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Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket Boat Basin Services

At the Nantucket Boat Basin, we offer a full range of guest services. Our knowledgeable and approachable staff is available to see to your every need. Our concierge service can assist you with restaurant reservations, bicycle rentals, sailing excursions, golf outings, taxi service, and more. We can also accommodate more elaborate requests, such as party planning and catering services, as well as on-board massage and spa services.

Check-in/Check-out

Check-in at the Boat Basin is at 1:00 pm. Please radio our office on VHF channels 9/11 upon arrival and you will be directed to your berth.
Check-out on the day of your departure should be no later than 11:00 am.

Concierge Service

The Concierge is located on the first floor of the Boat Basin office on Swains Wharf. Our concierge staff can assist you with restaurant reservations; bike and scooter rentals; fishing, sailing and airplane charters; pet sitting and babysitting; golf and tennis times; taxi service and more. If you require grocery and ice delivery, luggage transfers or elderly guest transport, mail and package deliveries or power equipment our friendly staff is happy to assist. We're also available to help with more elaborate requests such as party and clambake catering, and on-board massage and spa services.

Pet-Friendly Nantucket Boating

Pet-Friendly Nantucket Boating
At the Boat Basin, pets are welcome. We provide complimentary pet amenities--dog-friendly tennis balls, water bowls and dog treats. We just ask that you keep your pet leashed, in accordance with Nantucket's leash law. Our animal-needs park at the head of Swain's Wharf is an ideal location for dog walks. Please use the biodegradable scoopers provided to clean up after your pet.

Additional Boat Basin Services

  • Fuel dock service that includes gas, diesel, pump-out, oil, and ice
  • Slip-side cable television service
  • Easy access to potable water
  • Coin-operated laundry located on Swain's Wharf with change and soap dispensers
  • Free Wi-Fi. Ask your dock attendant for the password.
  • Slip side check-in
  • Boat Basin Authentic Logo Shop on Straight Wharf
  • Power ranging from 30 amp, 50 amp, 100 amp single phase service, 100 amp three-phase service, and 480v power (please be advised, electricity is an additional nightly fee)

Waste Disposal & Pump-out Facilities

Hazardous materials disposal, which includes oil, antifreeze, mixed bilge fluid, and contaminated gas, is available. We also offer complimentary slip-side pump-out facilities at all three wharves from 8am-5pm daily. For waste removal assistance or to schedule a free pump-out, call our office at 508-325-1350.

Discharge Restrictions

Nantucket bylaws prohibit the discharge of "gray water" - defined as waste water from sinks, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and galleys. For your convenience, we offer 18 dock-side bath/shower facilities and a full-service, coin-operated laundry facility, located on Swain's Wharf. Local bylaws also require that you use environmentally safe, biodegradable cleaning products when washing your boat.

Graywater

Nantucket water is among a few remaining on the East Coast that contain commercial and recreational populations of oysters, clams, quahogs, and cold water bay scallops. Therefore we must be diligent in our attempt to mitigate all manner of pollution.
  • Surfactants (soaps and detergents) exhibit toxicity towards marine life and water quality. We must limit the amount of surfactants entering into the water column.
  • Nantucket waters have been declared a federally designated NO DISCHARGE ZONE; do not discharge any treated or untreated sewage or any rubbish or garbage into these waters. The Boat Basin has a free pump-out service for black water and gray water; please call the office to arrange an appointment.
  • Local by-laws also prohibit the discharge of gray water. We ask that you mitigate as much as possible the gray water that enters Nantucket waters. Nantucket Boat Basin has 18 bathroom/shower facilities located among the three main wharves as well as a coin operated laundry facility. We encourage you to use the onshore facilities.
  • When washing your boat, Nantucket by-laws require that you use only environmentally-safe, biodegradable cleaning products. It is illegal to use onboard dishwashers and washing machines that discharge overboard into Nantucket waters.


Biodegradable, Safe Products

We suggest only the following list of biodegradable soaps be used.
Starbrite: Boat Wash, Wash & Wax, Supergreen
Mary Kate: Super Suds, Spray Away, Inflatable Boat Cleaner, Cleaning Detail
Sudbury: Boat Zoap, Boat Zoap Plus
Boat Life: Boat Cleaner
Orpine: Orpine Boat Cleaner
Simple Green
US Paint

Recycling & Environment

Nantucket Boat Basin Environment
The Town of Nantucket strictly enforces its laws on recycling and is very stringent on what refuse is allowed in its landfill. We are all expected to comply with 100% recycling. That means that there is zero tolerance for mixed, or non-complying, rubbish. For your convenience there are 35 sets of bright blue recycle bins (glass, plastic & aluminum) located throughout the docks. The following items can be deposited for recycling: bottles/glass, tin/aluminum, newspapers/magazines and cardboard. Cardboard, newspapers and magazines may be tied in bundles or placed in clear plastic bags. Cardboard must be flattened and reduced to pieces 3' x 3' or smaller.
  • All trash must be in clear plastic bags. Dark or non-transparent bags are not allowed. Clear bags can be purchased at your local supermarket or through the Boat Basin when you arrive.
  • Household waste must be in one bag. This includes food waste, animal waste, paper and cardboard food containers, Styrofoam, and paper products.
  • Aluminum and tin cans and plastic bottles and containers must be separated. These can be in their own clear bag or placed in the numerous recycle bins throughout the marina.
  • Glass bottles and light bulbs must be separated. These also can be in their own clear bag or placed in the recycle bins in the marina.
  • Cardboard boxes may be flattened and placed next to our barrels.
  • Any textiles (clothing, sheets and blankets), electronics, shoes, small appliances, hoses, extension cords, rope, toys, mechanical parts, dirty oil, batteries, or hazardous materials require special handling.

Grilling/BBQs

Because Nantucket Boat Basin consists of all wooden docks, the state fire marshal prohibits any open flames on board vessels or the wooden docks. This includes propane, charcoal briquettes, and electric grills. You may grill on designated brick areas located on each wharf, where we have stainless steel, full-size grills for guest use. Please ask your dock attendant or the Dockmaster's Office for assistance.

Swimming

Swimming is prohibited in the marina for safety reasons. You'll find beautiful swimming beaches located a short walk from the marina or take a dinghy ride from the Boat Basin. Please ask your dock attendant or the concierge for directions.

Jet Skiing

Town by laws prohibit jet skiing or personal watercraft use anywhere in Nantucket Harbor. You may navigate at clutch speed, out the main channel, through Nantucket Harbor and proceed to the east where you may jet ski in what is called the Chord of the Bay.

Paddleboards & Kayaks

Paddleboards, kayaks and any other boat not under power are not permitted inside Nantucket Boat Basin. Please contact your dock attendant or the concierge for directions to safe areas of the harbor.

Mass Saltwater Fishing License

All anglers must have a valid fishing permit to fish recreationally for finfish in Massachusetts marine waters. You do not need a permit if you are under 16 years of age, are a fisherman fishing on permited for-hire vessels, or meet the definition of a disabled person in M.G.L c. 19c. The permit is $10 and can be purchased by clicking here or call 866.703.1925.

Accessibility Features

  • We allow service animals
  • We have large or alternative lettering on all signage
  • Accessible public restrooms
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