11 Nantucket Tours for a Spare Boston Afternoon

1.Historical Tour of Nantucket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 108 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57Our pick

Take a 90-minute van or bus tour from downtown Nantucket to island sights including the Old Mill, Quaker burial ground, and Sankaty Head Lighthouse. Your guide shares local history and stories, with a short photo stop at the lighthouse. Groups are capped at 14, and guide styles vary: Jason, Jared, Ronald, and Patricia are among the names you may hear.

“Great tour. We learned a lot about Nantucket. Our tour guide was high energy and very informative. Glad we took it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Historical Landmarks Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 67 reviews · 1h 30m · from $53

Barrett’s Tours takes you around Nantucket in a small-group van or bus for 90 minutes, with a live English-speaking guide and photo stops at sights such as Sankaty Lighthouse, Siasconset and the Old Mill. Guides including Jason, Ronald and Wilbur, also called Mr. T, bring island history to life. Confirm your pickup location on tour day.

“Mr T our guide and driver was knowledgeable and hilariously funny. We had a great time exploring Nantucket and learning about the history of the Island from Wilbur T. Great tour. Thank you from MV the other Island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Nantucket Beach Fishing Activity with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) Top rated

Join Nantucket guide Steve Tuna for a private, four-hour beach fishing outing for up to four people. He supplies fishing gear and takes you to coastal spots that may include Great Point, Nobadeer, and Cisco Beach. You can learn basic fishing techniques, try for species such as striped bass and bluefish, and set a brisk pace or take the day more slowly.

“Steve was fabulous. It was beautiful and driving on the beach was unique. We had a blast and will do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Guided Scenic Island Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 2h 30m · from $160

Take a 150-minute guided drive around Nantucket, from the natural cranberry bogs and Sconset Village to Sankaty Lighthouse, Low Beach, and the Old Mill. Your guide connects the scenery with Wampanoag history, whaling, and the island’s modern life. Pickup is available at downtown hotels, rental accommodations, and ferry terminals. Hugh has led recent tours, though your guide may vary.

“Guide had a wealth of information regarding Nantucket sites and its history. Very interesting and fun tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Beyond the Cobblestones Self Guided Walking Tour of Nantucket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $9Best value

This self-guided, English-language audio tour leads you on a mostly flat, two-mile walk through central Nantucket. Hear stories at the Whaling Museum, Straight Wharf, Old South Wharf, Hadwen House, and other historic sites. Take breaks and resume when you like, but download the app and tour before setting out.

“If you are considering visiting the Whaling Museum it is good to purchase your admission ticket ahead of the tour. The pass is good all day with free readmission. Included with the Museum pass are free passes to some sites on the tour and other historical sites not included in the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2h 30m · from $160

Start at The Nantucket Hotel with an introduction to Wampanoag history, European settlement, and the whaling era, then ride to Brandt Point Lighthouse, beaches, historic sites, and Main Street. A local guide, including Hugh on several recent tours, leads the 150-minute outing. Bike and helmet are included.

“One of the highlights of our trip to Nantucket. Gerald not only gave us the most scenic way to see all of the best parts of Nantucket but also shared his expert insights on history of Nantucket”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Discover Nantucket Self-Guided Biking or Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $12

This three-hour self-guided tour uses the Drives and Detours app to lead you across Nantucket, from Madaket to Sconset. Follow the route by bike or car, with stops and stories tied to the Atheneum, Hadwen House, Straight Wharf, historic homes, lighthouses, beaches, and the island’s past. Bring your own transport and a charged phone; admission fees are extra.

“It was a little slow to download but we enjoyed it and had a great time! We found the map/route view helpful for staying on course.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Nutty Nantucket Scavenger Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from the Nantucket Atheneum for a two-hour, self-guided scavenger hunt with a live remote host who sends clues and responds by text. Visit checkpoints including Children’s Beach and Quidley & Company, solve creative tasks, and send photos to earn points. You’ll need a charged smartphone with data and messaging; no guide meets you in person.

“We loved running around Nantucket trying to complete the 300k and 600k points. It was so much fun meeting new people and laughing with my friends over this experience. Would recommend to anyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Beyond the Cobblestones Self Guided Audio Tour of Nantucket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $9

This private, self-guided audio walk starts outside the Whaling Museum and takes about two hours over a relatively flat, 2-mile route. Use the app to hear about Straight Wharf, the Atheneum, historic homes, Maria Mitchell, and Nantucket’s shift from whaling port to tourist destination. Pause or restart when you like. Bring a charged phone and headphones.

“Our Nantucket walking tour marched us all over the town telling us where to shop, eat, get coffee or a beer. Just an advertising device for local businesses. We turned it off and went to the Whaling Museum.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Downtown Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $120

Walk Nantucket’s downtown historic district with guide Hugh, exploring Wampanoag history, European settlement, whaling, island architecture, and the shift from decline to tourism. The tour lasts about two hours, sometimes up to two and a half, and starts in downtown Nantucket. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

“Hugh was an excellent guide. Very interesting tour, covering lots of history about Nantucket. Though it was a walking tour, the pace was slow enough to enjoy sights along the way and to ask questions. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Nantucket Coast to Coast Self-Guided Biking or Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · 3 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $12

This self-guided Nantucket tour uses GPS-triggered audio and an in-app map to lead you from Broad Street across the island by bike or car. Stop at the oldest house, Madaket Beach, Sconset, Sankaty Head Lighthouse, and more. Download the tour ahead of time; bring your own bike or vehicle. Museum admissions cost extra.

“Overall loved the tour and would recommend! Great way to explore the island. The only issue is the navigations. When we made a wrong turn we lost track of the audio and kept having to restart.”

Check availability →Read our full review