Madaket
The western end of Nantucket, known for spectacular sunsets over Madaket Harbor and the open Atlantic. A quieter, more remote feel with some of the island’s best beaches.
History & Overview
Madaket occupies the western tip of Nantucket and has long been one of the island's most remote and least developed areas. The name comes from the Wampanoag language, and the area was used by Native Americans for centuries before European settlement.
Historically, Madaket served as a small fishing community. The harbor provided shelter for boats, and the surrounding waters offered excellent fishing grounds. Unlike Nantucket Town, which grew into a bustling whaling port, Madaket remained a quiet, rural outpost throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today Madaket is primarily residential, with a mix of year-round homes and summer cottages. The area is beloved for Madaket Beach — one of Nantucket's premier swimming and surfcasting beaches — and for its legendary sunsets. The Madaket bike path from town is a popular route.
Key Locations
Madaket Beach
A wide, exposed beach on the western end of the island with strong surf and spectacular sunsets. Popular for swimming, surfcasting, and beachcombing. Lifeguards in season. Accessible by bike path or car (beach sticker required for parking).
Madaket Harbor
A sheltered harbor on the south side used by recreational boaters and fishermen. The harbor provides a calm contrast to the Atlantic-facing beach on the north side.
Madaket Bike Path
A scenic 5.5-mile paved bike path connecting Nantucket Town to Madaket. One of the island's most popular cycling routes, passing through conservation land and offering views of the moors.
How to Stay Involved
- Select Board Meetings — Town-wide policy decisions affecting all of Nantucket.
- Conservation Commission — Wetlands, coastal, and environmental oversight.
- Town Meeting — Direct democracy where voters decide budgets and bylaws.
- Back to Nantucket Town Page →