A Nantucket rental — and the town-vs-village decision that shapes the week
Town versus Sconset versus Surfside versus Madaket. The island is small but the four ends feel like four separate summers.
Nantucket is 14 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, and it's a rental market almost entirely — the hotel supply is limited to a handful of small inns in town (the White Elephant, the Wauwinet, the Nantucket Hotel) and everything else is a Vrbo. If you're coming for a week with a group, you're renting a house. Full stop.
The town-vs-village decision is the whole game. Nantucket Town at the ferry harbor is walkable, has the restaurant scene, and puts you in the middle of the island. Sconset (Siasconset) on the east end is quieter, more remote, and where the rose-covered cottages live. Surfside on the south shore is where the family beach houses cluster. Madaket at the far west end is the sunset-and-solitude pick.
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Vrbo rentals in Nantucket
Massachusetts · category picks from Vrbo's own inventory
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Frequently asked
Which part of Nantucket is best for first-time visitors?
Nantucket Town for the walkable-to-everything experience, especially if you don't have a car reservation on the ferry (which is a real logistical issue). Surfside if you're a family — walkable beach, bike path to town, more house per dollar. 'Sconset only if you've been to the island before and want the quieter version. Madaket for a splurge remote week.
When should Nantucket rentals be booked?
July and August peak weeks (Saturday to Saturday) fill 8-12 months out — the premium rentals go by January of the summer year. Late June and early September are the sweet spots (fewer crowds, ocean still warm, prices 20-30% off peak). The Christmas Stroll weekend in early December is a real off-season peak.
Do I need a car on Nantucket?
Not if you stay in town — walking and the town bike-share cover most of the island. If you stay in 'Sconset, Surfside, or Madaket, yes, but bringing a car on the ferry requires a reservation booked months in advance. Many summer visitors rent a car on-island (call ahead — supply is thin) or use the Wave regional bus, which is more reliable than most visitors expect.