Smith Point Beach
Wild tidal point where Nantucket's west end runs out of land
About
Smith's Point Beach sits at the far southwestern tip of Nantucket, Massachusetts, where the harbor and open Atlantic collide in a restless tidal confluence. Golden sand stretches along roughly 2.4 kilometres of southwest-facing shoreline, backed by nothing but sky and the occasional piping plover. The blue water looks inviting — it isn't. Strong tidal currents rip through the point with enough force to make swimming genuinely hazardous. No facilities, no development, no noise except wind and surf: this is Nantucket stripped of its polish.
How to get there
There's no parking at Smith's Point itself. Leave your vehicle at the Madaket Beach lot and either walk the ORV track from Madaket Beach (about 30 minutes on foot) or drive it in roughly 15 minutes with a valid ORV permit — seasonal, so check current availability before you go. Access is rated difficult, and soft sand makes the trek demanding. Note that piping plover nesting closures between April and August can restrict ORV access to portions of the point.
Who it's for
For couples
For couples who want genuine solitude, Smith's Point delivers — the beach is typically empty and the raw, windswept atmosphere is unlike anything on the more visited parts of Nantucket. Pair the walk in with a sunset at Madaket Beach on the way back for a full evening.
For families
Families with young children should approach cautiously: swimming is hazardous due to strong tidal currents, there are no facilities whatsoever, and the ORV or 30-minute hike access makes it a demanding outing. Older children interested in wildlife and birds may find the piping plover habitat genuinely fascinating, but keep everyone well clear of the water.
Our take
Do not come to Smith's Point expecting a beach day in the conventional sense. Swimming is hazardous — strong tidal currents at the confluence are not a cautionary footnote, they are the defining fact of this place. What Smith's Point offers instead is something rarer on Nantucket: genuine wildness, an empty golden-sand shore, and the strange spectacle of harbor and ocean trading water at the tip of the island. Getting here takes effort — a 30-minute hike or an ORV permit and a seasonal track from Madaket Beach — and that effort is exactly what keeps it empty. Visit in September when nesting closures have lifted, the ORV track is open, and the southwest light is at its best. If you want a safe swim, head back to Madaket Beach. If you want the edge of the island with no one else on it, this is it.
What to do
Madaket Harbor, just 0.5 km away, is the natural warm-up act — sheltered and popular for kayaking and small-boat sailing. Madaket Beach itself, 1.5 km back along the track, faces west and is renowned for unobstructed Atlantic sunsets worth timing your return around. If you want to stretch the day further, Tupancy Links golf course rates 4.8 out of 5 and sits about 6.8 km east, and Steps Beach Nantucket — another highly rated spot at 4.8/5 — is 8.4 km away for a safer swim.
The tidal confluence at the tip of the point — two bodies of water visibly meeting — is the most distinctive shot on the island's west end, best captured at low tide with a wide lens.
The sweep of golden sand curving toward Madaket Harbor, shot from the point looking northeast in late-afternoon light, gives you scale and colour in a single frame.
Where to eat
There's nothing to eat at Smith's Point — pack everything in. Once you're back on the road, Cisco Brewers (6.3 km) pairs island-brewed beer with outdoor food trucks and occasional live music, making it the obvious decompression stop. For a sit-down meal, Black Eyed Susan's (8.9 km) and Straight Wharf (9.3 km) are both within easy reach of Madaket.
Where to stay
Hawthorn House, roughly 9 km from the point in Nantucket town, is the closest listed accommodation option. It puts you close enough to make an early-morning run to Smith's Point before the wind picks up, while keeping you within reach of the island's restaurants and services.
Photography
The tidal confluence at the very tip of the point — where harbor water meets open ocean — makes a compelling wide-angle subject, especially at low tide when the competing currents are visible. Arrive in the late afternoon for southwest-facing golden light washing across the golden sand, with Madaket Harbor glinting in the background.
Good to know
An ORV permit is required for any vehicle access — do not attempt to drive without one. Respect all piping plover nesting closures; sections of the point are off-limits April through August and wardens do patrol. No fires are permitted at any time. Most critically: do not enter the water at the point — strong tidal currents make swimming hazardous, and there are no lifeguards or rescue services on site.
Map
Nearby places
Cisco Brewers
Black Eyed Susan's
Easy Street Cantina
Straight Wharf
Oath Craft Pizza
Hawthorn House
Things to see around Nantucket
Madaket Beach
West-facing Atlantic beach renowned for unobstructed ocean sunsets.
Madaket Harbor
Sheltered harbor on the west end of Nantucket, popular for kayaking and small-boat sailing.
Cisco Brewers
Island brewery, winery, and distillery with outdoor concerts and food trucks.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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