Nantucket Beach Driving Permits: Everything You Need to Know

Two permits. Two different systems. One important distinction that trips up a lot of visitors every summer.

Driving on Nantucket’s beaches is an island experience that’s hard to replicate— a cooler in the back, fishing rods stacked overhead, and miles of open shoreline. Getting there requires a permit, and which permit you need depends entirely on where you’re going.

The most common mistake visitors make: assuming one permit covers everything. It doesn’t. The Town and Great Point are two separate systems.

This guide cuts through the confusion so you can plan, get permitted, and spend your time on the sand instead of troubleshooting.

Town Permit vs. Great Point Permit: The Quick Version

Town of Nantucket Beach Vehicle Permit:

The Town permit gives you access to designated beach-driving areas across several Town beaches – but only where conditions, postings, and seasonal rules allow. Access can and does change day to day.
Where You Can Drive: The Town’s permit covers vehicle access at: 40th Pole, Eel Point, Nobadeer Beach, Smith’s Point, Cathcart Beach, and Low Beach. Always check posted conditions before heading out – sections close without much notice.

What It Costs

• Nantucket-registered vehicle: $50 if purchased by May 31 · $100 on or after June 1
• Off-island registered vehicle: $100 if purchased by June 30 · $150 on or after July 1

The permit runs from January 1 – December 31, if you’re visiting in summer, buy early.

What You’ll Need

Required gear – have these in the vehicle before you hit the sand:

• 4-wheel drive vehicle, properly registered, licensed driver
• Shovel, jack + jack board, spare tire, tire pressure gauge
• Tires aired down to 12–15 PSI before driving on sand

Recommended to bring:

• Tow rope, phone, trash bags

Rules Worth Knowing

• Stay off dunes and beach grass — do not create new access points
• Do not park below the high-water mark
• Observe posted speed limits; slow to a crawl near pedestrians
• Violations can result in permit revocation and fines

How to Get It

• Online: Via the Town’s official permit page
• In person: Public Safety Facility, 4 Fairgrounds Road – Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring your vehicle registration.

Great Point / Coskata-Coatue: The Trustees OSV Permit

Great Point is not a Town beach. The entire Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge — including Great Point — is privately managed by The Trustees of Reservations. The Town beach sticker gets you nowhere near it.

Great Point is one of the most spectacular stretches of open shoreline on the East Coast. It’s also the most strictly managed. Plan accordingly.

What the Permit Allows:  A Trustees OSV permit authorizes driving within the Coskata-Coatue refuge – subject to daily conditions, environmental restrictions, and closures for nesting shorebirds. A permit does not guarantee access on any given day.

Rules That Catch Visitors Off Guard

• True 4×4 required – AWD is not sufficient. This is explicitly stated in Trustees FAQs and enforced at the gatehouse.
• No dogs April 1 through September 15 — including dogs left in your vehicle.
• Hours: 9:00 AM to sunset, with limited exceptions for surfcasters.
• Access can close at any time due to erosion or protected species activity.

Permit Types

• Private Vehicle Day Pass – for single-day access
• Seasonal OSV Permit – includes a complimentary Family-level Trustees Membership
• Rental Vehicle Day Pass – requires that the rental vehicle already has the OSV permit sticker affixed

Where to Pick Up Your Permit:  The Wauwinet Gatehouse opens each May for OSV permit distribution. For seasonal permits, you must bring your registered 4×4 so the sticker can be affixed on-site. Purchase and details

Check Conditions Before You Go

• Text alerts: Text CCWRTTOR to (888) 313-1761
• Recorded conditions: Call 508-228-5646, press 2

Quick Checklists

Town Beaches

• Town beach sticker purchased (online or at Public Safety Facility)
• 4WD vehicle + vehicle registration + licensed driver
• Required gear: shovel, jack + board, spare tire, tire gauge
• Tires aired down to 12-15 PSI
• Town beach driving conditions checked before departure

Great Point / Coskata-Coatue

• Trustees OSV permit or day pass in hand
• True 4×4 – not AWD
• No dogs if traveling April 1 through September 15
• Conditions checked via text or recorded line

Official Resources

• Town Beach Vehicle Permits
• Town Beach Driving Map + Rules
• Town Beaches (closures + conditions)
• Trustees OSV Permits
• Trustees Coskata-Coatue FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we hear most often from visitors and rental guests planning a beach driving day on Nantucket.

Does the Town beach sticker cover Great Point?

No. Great Point requires a separate permit through The Trustees of Reservations. The two systems are entirely independent of each other.

My SUV has all-wheel drive. Can I use it at Great Point?

No. The Trustees require a 4-wheel drive vehicle – not AWD. Many crossovers and SUVs that market themselves as “all-wheel drive” do not qualify. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle meets the standard, check with The Trustees before purchasing a permit.

Can I walk to Great Point for free?

Yes. The Town notes there is no fee to walk onto Great Point. The permit requirement applies to vehicles only.

Does having a permit guarantee beach access?

No. Both the Town and The Trustees are clear on this: access can be restricted at any time due to erosion, nesting shorebirds, overcrowding, or changing conditions. Always check current status before you head out.

Can I bring my dog to the beach in summer?

At Great Point and Coskata-Coatue, no dogs are allowed from April 1 through September 15 – including in your vehicle. Town beach rules vary by location and season. Check posted rules for the specific beach before bringing a pet.

What happens if I get stuck in the sand?

It happens. That’s why the required gear list includes a shovel, jack, jack board, and spare tire. Airing down your tires before driving on sand (12-15 PSI) reduces the risk. If you get stuck, do not spin your tires – you’ll dig deeper. A tow rope and a neighboring driver can resolve most situations quickly.

I’m renting a vehicle on-island. Can I still get a Great Point permit?

Yes, but the rental vehicle must already have the Trustees OSV permit sticker affixed – it cannot be added after the fact. Ask your rental company specifically about OSV-permitted vehicles before booking.

How do I know if the beach is open on a specific day?

For Great Point, text CCWRTTOR to (888) 313-1761 for automatic updates, or call 508-228-5646 and press 2 for a recorded conditions report. For Town beaches, check the Town’s beach driving conditions page.

For more Nantucket stories visit our blog at Fisher Real Eastate.