Active Pursuits

Bicycling

Several lovely, paved bike paths radiate from the center of town to outlying beaches. The bike paths run about 6 1/4 miles west to Madaket, 3 1/2 miles south to Surfside, and 8 1/4 miles east to Siasconset. To avoid backtracking from Siasconset, continue north through the charming village and return on the Polpis Road bike path. Strong riders could do a whole circuit of the island in a day. Picnic benches and water fountains stand at strategic points along all the paths.

For a free map of the island's bike paths (it also lists Nantucket's bicycle rules), stop by Young's Bicycle Shop, at Steamboat Wharf (tel. 508/228-1151). It's definitely the best place for bike rentals, from basic three-speeds to high-tech suspension models. In operation since 1931 -- check out the vintage vehicles on display -- they also deliver to your door.

Fishing

For shellfishing, you'll need a permit from the harbormaster's office at 34 Washington St. (tel. 508/228-7261). You'll see surf-casters all over the island (no permit is required); for a guided trip, try Mike Monte of Surf & Fly Fishing Trips (tel. 508/228-0529), who charges $140 per person for a 3-hour guided trip in the early fall. Deep-sea charters heading out of Straight Wharf include Capt. Bob DeCosta's The Albacore (tel. 508/228-5074), Capt. Josh Eldridge's Monomoy (tel. 508/228-6867), and Capt. David Martin's Absolute (tel. 508/325-4000). Albacore trips cost $400 for 2 1/2 hours and $800 for a half-day for a boatload of six people. The Monomoy charges $425 for 2 1/2 hours for six people. On the Absolute, 2 1/2-hour trips for bluefish cost $450 for six people; 5-hour trips for bass cost $850.

Fitness

Nantucket Health Club at 10 Youngs Way (tel. 508/228-4750) offers all the usual equipment and classes. Nonmembers pay $20 a day.

Golf

Two pretty courses are open to the public: the 18-hole Miacomet Golf Club, 12 W. Miacomet Rd. (tel. 508/325-0333), and the 9-hole Siasconset Golf Club, off Milestone Road (tel. 508/257-6596). You'll pay $95 for 18 holes at Miacomet. At Siasconset, playing 9 holes costs $30.

Nature Trails

Through preservationist foresight, about one-third of Nantucket's 42 square miles are protected from development. Contact the Nantucket Conservation Foundation at 118 Cliff Rd. (tel. 508/228-2884) for a map of their holdings ($4), which include the 205-acre Windswept Cranberry Bog (off Polpis Rd.), where bogs are interspersed amid hardwood forests; and a portion of the 1,100-acre Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, comprising the barrier beaches beyond Wauwinet. The Maria Mitchell Association sponsors guided birding and wildflower walks in season.

Tennis

The town courts are located next to Jetties Beach, a short walk west of town; call the Nantucket Park and Recreation Commission (tel. 508/325-5334) for information. The town courts cost $20 an hour for singles and $25 an hour for doubles. Nine clay courts are available for rent nearby at the Nantucket Tennis and Swim Club, on North Beach Street (tel. 508/228-3700), for $46 an hour. Though it's not generally open to the public, the grand, turn-of-the-19th-century Siasconset Casino, New Street, Siasconset (tel. 508/257-6585), occasionally has courts available for rent from 1 to 2pm for $40 an hour.

Watersports

Nantucket Community Sailing manages the concession at Jetties Beach (tel. 508/228-5358), which offers lessons and rents out kayaks, sailboards, sailboats, and more. Rental rates for single kayaks are $20 to $25 per hour; windsurfers $20 to $25 per hour; and Sunfish $35 per hour. Sea Nantucket, on tiny Francis Street Beach off Washington Street (tel. 508/228-7499), also rents kayaks; it's a quick sprint across the harbor to beautiful Coatue. Single kayaks rent for $40 and tandems rent for $70 for 4 1/2 hours. Nantucket Island Community Sailing (tel. 508/228-6600) gives relatively low-cost private and group lessons from the Jetties pier for adults (16 and up) and children; a seasonal adult membership covering open-sail privileges costs $250 for 4 weeks. One 2-hour private lesson costs $100. Three 2-hour group lessons cost $165.

Gear for scuba-diving, fishing, and snorkeling is readily available at the souvenir shop Sunken Ship on South Water and Broad streets near Steamboat Wharf (tel. 508/228-9226). Fishing gear costs $25 per day, snorkeling gear costs $20 per day, and scuba-diving gear costs $50 to $80 per day. Scuba-diving lessons are $550.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard 2008 Author: Laura M. Reckford Pub Date: January 29, 2008 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: Boston For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's Boston 2008 Frommer's Boston 2009