Nantucket Tours

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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.

Ara’s Tours
508.221.6852
Van tours
Passenger pickup
Van stops for pictures
For more info: Ara's Tours

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

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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

Endeavor Sailing
508.228.5585
Harbor Cruise
Pirate Adventure Cruise
Sunset Cruise
Custom Cruise

For more information: Endeavor Sailing

Shearwater Cruises
508.228.7037
Harbor Tour / Ice Cream Cruise
Morning Coffee Cruise
Seal Watching
Sunset Cruise
Whale Watching

For more information: Explore Nantucket

Seal Cruises

Shearwater Cruises
508.228.7037

For more information: Explore Nantucket

Surfcasting

Surfcasting Adventures
508.228.6799

For more information: Coskata-Coatue Programs

Whale Cruises

Shearwater Cruises
508.228.7037

For more information: Explore Nantucket

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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!

From Nantucket Tours back to Visit Historic Nantucket