Ferry to Nantucket

Compare all available ferry crossings and secure the best deals for your journey. At Openferry, we make it easy to find and book ferry tickets to and from Nantucket in just a few clicks.

Because ferry travel can be seasonal, frequencies and departure times often change throughout the year. We recommend using our live search to see the most accurate schedules and information for your travel dates including:

Popular Connections: The port of Nantucket connects to several high-traffic destinations, including Hyannis - Nantucket.

Top-Tier Operators: Regular services to and from Nantucket are provided by leading carriers like Hy-Line Cruises.

Amenities vary depending on the specific vessel and operator, but most ferries serving Nantucket feature:

Comfortable Seating: Options ranging from standard lounges to premium airplane-style seats.

Dining & Leisure: Onboard cafés and restaurants serving food and drinks.

Travel Essentials: Restroom facilities and, on longer routes, private cabins for added privacy.

Vehicle Transport: Most sailings accommodate cars, motorbikes, and campervans, allowing you to take your own transport to Nantucket.

Nantucket is currently served by 2 ferry routes operated by 1 ferry operators including Hy-Line Cruises.

Traveling to Nantucket primarily involves taking a ferry from mainland Massachusetts, with regular service from Hyannis Port on Cape Cod. The high-speed passenger ferry makes the journey in about an hour, while the traditional ferry carrying vehicles takes around 2-2.5 hours. During summer months, seasonal ferry connections are also available from New York City, Martha's Vineyard, and New Bedford. For those coming from further away, regional flights connect to Hyannis, where shuttle services can transport visitors to the ferry terminal. If arriving by car, numerous parking facilities near the Hyannis ferry terminal offer both short and long-term options.

Nantucket, a crescent-shaped island 30 miles south of Cape Cod, offers a perfect blend of pristine beaches, cobblestone streets, and weathered cedar-shingled buildings. This former whaling capital now serves as a cherished summer retreat with its distinctive New England maritime heritage still intact. Ferry travelers arriving to Nantucket are greeted by the sight of the iconic harbor lined with sailboats, yachts, and the promise of a tranquil island escape.

Nantucket shines brightest from late May through early October, with July and August bringing warm temperatures perfect for beach activities and bustling town energy. June offers milder weather with fewer crowds and the spectacular Nantucket Film Festival, while September delivers warm ocean temperatures and the popular Nantucket Project cultural gathering. The shoulder months of May and October present cooler temperatures but showcase the island's natural beauty with daffodil and cranberry festivals respectively. Ferry service runs year-round but increases in frequency during summer months, with winter crossings occasionally affected by Atlantic weather conditions.

From Nantucket, travelers can hop aboard ferries to explore nearby Martha's Vineyard, just a 45-minute journey away, where rolling hills, colorful gingerbread cottages, and diverse communities await. Cape Cod's Hyannis, the main gateway to the mainland, offers its own charm with Kennedy connections and vibrant harbor life about an hour away by high-speed ferry. During summer months, specialty cruises sometimes run to the Elizabeth Islands, providing glimpses of private Cuttyhunk and Penikese with their untouched natural beauty. The ferry routes crossing Nantucket Sound are particularly scenic, often accompanied by seabirds and occasionally dolphins playing in the wake.

Nantucket packs remarkable experiences into its 14-mile length, starting with Surfside and Cisco beaches, where Atlantic waves create perfect surfing conditions alongside stretches ideal for sunbathing. The Whaling Museum downtown captures the island's rich maritime history through fascinating artifacts and the complete skeleton of a 46-foot sperm whale. Culinary adventures await at waterfront spots like Cru for legendary lobster rolls and Topper's at The Wauwinet for farm-to-table dining with harbor views. Siasconset (locally called 'Sconset) on the eastern shore charms visitors with rose-covered cottages and the scenic Bluff Walk, where grand homes perch dramatically above the Atlantic.

Nantucket earned the nickname 'The Grey Lady of the Sea' due to its frequent foggy conditions and the weathered grey cedar shingles that adorn most island buildings. During the early 19th century, Nantucket was considered the whaling capital of the world, with its fleet of over 150 ships bringing in nearly one-third of American whale oil. The island's iconic cobblestone streets weren't designed for charm but were actually ballast stones from returning whaling ships, repurposed to pave the muddy roads. Nantucket's position as America's only town to successfully negotiate neutrality during the War of 1812 allowed its whaling industry to continue thriving while other ports suffered.