Discover Nantucket Tours & Discover Nantucket Bike Tours
Let's Have A Whale Of A Time!
Discover Nantucket Tours & Discover Nantucket Bike Tours
Let's Have A Whale Of A Time!
Nestled on the edge of Folger’s Marsh, just 3.5 miles from downtown Nantucket, the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum stands as a solemn tribute to the island’s perilous maritime history. Operated by the Egan Maritime Institute, this seasonal museum delves into the stories of shipwrecks and the heroic efforts of those who risked their lives to save others.
Thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod lies a windswept island seemingly frozen in time. Nantucket, with its cobblestone streets, salt-kissed air, and shingled cottages draped in blooming roses, is more than just a summer escape—it’s a living storybook of American maritime history and New England charm.
At first glance, Nantucket Island—serene, isolated, and beloved for its weathered beauty—may seem untouched by the turbulence of war. And in a way, it is. Unlike many places in colonial and early American history, Nantucket was rarely the site of bloody battles or burned towns. But don’t be fooled by its peaceful appearance.
Long before harpoons were launched and whale oil lit the lamps of the world, Nantucket Island had its own quiet rhythm—rich in natural beauty, Indigenous culture, and early colonial life.
Long before it became a summer haven for tourists and celebrities, Nantucket Island was the heart of a booming and brutal industry: whaling. From the late 17th century through the mid-19th century, Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world, sending ships across oceans in pursuit of the lucrative oil found in the blubber of whales.