Boating in Nantucket

During July and August, Nantucket is the place to study, close-up, some of the world's most splendid yachts—and the well-to-do people who own and sail them. Don't be surprised if you see yachts with piggyback motor launches, automobiles, and helicopters. Most of them spend a few days here, many from a tour that originated in the Mediterranean via the Caribbean. If you don't happen to own a floating palace, you can still hit the water—Nantucket has plenty of boat charters, rentals, and scenic cruises.

Nantucket Boat Rentals (Slip 1, Straight Wharf. 508/325-1001. www.nantucket.net/boating/boatrentals) rents powerboats, for up to 10 passengers; security deposits are required.

Nantucket Community Sailing (4 Winter St. 508/228-6600. www.nantucketcommunitysailing.org) rents Sunfish sailboats, sailboards, and kayaks from Jetties Beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day); it also has youth and adult instructional sailing programs, as well as adaptive water-sport clinics for disabled athletes. NCS's Outrigger Canoe Club—a Polynesian tradition—heads out three evenings a week (depending on interest) in season.

Sea Nantucket (Washington St. Ext., ¼ mi southeast of Commercial Wharf. 508/228-7499) rents kayaks and small sailboats by the hour or half-day at the vest-pocket Francis Street Beach.

The Endeavor (Slip 1015, Straight Wharf. 508/228-5585. www.endeavorsailing.com), a charter replica Friendship sloop, makes four daily 1½-hour trips out to the jetties and into the sound. Private charters and special theme trips for children—"Pirate Adventure" and "Songs and Stories of the Sea"—are available.

Shearwater Excursions (508/228-7037. www.explorenantucket.com) mount various seaborne ecotours aboard a 50-foot power catamaran. One option is a two-hour trip to view Muskeget Island's 2,500 resident gray seals; one-hour lobster cruises to nearby Tuckernuck Island are offered on a flexible schedule out of Madaket. Sunday is for whale-watching 15 to 30 mi southeast of Nantucket; Captain Blair Perkins guarantees a sighting, which means that if no mammals show up, you can go again for free. The Shearwater is also available for private evening charters.