75°
Sunny
0%
84
Nantucket County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Madaket Beach
Ames Avenue, Nantucket, MA 02554
The far west end of Nantucket — heavy surf, strong rip currents, and the island's best sunset. Reachable by a 5.5-mile bike path from town; expect few amenities and a small lot that empties fast after sundown.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
74°F water · 75°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph.
Weather
- 75°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 74°F water — swimmable, refreshing
83 /100
great
82 Swim
82 Sunbathe
86 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
75°F
Clear
Wind
9 mph
NE
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
75°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
74°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
4:17 PM
0.2 ft · in 1.0h
Barometer
30.13 inHg
1020 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ232)
The BOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- MAZ022 Barnstable MA — Chatham, Eastham, and Provincetown n/a
- MAZ024 Nantucket MA — Nantucket n/a
- MAZ023 Dukes MA — Edgartown and Aquinnah n/a
- MAZ020 Southern Bristol MA — Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford n/a
- RIZ007 Newport RI — Newport, Middletown, and Little Compton n/a
- RIZ006 Washington RI — Narragansett, Charlestown, and Westerly n/a
- RIZ008 Block Island RI — Block Island n/a
- MAZ019 Eastern Plymouth MA — Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Kingston, n/a
- MAZ015 Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA — Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, n/a
- MAZ007 Eastern Essex MA — Beverly, Gloucester, and Newburyport n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:18 AM
Sunset
8:14 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:26 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 10:53 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 4:17 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 11:04 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:54 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 5:14 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:03 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 6:17 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 12:54 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 6:11 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:03 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 7:10 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 1:50 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 7:08 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:59 AM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 8:02 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 2:43 PM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 8:06 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:54 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 8:52 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 3:34 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 9:04 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:48 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 9:42 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 4:25 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 10:03 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8449130, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
75°
Sunny
0%
81
76°
Sunny
1%
71
80°
Sunny
4%
70
79°
Mostly Sunny
5%
82
78°
Mostly Sunny
8%
81
77°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
18%
77
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 74°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free small lot at the beach entrance; fills around sunset.
Dogs
April 1 – August 31, dogs only permitted in lifeguarded areas before 9 AM and after 5 PM; must be leashed and licensed.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Ames Avenue, Nantucket, MA 02554
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Madaket Beach today?
Madaket Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Madaket Beach dog-friendly?
April 1 – August 31, dogs only permitted in lifeguarded areas before 9 AM and after 5 PM; must be leashed and licensed.
Is there an entry fee at Madaket Beach?
Entry to Madaket Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Madaket Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Madaket Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Madaket Beach?
Amenities at Madaket Beach include lifeguards.
When is the water warmest at Madaket Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Madaket Beach located?
Madaket Beach is in Nantucket County, MA, at Ames Avenue, Nantucket, MA 02554.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS