Nantucket Island Information

The earliest inhabitants of Nantucket were Native Americans. In 1659, a group of nine Massachusetts Englishmen purchased the island for 30 pounds and two beaver hats. Their purpose was to raise sheep as well as to find refuge from the religiously intolerant Puritans. In 1672, looking for an additional source of revenue, the islanders recruited whaling men to settle on the island and teach islanders how to capture whales and obtain the oil. Whales were abundant at the time and could be captured close to shore. In 1712, a captain blown off course took the first sperm whale. Since it was larger and its oil far more valuable, the hunting of sperm whales was very profitable. Thus began the era of Nantucket whaling and economic boom for the island.

Although the great fleet of whaling vessels was almost destroyed during the Revolutionary War and again during the War of 1812, Nantucket rebounded from adversity. From 1800-1840 Nantucket was the "Whaling Capital of the World" and was the third largest city in Massachusetts.

By the time of the Civil War, the whaling industry was in serious decline. Not only had the whales been overhunted, but petroleum and other fuels replaced whale oil. After 1850, as the economy declined, the population decreased rapidly and Nantucket was once again isolated. But in true Nantucket fashion, the islanders turned this adversity to their advantage. This very isolation preserved the charm and beauty of Nantucket and tourists eventually discovered "The Far Away Island." Nantucket has more buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places than any other place in Massachusetts and more than 800 houses still standing that were built before the Civil War.

Brant Point Light, built in 1746, is the second oldest lighthouse in America. It guards the harbor's northern entrance. Folklore and tradition suggest that throwing pennies overboard as you round the point insures your return.

In 1784 the General Court of Massachusetts agreed to erect Great Point Light. For the first few years there was no keeper's house at Great Point, so the keepers had to walk or get to the station on horseback, a distance of seven miles. The keeper sometimes traveled by boat to Brant Point to get food and supplies. The first keeper's house at Great Point was destroyed by fire in 1812 and subsequently rebuilt.

Sankaty Head Lighthouse, located on the eastern shore in Siasconset, was built in 1850. Today, it overlooks one of Nantucket's fine golf courses. Partially solar powered, the light is visible 30 miles out to sea.

Nearly 40 percent of Nantucket is protected conservation land. Several areas and habitats, natural groups of plants and animals, are rare to this region and even the world. Walk the sandy beaches, swim in the still, sparkling waters of Nantucket Sound or catch a breeze on a sailboat or a sailboard. Stroll the boutique shops and explore the art galleries and museums. Take a guided tour of the island or rent a bike and discover Nantucket for yourself.

Although a summer destination for many people, an off-season island visit is a special treat. Autumn on Nantucket is glorious, warm enough for swimming right through September. Celebrate the Annual Christmas Stroll the first weekend in December as part of a month-long Nantucket Noel celebration when the island is dressed for an old-fashioned Christmas. Then join us in April for the Annual Daffodil Festival Weekend, when millions of daffodils herald the long-awaited coming of spring.

Suggestion of how to spend your vacation day on Nantucket…

Take the early morning ferry, high-speed or traditional.

Upon arrival, take a narrated island tour, rent a bicycle and explore on your own or hop on the NRTA bus that will take you to your choice of beach.

LUNCH!!!

Stroll and shop Main Street and surrounding area or walk to Children’s Beach or Brant Point Light for some GREAT photo ops.

Return on a late afternoon ferry and be back in Hyannis for dinner.

Nantucket Island Tours

Enjoy a fully narrated delightful historic tour of Nantucket. This tour offers a truly interesting riding tour of America’s most scenic little island. In just over on hour, become acquainted with the “Little Grey Lady,” famous as the world’s foremost whaling port in the 18th century. Our continuous narrated tour covers close to 65% of the island including: The Old Mill, “Sconset” Village with its rose-covered cottages, Low Beach, Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Cranberry bogs and Nantucket moors. Nantucket Island Tours operates May through October; rates for 2008 are $19 per adult and $7 per child. You can reserve your bus tour tickets with your ferry tickets by making reservations through this web site or by calling toll-free 800-492-8082.

Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce

Nantucket Visitor Services

Nantucket Historical Society

Nantucket Regional Transit Authority