Coskata (Nantucket Island)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Coskata (Nantucket Island) is a remote, wilderness-style barrier beach at the northeast tip of Nantucket known for powerful, Atlantic-exposed conditions and access constraints. Riders typically plan the trip around a 4x4 vehicle route and an oversand/OSV permit, with strict refuge rules and seasonal nature-conservation closures. For wind sports, wind direction and timing are a key part of why riders come here: the best months run from May through September, with winds strongest when a sea-breeze pattern is active. One dataset also suggests typical wind speeds in the neighborhood of roughly 12–25 knots and light gusting behavior. The wind experience can be distinctly different depending on where you ride—flat-to-choppy water conditions are available inside Coskata Pond, while the ocean side brings more wave energy. Safety is the defining factor. Strong currents around Great Point can create major downwind drift hazards, and the area is isolated with no rescue services reported for the spot. Sharks (including great white sharks) have been flagged as a possible hazard, alongside vehicle/terrain risks from off-road access and seasonal bird-nesting restrictions that can affect where you’re allowed to enter and ride. Because there are no services on-site, self-sufficiency is essential: bring water and supplies, plan your recovery strategy, and follow refuge rules such as tire deflation before entering the sand and respect for seasonal enclosures/closures. For surfing, the ocean-facing beach-break can become more appealing with south or southeast swell, but it is described as exposed and can turn heavy and disorganized when swell builds.
- Remote wilderness beach with 4x4 + OSV permit access requirements
- May–September wind window with N to S/SSE directionality noted
- Dual-experience: flat-to-choppy pond riding and more energetic ocean exposure
- Strong currents around Great Point create serious downwind drift risk
- Big, sandy beach with ample space for setup
- Clean water and a mix of flat/choppy conditions inside the pond with ocean exposure outside
- Consistent strong wind opportunities in late spring through early fall
- Multiple wind-sports disciplines supported (kitesurfing, plus potential for other boards)
- Extremely strong currents around Great Point with significant downwind drift risk
- Remote location with no rescue services and limited emergency options on-site
- Advanced/experienced-rider expectations due to conditions and access constraints
- Seasonal refuge rules and bird-nesting closures may restrict access
- No services at the spot—must be self-sufficient
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, SE, SSE, S
- Offshore directions
- N, SSE, S
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea breezes during late spring/summer.
- Reliability
- Good in spring and fall; summer relies more on thermal/sea-breeze effects.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — One dataset notes small to medium waves; another describes medium waves.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is expected; pond and ocean sides can differ.
- Launch
- Medium — Expansive sandy beaches with flat sections for rigging/setup, though vehicle access is limited by refuge rules/closures.
Through the year
Peak activity in July and August; very quiet in winter.
Late summer and fall can be affected by Atlantic tropical systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, flat-to-choppy water inside Coskata Pond and more powerful Atlantic/wave conditions on the ocean side. The spot is remote and generally treated as advanced due to strong currents and lack of on-site rescue.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–14 m²
Ocean-side wave sailing and long-distance cruising are possible, but logistics require 4x4 access and careful planning.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Foiling is possible, including inside Coskata Pond, but water depth can limit riders during low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.0m inside the pond; deeper on the ocean side.
- Wing Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Ocean-facing side can produce quality waves during south or southeast swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with light north or northwest winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized with significant swell.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast beach break peaks with relatively short rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides at beach-break peaks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Coskata (Nantucket Island) in the full forecast view.
Coskata (Nantucket Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–21 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NNW338°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2721 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 9–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Coskata (Nantucket Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.5–1.8 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Extremely strong currents around Great Point (significant downwind drift hazard)
- Remote/isolated area with no rescue services
- Sharks possible (including great white sharks)
- Off-road vehicle traffic and vehicle navigation hazards
- Seasonal bird nesting closures (including piping plovers) with restricted access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue services reported for this location.
- Emergency Info
- If needed, call 911; Nantucket Cottage Hospital is the nearest medical facility.
Rules of the spot
Refuge access rules are enforced by The Trustees of Reservations; refuge is open daily from 9AM to sunset (active surfcasters excepted unless conditions prevent access). Oversand access requires an OSV permit for vehicles; summer car sticker requirements may apply. Speed limit 15 MPH. Tire deflation required (commonly to 12–15 PSI). Respect seasonal bird-nesting closures and enclosures.
- Oversand permit required for vehicles year-round
- 4x4 vehicle required
- Dogs prohibited April 1–September 15 (and must be on leash in specific areas per seasonal rules)
- Swimming prohibited from Marker 5 north
- Vehicle access may be affected by seasonal closures
- Use a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance and bring a recovery kit.
- Deflate tires to about 12–15 PSI before entering the sand.
- Check for beach/refuge closures before driving out.
- Bring all water and supplies; there are no services at the spot.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Nantucket
- Nearest Town
- Nantucket
- Parking
- Informal roadside parking; permitted OSV parking along the beach with no formal parking lots reported within the refuge.
- Access
- From Nantucket drive east to Polpis, then north to Wauwinet. Continue further north to Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge with a 4x4; oversand/OSV permit required. Tire deflation commonly required before entering the sand. Informal roadside parking; no designated lot reported within the refuge.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Inns and rentals are available in Wauwinet and Nantucket town.
- Food & Drink
- No services available at the spot; bring all water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in Nantucket town (not reported at the spot itself).
- Gear Storage
- None reported at the beach/spot.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Coskata (Nantucket Island)?
The best overall months at Coskata (Nantucket Island) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Coskata (Nantucket Island)?
Coskata (Nantucket Island) works with N, SE, SSE, S winds. Offshore directions are N, SSE, S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Coskata (Nantucket Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Coskata (Nantucket Island): Kitesurfing: 7–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4.5–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Coskata (Nantucket Island) suitable for?
Coskata (Nantucket Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.