In 1961, Hurricane Esther blew through the region and left a parting gift just off off the western tip of Nantucket, a new little "tapering spit of sand and sea grasses." Now known as Esther's Island, this portion of Smith's Point off of Madaket is a "temporary island that is infrequently detached from Nantucket depending on the severity of ocean storms." In other words, it's a part-time peninsula, known full-time as an island. As for the wee neighborhood, it's home to just three small summer cottages.
Rentals/Sales: The rather lovely 1 Esther's Island Road, an eco-friendly cottage we wrote about back when it was on the sales market for $3,300,000, was available as a rental back in 2010, but it seems as though the new owners are keeping the stunner all to themselves.
Price Range: 1 Esther's Island Road was originally asking $3,995,000 and sold for $2,600,000 in December 2013.
Neighborhood Highlights: Paddle out or walk over (island status depending) to the peaceful, virtually tourist-free nature lover's paradise for quahogs, steamers and sunsets. The views of the Atlantic Ocean, Madaket Harbor, Nantucket Sound and Tuckernuck Island are, in a word, incredible. Of course, visiting such a delicate environment requires some forethought and this how-to from Peter B. Brace is an invaluable guide to everything from avoiding plover nests to not becoming a feast for the greenhead flies. Onward!
· Esther Island Map via mass.gov [Mappery.com]
· What $3.3 Million Can Buy You Around The Cape & Islands [Curbed]
· Paddle to Esther's Island for Quahogs and Sunsets [Nantucket Chronicle]
· PURCHASE OF THE WEEK: ESTHER'S ISLAND [Nantucket Chronicle]
· Unique and Magical Nantucket Experience [Windwalker Rentals]