Reviewed · NANTUCKET TOURS
Private Nantucket Beach Fishing Activity with a Guide
Nantucket’s beaches look different when you reach them with a fishing rod in hand and a local guide at the wheel. Steve Tuna takes you along the island’s coast, from Great Point toward the south-shore beaches, with time to fish for striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito.
I like two things in particular: the fishing gear is included, so you do not need to arrive outfitted, and the private format gives your group room to set the pace. Steve also adds island stories and local context, making this more than a lesson in casting.
One consideration: this is a beach outing, not a guaranteed catch. You’ll need moderate physical fitness, and the trip depends on good weather. If your main goal is a sure thing in the cooler, this may not be the right activity.
At a glance

- Ride to Nantucket’s coast: The outing includes beach locations such as Great Point, Nobadeer, and Cisco Beach.
- Fish with local guide Steve Tuna: He can teach techniques to beginners and share stories about the island.
- Use the supplied fishing gear: You can get started without bringing your own equipment.
- Book for a small private group: Only your party takes part, with a maximum of four people.
- Choose your pace: You can fish hard or take a more relaxed beach day, depending on your group.
- Plan around the conditions: The activity requires good weather and calls for moderate physical fitness.
Fishing Nantucket’s shore with Steve Tuna

The best part of this outing is the change of perspective. Nantucket is famous for beaches, but a fishing trip gives you a reason to explore them beyond the usual beach visit. You get time on the coast, a guide who knows the island, and a practical activity that turns a scenic stop into a place to learn and cast.
Steve Tuna leads the trip. He is an avid fisherman who takes groups to coastal spots many island visitors do not see. The fishing targets include striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito. Fish are never guaranteed, of course, but the range of species gives the outing a clear purpose beyond simply riding around the shoreline.
You do not need to be an experienced angler. Steve can teach basic techniques, and gear is included, so the activity is open to beginners as well as people who already fish. If you are going with a family member who loves fishing, that mix can work especially well: the keen angler gets time to fish, while a beginner has someone on hand to explain how to get started.
The private format also matters. This is for your group alone, with a limit of four people. That gives you more room to ask questions, pause when you want, and set a pace that suits your party. It is a better fit for a family or a few friends than for someone hoping to meet a larger group of fellow anglers.
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Great Point, Nobadeer, and Cisco Beach

The planned stops include Great Point Light, Nobadeer, and Cisco Beach. Each adds a different stretch of Nantucket’s coast to the day, and the outing’s appeal comes partly from seeing more than one beach rather than settling in at a single spot.
Great Point is the northern stop, at the entrance to the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. The meeting point is the refuge gatehouse on Wauwinet Road, so the outing begins in this part of the island. Great Point Light gives the stop a recognizable landmark, while the surrounding coastline offers a striking change from town streets and familiar beach access points.
The route to Great Point is part of the appeal. One participant described driving on the beach as a unique part of the day. That is a useful detail if you are looking for more than a stationary fishing lesson. The trip combines getting to the shore with time spent fishing there, though you should not assume that every stretch of beach or stop will be exactly the same on every outing.
Nobadeer and Cisco Beach add south-shore stops to the itinerary. These names give you a sense of the range of coast you may cover, from the northern end near Great Point to beaches on the south side. The specific order and time at each location are not detailed, so ask Steve about the day’s plan if you have a particular stop in mind.
The beach setting is appealing, but it does mean conditions matter. Weather can affect whether the outing goes ahead, and the shore is not a controlled setting like an indoor lesson. You will be outside, moving between coastal spots and fishing from the beach. Bring a flexible attitude: a good day here is about the coast, the company, and the chance to fish, not a promise that the fish will cooperate.
A good fit for beginners and keen anglers
This outing works best when your group has at least some interest in fishing. A first-timer can learn from Steve, while a more experienced angler can spend the day trying for the species the trip targets. The private setup makes it easier to balance those different levels without asking strangers to wait around.
Families can also find a nice middle ground here. A 14-year-old fishing enthusiast has enjoyed the trip, and the guide’s warm, accommodating manner has helped make it fun for the whole family. Steve’s island stories add another layer for anyone who is less focused on the rod. You can be interested in Nantucket’s coast and local character even if you are not counting every cast.
The outing is not limited to people who want to fish at full throttle. The choice is yours: get up early and fish hard, or take a slower day at the beach. That flexibility is valuable if your group includes different energy levels or if you want the outing to feel like a coastal day out rather than a strict lesson.
Still, this is not a passive sightseeing ride. The stated fitness requirement is moderate. You should be comfortable with an active outdoor outing, and you should expect to spend time at the beach rather than only looking out from a vehicle. If anyone in your group has mobility or stamina concerns, check directly before booking; the available details do not spell out access conditions at each beach.
What four private hours are worth
The activity lasts about four hours. That is enough time to visit several coastal spots and fish without committing your whole day. It can also be a practical way to make a short Nantucket stay feel more local: rather than spend the morning repeating a standard beach visit, you get a guide, a fishing focus, and access to places chosen for the day.
No price is provided here, so I cannot judge whether the exact fare is a bargain. The value question is easier to assess by looking at what is included: a private outing for up to four people, fishing gear, a local guide, and transportation between coastal fishing spots as part of the experience. For a group of four, the cost may compare differently per person than it would for a solo booking, so check the total price and how it applies to your party before you reserve.
Pickup may be arranged from specific hotels, while the stated meeting point is the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge gatehouse at 107 Wauwinet Road. Confirm any pickup details when booking rather than assuming it is available from every address. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
The listed operating hours run Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the stated season dates. That early start is worth considering if you want to make the most of the day, but do not assume you must fish at dawn: the available schedule covers a broad time window. Confirm the departure time that works for your booking.
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What to bring and what to expect
Fishing gear is provided, which removes one of the bigger hurdles for visitors who do not travel with rods and tackle. The details do not specify what clothing or personal items are supplied, so plan for an outdoor day and ask Steve what he recommends for the conditions and time of year.
Keep your expectations broad. Steve can show you techniques, take you to several beach locations, and help you try for the fish found along Nantucket’s coast. He cannot control the weather or promise a catch. That is part of the bargain with surf fishing: conditions and luck are part of the day, and the coast itself is a large share of the reward.
I would also think about the group’s mix of interests before booking. If everyone is eager to fish, the four hours should feel well used. If some people only want a short scenic drive and others hope to fish continuously, talk through the pace in advance. The trip is private, which makes flexibility possible, but it is still built around beach fishing.
The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can be offered another date or a full refund.
Should you book Steve Tuna’s beach fishing trip?

Book it if you want an active way to see Nantucket’s coast, like the idea of learning from a local fisherman, or have a beginner and an experienced angler in the same group. The combination of included gear, a private group, several beach stops, and Steve’s island stories gives the outing more range than a basic fishing lesson.
Think twice if you need a guaranteed catch, prefer a fully predictable schedule, or do not want to spend time outdoors. Weather can change the plan, and moderate fitness is expected. For the right group, though, this is a personal, hands-on way to get beyond the familiar beach day and see Nantucket from the water’s edge.
FAQ
How long is the fishing activity?
It lasts about four hours.
How many people can join?
The activity is private and can accommodate up to four people.
Is fishing gear included?
Yes. Fishing gear is included, and the guide can teach techniques to beginners.
Which beaches are included?
The planned stops are Great Point Light, Nobadeer, and Cisco Beach.
Where does the activity begin and end?
The meeting point is the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge gatehouse at 107 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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