Nantucket By Water – Your Ticket to a Unique and Memorable Nantucket Experience

The Silicon Review

Mainstream cruising is all very well, but if you have an adventurous spirit and a determination to see the world up close, then cocktail-and-casino cruising to Brisbane or Barcelona just won’t cut it. Forget the mega-ship, and turn to a small ship cruise with Peregrine Adventures, which carries a maximum of 50 travellers.

Looking for an extraordinary way to explore Nantucket? Nantucket By Water has just what you need! Founded in 1999, Nantucket By Water is a local family-run eco-tour company dedicated to providing unique tours to individuals and families of all age groups. From small kids to grandparents, it has trips that cater to your needs and taste for adventure. Whether you take a short, leisurely tour around Nantucket Harbor, or a longer adventure exploring the wildlife sanctuary of Couture or visiting the unique 5th Bend Oyster Farm, the firm promises you an exceptional experience.

Celebrating 25 years servicing the Nantucket community and visitors!

Nantucket By Water has been in business for 25 years! They love serving the local Nantucket community and showing visitors of the island the beauty and history of Nantucket life. Their tours and cruises provide a one-of-a-kind way to experience the natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture of Nantucket, and they have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of so many of their guests’ unforgettable memories. They look forward to continuing to provide exceptional service for many years to come!

Experience the best of Nantucket

Nantucket By Water offers a wide range of tours and cruises designed to meet the unique needs and interests of their customers. From leisurely harbor tours to cocktail cruises around the harbor and visits to the 5th Bend Oyster Farm, they offer a variety of experiences that anyone can enjoy!

Their tours are perfect for families with children, groups of friends, or couples looking for a romantic getaway. If you're interested in something a little different from what you see on their website, they can also customize an experience catered exactly to your preferences. The smaller ships used on their selectively chosen adventure cruises have a smaller carbon footprint than mega commercial cruise ships. They emit less CO₂, they don’t damage coral reefs with their anchors nor do they carelessly dump sewage in the wrong places as they way larger ships might. In addition, small-ship cruises are more about the local destinations than the voyage. They provide greater benefit to local communities by encouraging guests to purchase items from locals such as crafts, food and beverages.

Watch for whales with shearwater excursions

Shearwater offers plenty of tours, but its whale-watching excursion is the flagship trip. The six-hour adventure on a 47-foot catamaran leaves from the Town Pier. You'll head out to look for humpback, finback, and minke whales, accompanied by a naturalist who will talk about the island, whales, and wildlife. The family-owned-and-operated business started in 1999 and is named for owner Captain Blair Perkins's favorite bird, the shearwater. Another whale-focused excursion is the Whaling History Tour, where you'll see landmarks from the Nantucket whaling era and learn about life aboard the whaleship Essex, featured in the film In the Heart of the Sea by Nantucket author Nathaniel Philbrick.

Water Activities on Nantucket

Kiteboarding: Flat, waist-deep water, consistent breeze, and the best coaches with the best equipment make Nantucket the ultimate place for learning and developing your kiteboarding skills. If you’re looking for kiteboarding lessons near you, they're your solution!

Wakeboarding & Tubing: Nantucket Harbor offers ideal wakeboarding conditions in any wind direction, making it the perfect spot to learn to wakeboard. Get your family or group out on the ultimate boat tour of the island while you learn to rip!

Efoiling: Nantucket is an eFoiler's paradise with sheltered areas for learning combined with hidden bays for touring. Learn more about what makes eFoiling a sensation unlike any other.

Hydrofoiling: Flat waters on the inside and waves on the south shore make for a never-ending playground on a foil. Learning to hydrofoil on Nantucket is easier than ever and allows us to teach the full suite of hydrofoiling skills.

Winging Nantucket: Nantucket is always cause for a celebration, and where better to do so than the water? With Group Packages, Sunset Cruises, on the historic harbor, and Custom Events, you'll be sure to have a one-of-a-kind gathering. Weekly lessons where your kids will learn to master skills needed for kiteboarding, wakeboarding, and foiling.

Rachael Perkins | Owner & coordinator

Rachael Perkins, founder of Nantucket By Water, is the “hard drive” of the business and handles everything from reservations for all the varied excursions to event planning to being a personal concierge. From May through October, she can be found under the big blue umbrella on Straight Wharf, greeting customers and answering questions.