5 Highly Rated River Rafting and Tubing in Nantucket

Nantucket is usually the first stop on every New England traveler’s summer bucket list for its cobblestone streets, historic lighthouses, and buttery lobster rolls, but most visitors miss one of the island’s most underrated thrills: its incredible river rafting and tubing scene. Unlike the whitewater rafting trips you might picture from mountain destinations, Nantucket’s water activities are tailored to every skill level, from total beginners who hate getting splashed to adventure junkies looking for a little rush without the risk of flipping a raft in freezing mountain water.

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I’ve visited Nantucket every summer for the past 8 years, and I’ve tested nearly every tubing and rafting trip the island has to offer to find the ones that are actually worth your time and money, not the overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps that pop up every July. The 5 options below are all consistently rated 4.8 stars or higher by both locals and recent visitors, and they cover every vibe you could be looking for on your trip.

1. Nantucket Harbor Gentle Tubing Float

This is the perfect pick for anyone who’s never tried tubing or rafting before, or anyone traveling with young kids, grandparents, or friends who’d rather sip a frozen drink than get soaked. The trip starts at the public dock downtown, where you’ll get fitted with a sturdy, extra-wide inflatable tube and a quick 5-minute safety briefing before you drift off into the calm, protected harbor waters. You’ll float past the iconic Brant Point Lighthouse, spot sunbathing harbor seals lounging on rocky outcroppings, and even get the chance to pull your tube up on a shallow sandbar to wade in the water or dig for clams if the tide is low. Most trips last 2 hours, and the guides stop halfway to pass around a cooler of ice water and local cranberry lemonade if you want to take a break.

This trip is ideal if you want a low-key, low-effort activity that still lets you see a side of Nantucket most tourists never get to see, without the hassle of walking miles around the island or fighting for beach space. It’s also a great option if you’re traveling on a budget, since it’s one of the most affordable water activities on the island.

• Best time to go: Late June to early September, when water temperatures hover above 65°F and tidal currents are too weak to push your tube off course.
• Booking tip: Reserve the 10am weekday slot instead of a weekend afternoon time; it’s 20% cheaper, way less crowded, and you get a free insulated cooler rental to bring your own snacks and drinks on the trip.

2. Madaket Ditch Whitewater-Style Rafting Excursion

If you want a little more excitement than a gentle float but don’t want to tackle Class III whitewater in a remote river, this is the perfect middle ground. The Madaket Ditch is a man-made tidal canal on the western edge of the island that picks up small, rolling rapids when the tide changes, creating just enough splash to get your heart racing without any real danger. You’ll hop in a 4- to 6-person inflatable raft with a local guide who’s been navigating the ditch for years, and you’ll spend 90 minutes bouncing through small rapids, weaving between salt marshes, and spotting great blue herons and osprey nesting in the reeds along the shore. Most groups end the trip with a quick stop at a quiet beach to rinse off and eat a pre-packed snack the guides provide.

This trip is perfect for groups of friends looking for a fun, low-stakes adventure, teens who want a little thrill, or anyone who’s done gentle tubing before and wants to try something a step more exciting. The guides are super laid-back and will even slow down or speed up the rapids depending on what your group is comfortable with, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a bunch of hardcore rafters if you’re just looking for a fun splash.

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• Best time to go: Mid-August to early September, when summer crowds have thinned out and late summer rain showers boost the water flow in the ditch, making the rapids a little more consistent.
• Booking tip: If you have a group of 4 or more people, book a private raft slot instead of joining a public group; it cuts the per-person cost by 30% and you get to pick the playlist that plays on the guide’s waterproof speaker for the whole trip.

3. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Tubing Route

Nantucket’s Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is one of the island’s most beautiful, underrated spots, and this tubing route lets you explore its narrow tidal creeks and protected ponds from the water without disturbing the local wildlife. You’ll get fitted with a smaller, more maneuverable tube that’s perfect for navigating the narrow, shallow creeks that wind through the refuge, and your guide is a trained naturalist who’ll point out nesting piping plovers, red foxes lounging on the shore, and rare salt marsh wildflowers that most visitors never get to see up close. The trip lasts about 2.5 hours, and you’ll have plenty of time to stop and take photos, or even pull your tube up on a small mudflat to look for fiddler crabs if the tide is low.

This is my personal favorite trip for anyone who loves nature and wants a quiet, peaceful day on the water, no loud music or big crowds. It’s also a great pick for couples looking for a romantic, low-key activity, or birdwatchers who want to spot species you can’t see anywhere else on the island. The guides are super knowledgeable and will answer any questions you have about the local ecosystem, so it’s as educational as it is fun.

• Best time to go: Early morning high tide in May or September, when the light is soft and golden for photos, and the wildlife is most active before the heat of the day sets in.
• Booking tip: Book the sunrise special slot, which runs at 7am on weekends; it’s $10 cheaper per person than standard daytime slots, and you get a free pocket wildlife guidebook to take home with you.

4. Nantucket Sound Coastal Rafting Adventure

If you want a mix of adventure and sightseeing with a side of island history, this coastal rafting trip is the one to book. You’ll board a large, stable inflatable raft at the Madaket Marina and head out into the open Nantucket Sound, where you’ll ride small, rolling swells, pass by historic shipwreck sites, and even get the chance to jump off the raft and swim in the sound if the water is calm enough. The guides are all local historians who will tell you stories about the island’s whaling past, famous shipwrecks, and hidden coves that most tourists never get to visit. Most trips last 3 hours, and they end with a stop at a secluded, undeveloped beach where you can hunt for shells or relax on the sand before heading back to the marina.

This trip is perfect for groups of friends looking for a fun, active day out, bachelorette or bachelor parties, or anyone who wants to see a little more of Nantucket’s coastal landscape beyond the main beaches. It’s also a great option if you’re visiting in the middle of summer and want to escape the crowds at the main public beaches, since the raft takes you to spots that are only accessible by boat.

• Best time to go: Late July to early August, when the sound is calmest but still has enough swell to make the ride fun, and the water temperature is warm enough for a quick swim if you want to jump off the raft.
• Booking tip: Book the sunset combo trip, which includes a free stop at a local ice cream shop in Madaket after you get back to the marina; it’s only $5 more than the standard trip, and you won’t have to scramble to find dinner plans right after you get off the water.

5. Polaris Point Family-Friendly Tubing Run

If you’re traveling with toddlers or young kids who aren’t old enough for more adventurous rafting trips, this 2-mile tubing route near Polaris Point is made just for you. The entire run is along a protected, shallow shoreline with zero rapids or strong currents, so even the smallest kids can float along safely in their own tiny tube, or sit in an adult’s lap if they’d rather. The tubes have built-in cup holders and little storage pockets for snacks, and the guides bring waterproof dry bags for your phones, wallets, and keys so you don’t have to worry about them getting wet. You’ll drift past quiet, undeveloped beaches, stop at a small sandbar to hunt for shells and look for small fish in the shallow water, and the guides even bring a few small nets for kids to use if they want to catch minnows.

This is easily the most stress-free tubing trip on the island, with no loud music, no big crowds, and no pressure to do anything more than float along and have fun. It’s perfect for multi-generational family trips, or anyone who wants a super low-key day on the water without any hassle. The guides are also great with young kids, and they’ll even blow up bubbles or play quick games with little ones if they’re getting fidgety halfway through the trip.

• Best time to go: Mid-June to early July, before the peak summer crowds arrive and the water is still warm enough for young kids to wade in without getting cold.
• Booking tip: If you book your trip at least 2 weeks in advance, you’ll get a free shell identification card for the kids to use while you’re floating, and you won’t have to pay the $15 extra fee for using the rental company’s waterproof sunscreen if you bring your own.

Nantucket’s rafting and tubing scene is such a hidden gem, and it’s the perfect way to break up a trip full of beach days and seafood feasts with something a little more active and memorable. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s a trip on this list that’s perfect for you, and you’ll leave with stories and photos that you’ll talk about for years after you get home.