74°
Partly Sunny
1%
66
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 73°F water · 74°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind around 14 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
Weather
- 74°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 2:58pm edt until september 10 at 8:00pm edt by nws boston/norton ma
66 /100
good
52 Swim
78 Sunbathe
84 Walk
79 Photo
Best for walking today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 2:58PM EDT until September 10 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 7 feet expected. * WHERE...In Massachusetts coastal waters, Coastal waters east of Ipswich Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Coastal waters from Provincetown MA to Chatham MA to Nantucket MA out 20 NM and Coastal Waters extending out to 25 NM South of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. In Rhode Island coastal waters, Coastal Waters from Montauk NY to Marthas Vineyard extending out to 20 NM South of Block Island. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
74°F
Clear
Wind
14 mph
S
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
6 High
High 12 PM–01 PM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
75°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:42 PM
3.9 ft · in 4.4h
Wave Height
2.3 ft
3s · SSW swell
Barometer
30.19 inHg
Falling 1.4 hPa / 3h · buoy 44020
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
6:15 AM
Sunset
7:01 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
75°
Mostly Sunny
11%
65
72°
Sunny
0%
79
70°
Sunny
0%
78
73°
Chance Rain Showers
51%
51
72°
Mostly Sunny
11%
77
71°
Mostly Sunny
1%
76
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°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