Discover Nantucket’s maritime past through its water history: from the island’s whaling golden age, when shipyards, tryworks, and tall ships sent Nantucketers around the globe, to the lobster skiffs and schooners that sustained local livelihoods. Learn how shifting sands and powerful storms reshaped harbors and lighthouses—most famously Sankaty Head and Great Point—while innovative harbor engineering preserved vital access for fishing and commerce.

Explore stories of salt marsh ecology and shellfish beds that supported both indigenous Wampanoag communities and colonial settlers, and trace the evolution of navigation technologies that transformed maritime safety. Along the way, you’ll enjoy getting to know Nantucket by the water and all of its charm.