Smith’s Point

Smith’s Point is a treat whenever you can get out there. Jutting out into the channel between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island, Smith’s Point alternates between including Esther’s Island, so named when Hurricane Esther in September 1961 cleaved off half of Smith’s Point from the rest of Nantucket. Although we islanders still refer to Esther’s Island as Smith’s Point, this temporary island has separated and reconnected to Nantucket several times over the centuries. Smith’s Point, Nantucket’s westernmost sand extremity is a great hike to see gray seals during the winter, see nesting piping plovers, least terns and American oystercatchers during the summer and catch a glimpse of Tuckernuck Island. There are also amazing sunsets and moon rises to experience while on this hike if you choose our sunset hike option!

This is the second longest hike Nantucket Walkabout does. For the full hike out and back, allow at least two hours of trail time not counting getting to and from the trailhead. The hike can be longer or shorter depending on the group’s time constraints.

We also offer Smith’s Point as a sunset hike. Hike pickup times varies dependent on time of sunset.

Logging your steps and counting the miles.
If you’re counting your steps with a fitness/activity tracker, this hike offers around 8,200 steps and is 4.3 miles in length.

Hiking fees.
This hike costs $70 for adults and $30 for children under 13. Nantucket Walkabout offers a 20-percent military discount to active and retired military personnel, and their spouses. When booking your hike, please enter the promo code, MILITARYDISCOUNT when prompted to do so. If you’re booking a hike with non-military hikers, please book for yourself or, yourself and your spouse in a separate booking from your friends and family. Also, please present your military ID card to our guide at the time of pick up. Check the Hike Calendar to see when we are hiking the Smith’s Point trail and to book it. To arrange for a private hike on this route, call or email us for our rates and to discuss your hiking needs.

Continuing your island discovery!
We encourage you to explore Nantucket on your own! There are more than 15,000 acres open for exploration on land owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Nantucket Islands Land Bank, the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, The Trustees of Reservations and The ’Sconset Trust. After your hike with Nantucket Walkabout, ask your guide for a package of maps from most of these conservation organizations.