summer or the off-season, Nantucket makes for the perfect day trip location. A change in scenery, a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun, and fresh air are all good for the soul!

If you’re considering a day trip outing to Nantucket, here are some spots to visit:

Nantucket On Foot

Brant Point Light

Nantucket Day Trip | Hy-Line Cruises (1)Our #1 choice of most Instagrammable spots in our onboard magazine! Completed in 1759, this is the lighthouse our ferries pass as they come into Nantucket Harbor and you can walk there within minutes, from where we dock on Straight Wharf. Brant Point is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the area. It is a great background to take a selfie, capture a kiss, or even take pictures of your kids playing on the very calm surrounding waters. Legend has it that when you leave Nantucket and ‘round Brant Point, if you throw a penny in the water it will guarantee your return!

Downtown Nantucket

Once you step off the ferry onto Straight Wharf, it’s like stepping back in time. The cobblestone streets and architecture oftentimes create a feeling of elation and an affinity for the whaling history culture. Due to the island’s ban on national chain stores, it is nothing less than authentic. On a leisurely stroll you will find boutiques, retail shops, restaurants, antique shops and more!

Walk the Wharves

Straight Wharf, Old South Wharf, Nantucket Boat Basin, and Steamboat Wharf are perfect for a different kind of sightseeing. You will be amazed at the sheer number of people who visit the island onboard their own vessel. From sailboats to cabin cruisers to mega-yachts (we’ve even seen some with helicopter landing pads), be prepared for a first-hand look at an on-the-water maritime museum of its very own.

Lily Pond Park

Less than 1-mile from where we dock, this peaceful park is a wetland with boardwalks and benches for exploration. This is also a great choice if you bring your pup for the day.

Secret Spot

We affectionately refer to this as the ‘Secret Spot’ because it doesn’t actually have a name. Owned by the Nantucket Land Bank, you will find it if you walk up Main Street to the corner of 67 Main Street and Fair Street. It’s a quiet place to stop and rest, surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers and shrubs. You just have to see it for yourself.

Nantucket Beach Day

Nantucket Day Trip | Hy-Line Cruises (2)

Children’s Beach

This is our top pick for family-friendly beaches on the island! It’s a small beach with calm waters and is within walking distance from where we dock on Straight Wharf.

Getting Around during the Day

The Wave

Operated by NRTA (Nantucket Regional Transit Authority), The Wave provides convenient fixed route bus service year-round, throughout the island. You can pick up The Wave at The Greenhound Building on Washington Street, a short walk from Straight Wharf. They also have a handy-dandy “Where’s My Bus” app for real-time bus locations. Ride The Wave!

Nantucket Bike Shop

Offering bicycle rentals for all ages and abilities, Nantucket Bike Shop currently has one location open on Broad Street however they are also offering no-contact delivery and free curbside pickup.

The Nosh

Rose & Crown
South Water Street
Pub-style food with apps, salads, burgers, entrees, full bar
Outdoor patio seating or limited indoor seating

Breeze at The Nantucket Hotel
Easton Street
Soup, salad, sandwiches, steak, seafood, full bar
Take out for lunch and dinner, or full-service dinner on the front porch

Aunt Leah’s Fudge
Straight Wharf
Multiple homemade fudge selection and chocolate covered cranberries
Order online, call ahead or front door pick up

The Juice Bar
Broad Street
50+ flavors of homemade, award-winning ice cream
Take out or order larger quantities ahead

We encourage cooperation with guidelines in place at all of these locations for the safety and well-being of everyone!

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Nantucket Day Trip | Hy-Line Cruises (2024)

FAQs

How long is it from Hyline to Nantucket? ›

Both run high-speed passenger catamarans with a travel time of approximately one hour.

Can you do Nantucket as a day trip? ›

Day Trip to Nantucket on Foot

With loads of boutique shops, galleries, and scrumptious stops for nosh, your walking pace will determine how much you can see and experience. You won't have to miss the beach either as there are several well-known beaches located within walking distance of the main downtown.

How much is the Nantucket High-Speed Ferry? ›

Reservations: 800-492-8082. Steamship Authority High-Speed Ferry Rates: Adult $81 round-trip, $42.50 one-way; Child (5-12) $41.75 round-trip, $21 one-way; Child (under 5) free; Bicycle $14 round-trip, $7 one-way.

How long is the fairy ride to Nantucket? ›

Nantucket is located 26 miles from Cape Cod's mainland port of Hyannis. Take a leisurely 2 hour and 15 minute voyage on our traditional ferries from Hyannis to Nantucket. Or ride in style and luxury on board our seasonal high-speed passenger-only ferry, the M/V Iyanough, which gets you to Nantucket in just one hour.

Can you get around Nantucket without a car? ›

Walking and Biking:

Nantucket is a very walkable and bike-friendly island, so it's also possible to get around by foot or bike.

Is it easy to walk around Nantucket? ›

Nantucket is small and extremely walkable, so please consider leaving your car in Hyannis, where both ferry lines operate secure lots.

Is Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard better? ›

Martha's Vineyard is the larger of the two islands and is also far busier. Its population swells to over 200,000 in summer, so you could run into some crowds. Nantucket is smaller and doesn't get as busy. If you're looking to relax and hit up a secluded trail or beach, it's worth considering.

Is Nantucket cash only? ›

You can use your major credit cards pretty much everywhere on the Cape and islands; the exceptions might be some smaller stores or eateries (we indicate in the review of the place whether it's cash only).

Do the Kardashians go to Nantucket? ›

Kourtney Kardashian, Scott Disick, and their kids Mason, Penelope, and Reign recently vacationed in a lovely Nantucket waterfront home that's reportedly worth $50 million.

Why is the Nantucket ferry so expensive? ›

The increased fare is in response to rising fuel and maintenance costs — the Authority hopes to gain an additional $7.8 million with rate increases in 2023. $4.4 million of this would be from its Martha's Vineyard route, while the other $3.4 million would be from its Nantucket route.

Are there Ubers on Nantucket? ›

Taxi in Nantucket

Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when getting around Nantucket. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. Request a ride from an airport to a hotel, head to a restaurant, or visit another place. The choice is yours.

Do you need reservations for Nantucket? ›

Passenger reservations are not needed for our traditional ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Passengers traveling without a vehicle may purchase their tickets using our eFerry digital ticketing website at app.steamshipauthority.com or at our terminals on the day of sailing.

How long is the Hy-line ferry to Nantucket? ›

Fast Ferry to Nantucket (Crossing Time: 1-hour, Distance: 22 miles) Built in 2016 at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, MA, Grey Lady IV is the newest vessel of the Hy-Line fleet. This high-speed catamaran operates between Hyannis and Nantucket.

Can you go to Nantucket for the day? ›

While there are certainly plenty of things to do on Cape Cod, it's worth taking a Nantucket day trip during your Cape getaway. With three historic lighthouses, several museums, and beautiful scenes all around, you'll see why the island is such a charming destination as soon as you arrive.

How fast is the ferry on the Hyline? ›

Cruising at 30 knots, this passenger vessel was spec'd by the builder with four Cummins KTA50's . Hy-Line counts on Cummins, choosing to repower her with Cummins QSK60's, designed to withstand New England's weather and challenging conditions.

How long is the boat from NYC to Nantucket? ›

How long does the New York-Nantucket crossing take? The travel time of the New York-Nantucket ferry is around: 6h 15 minutes.

How long is the ferry from New Bedford to Nantucket? ›

Trip overview

The average ferry between New Bedford and Nantucket takes 1h 52m and the fastest ferry takes 1h 40m. The ferry service runs several times per day from New Bedford to Nantucket. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use the search form on this page to search for a specific travel date.

Where is the high-speed ferry to Nantucket? ›

Hy-Line Cruises High-Speed Ferry, departs from Hyannis, MA. Also inter-island service from Oak Bluffs (Martha's Vineyard).

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