The Best Nantucket Tours
If you are new to the island and only going to be on Nantucket for a day or two, we highly recommend that you start with one of Nantucket's van or bus tours. It is a great way to see a lot of the island in a relatively short time. Then, if you decide you want to spend more time in ‘Sconset or one of the other more remote locations, you can always rent a car and go back on your own. The tour guides listed below are natives or long-time residents, and they know their stuff. It makes for a fun and informative sightseeing trip.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of other Nantucket tours available to you. Tours cover everything from Historic sites to historic homes, from birding watching to sketching, from guided tours to self-guided tours with downloadable maps. You’re sure to find something of interest to you.
Most of the specialty tours operate seasonally, as well as some of the van and bus tours, so be sure to check availability before making your final plans.
Bus and Van Tours
Not only are they a great way to see some of the most popular
destinations outside of Nantucket Town without having to rent a car, but
the van and bus tours are reasonably affordable and convenient. Most
of the tour operators will pick you up and drop you off at your inn or
hotel. These experienced and knowledgeable guides know the island and
love sharing the island's history, along with interesting stories and
insights. Popular stops on the bus and van tours include ‘Sconset,
cranberry bogs, the Old Mill, Sankaty Lighthouse and Great Point
Lighthouse, but routes vary from company to company so check out their
websites to learn more about stops, rates and hours.
Barrett's Tours
508.228.0174
13, 32 & 49 passenger buses
12:30 Daily departure from Visitors Center
For more info: Barrett's Tours
Gails Tours
508.257.6557
Van tours
Passenger pickup
Van stops for pictures
Island Tours
508.228.0334
800.492.8082
Tour buses
For more info: Island Tours
Val’s Tours of Nantucket
508.680.1300
Passenger mini vans
Prefer a specialized tour?
Nantucket Tours, Field Trips & Cruises
African American History Tours
Black History Trail on Nantucket
508.228.9833
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
For more information and downloadable maps:
African American History Tour
Beach Discovery Field Trips
Maria Mitchell Association
508.228.0898
Seasonal
For more information: Maria Mitchell Association
Biking Tours / Trails
Bike Nantucket
Classic and custom tours
For more information: Bike Natucket
For details on Nantucket bike paths, maps, rentals, and other information: Wheels, Heels and Pedals
Birding Tours
Maria Mitchell Association
508.228.0898
For more information: Maria Mitchell Association
Hiking Trails
OK, so these aren't "tours", but Nantucket has some of the most awesome hiking trails, I just had to include to include this category.
For hiking trails, maps, and other information: Wheels, Heels and Pedals
Also, be sure to check out the trails and downloadable trail maps at Coskata-Coatue Maps & Resources!
Historic Homes
Nantucket Historical Association
508.228.6799
For more information: NHA Tours
Nantucket Preservation Trust
508.228.1387
For more information: Nantucket Preservation Trust Walking Tours
The self-guided tours are downloadable and contain lots of interesting historic background so you can explore on your own!
Historic Sites
Nantucket Historical Association
15 Broad Street
508.228.1894
Historic Sites Tours
Includes Oldest House, Old Mill, Quaker Meeting House, Fire Hose-Cart House, Old Gaol
For more information: NHA Historic Sites Tour
Natural History Tours
Great Point Natural History Tour
508.228.6799
Leisurely tours of Nantucket’s outer tip in an over-sand vehicle
For more information: Coskata-Coatue Programs
Lighthouse Tours
Coskota-Coatue Wildlife Refuge
508.228.6799
Great Point Lighthouse Tour
Sunset Lighthouse Tour
For more information: Coskata-Coatue Programs
Sailing Cruises and Tours
Endeavor Sailing
508.228.5585
Harbor Cruise
Pirate Adventure Cruise
Sunset Cruise
Custom Cruise
For more information: Endeavor Sailing
Shearwater Excursions
508.228.7037
Clamming Excursions
Harbor Tours
Ice Cream Cruises
Morning Coffee Cruises
Seal Watching Tours
Sunset Cruises
Up Harbor Eco Tours
Whale Watching Cruises
For more information: shearwaterexcursions.com
Seal Cruises
Shearwater Excursions
508.228.7037
For more information: shearwaterexcursions.com
Surfcasting
Surfcasting Adventures
508.228.6799
For more information: Coskata-Coatue Programs
Whale Cruises
Shearwater Excursions
508.228.7037
For more information: shearwaterexcursions.com
The following organizations offer some of the best and most
informative Nantucket tours. With so many to choose from,
the hard part will be deciding which one to do first!
Coskata-Coatue Tours
Wauwinet Rd Great Point
Phone: 508.228.0006
Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Tours include birding, lighthouse, natual history and adventure tours.
For more information: Coskata-Coatue Tours
Maria Mitchell Walking Tours
Phone: 508.228.9198
info@mariamitchell.org
Tours & Field Trips
For more information: Maria Mitchell Walking Tours
Nantucket Historical Association Tours
15 Broad Street
Phone: 508.228.1894
ask@nha.org
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
For more information: NHA Tours
Nantucket Preservation Trust Tours
Phone: 508.228.1387
Email: info@nantucketpreservation.org
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
For more information: Nantucket Preservation Trust Tou
From Nantucket Tours back to Visit Historic Nantucket
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