Pet-Friendly Nantucket Is Ready For Your Summer Vacation

Are you contemplating traveling to Nantucket with your dog?

Well, this New England Island is most certainly a dog-friendly destination. It has endless beaches, which are open to dogs at certain hours, and various venues that welcome dogs. There are sailing tours, hiking trails, and restaurant patios that are open for canines.

There are also many local residences that are available for guests with pets, which you can book for your stay in Nantucket.

Read on to find out more about planning your summer vacation with your dog in Nantucket.

Getting to Nantucket with your dog

Dogs can travel to Nantucket via the Steamship Authority or the Hy-Line Cruises ferries for free. The only exception is the Captain’s View on the Gray Lady IV high-speed ferry.

Keep in mind that pups need to be leashed or caged during the ferry trip.

If you prefer to fly in with your dog, it will cost you about $30 with a Cape Air flight from Boston or Hyannis. But since only one pet is allowed per flight, make sure to arrange it as early as possible.

On the island, you can rent a car, Jeep, or a bike with a dog-friendly trailer for your pup. If you prefer public transport, then you will be relieved to know that the local The Wave bus shuttle service is pet-friendly too.

The dog park in Nantucket

Thanks to the Nantucket land Bank, the island has its own first dog park since December 2021.

The fenced-in dog park is located at 5 Miacomet Road and consists of a 26,620 square foot area for small dogs and a 41,200 square foot area for large dogs. There is also a convenient parking lot.

This is the place to allow your pup to run, exercise, and socialize safely with others off-leash.

Pet-friendly beaches and venues

Dogs are permitted on many of the beaches on the island. But keep in mind that during the high season, you can go to the beach with your pup only before 9 am and after 5 pm.

Neither dogs nor humans are allowed in dune vegetation, marsh grasses, protected wildlife areas, and other fenced-off spaces.

Some of the dog-friendly beaches in Nantucket include Jetties Beach, Madaket Beach, Surfside Beach, Siasconset Beach, Miacomet Beach, Cisco Beach, Children’s Beach, Nobadeer Beach, Brant Point Beach, Monomoy Beach, Francis Street Beach and the Coskata-Coatue wildlife refuge.

Other dog-friendly sites on the island include Cisco Brewers, Tupancy Links, Sanford Farm, Altar Rock, Masquetuck Trail, Milestone Cranberry Bogs, Endeavor Sailing Excursions, Gardner farm, Squam Farm, Young’s Bicycle Shop, The Wave transit authority, The Black Dog General Store and more.

Dog walks

Here are some of the best places in Nantucket to walk or hike with your pup.

Masquetuck Trail

It is a short trail, but with some stunning views of the West Polpis Harbor. There are several paths you can explore without worrying about getting lost. The tracks go through boardwalks and through forests.

You can reach the Polpis Harbor shore. When the tide is low, you can even take a walk on the shore. Or you can stay on the trail to enjoy the stunning view of the harbor.

Sanford Farm

This is a walking area that is very popular among runners, walkers, cyclists, and dog walkers. It is preferred for its marked trails and its spectacular ocean and panoramic views.

When walking through Sanford Farm, you can spot different wildlife such as turtles, osprey, hawks, and others.

The farm has a lot of wide-open fields and paths suitable for high-energy pups that need a lot of exercises and running.

There is also a trail where you can ride your bike with your dog running alongside you.

Keep in mind that during some summers, the local Hummock Pond has had issues with toxic algae, which are dangerous for dogs, so don’t let your pup drink from the pond.

There are no public restrooms or water fountains on the Sanford Farm trail.

Tupancy Links

This is another area that is suitable for walking your dog in Nantucket. Tupancy Links used to be a golf club, but today is a walking area with 1.5 miles of marked trails where you can walk your dog or play fetch with it.

Since the cliff area is dangerously steep, you should keep your dog on a leash if you decide to reach the cliffs.

Of course, you are reminded to clean up after your pet at all times.

Squam Farm

This is a 1.5 mile marked loop trail that passes by sheep pastures and beautiful mowed grassy fields.

The trail passes through some forests, on top of boardwalks passing over boggy streams, and more.

The problem with this walk is that in late summer, the mosquitoes there can be overwhelming.

Please note that dogs may need to be leashed at all times during this walk because of the nearby sheep pastures.

Milestone Cranberry Bogs

You and your pup can enjoy walking through the Milestone Cranberry Bogs, where there are some dirt paths among the wide-open mown grass fields. It is a perfect place to play fetch and let your dog run and play.

Keep in mind that the bogs are closed for visitors and dogs at certain times due to the application of pesticides or flooding performed for the harvesting.

Also, since there are some deer in the area, you should keep your dog on a leash if it tends to chase deer or other large animals.

Altar Rock

This walking path is really a road, so you should keep your pup on a leash for safety reasons at all times. It is a popular walk among runners, bikers, and dog walkers.

The walk passes through hills and woods. There is a signal beacon that will help you stay oriented and lead your way in case you get lost.

The path will lead you to Altar Rock, one of Nantucket’s highest points. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lighthouses, harbor, ocean, and almost the entire island.