Locals Warn Nantucket’s Historic New England Charm Is Threaten by Viral Travel Craze

Nantucket Island is reportedly experiencing a significant influx of visitors. While the island itself, measuring 47.8 square miles and located 30 nautical miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, isn't expanding, the growing number of visitors might give some residents a sense that the island is shrinking.

They worry that the unique character of their small island may be permanently altered.

Fox News Digital reported Nantucket has "seen tourism explode, according to some residents and longtime visitors – and locals say they've become inundated by visitors, crowds, and noise."

In an end-of-2025 tourism season assessment last September, the Nantucket Current reported, "The number of visitors to Nantucket through the end of the summer season was roughly the same as last year (2024), according to data collected from several sources including the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce."

"But tourism is still up significantly over pre-pandemic numbers," the paper reported.

Nantucket Is Swarming With Summer Visitors Thanks To Influencers

Seasonal Population Jumps from 15,000 to 80,000

The U.S. Census Bureau puts the population of permanent residents on Nantucket at between 14,500 and 15,000, but the Nantucket Official Municipal website says tourists, seasonal homeowners, and temporary workers drive the warm-weather population up to 80,000.

Nantucket can draw an estimated two million visitors annually.

Social Media Influencers Drive Viral Travel Craze

According to Fox News, internet influencers are driving people to the island, and some folks say the crowds are threatening the island's old New England charm. The island recently experienced its first stabbing in many years.

Local Businesses Push Back with 'No Influencers' Signs

USA Today reported Nantucket's Four Winds Craft Guild "posted a picture of a new sign in the store stating 'No Influencers' on Instagram on July 27, and it immediately went viral."

Remember when you put a two-cent stamp on a five-cent postcard, mailed it home from your vacation destination, and didn't post photos, videos, or trip reports to X every time you left the house?

The Town and County of Nantucket Culture and Tourism website provides helpful information to potential travelers.