2024 Map of Great Point

About this map

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge occupies the narrow, tapering terminal end of the island, where the land meets the meeting currents of the Atlantic Ocean. This 2024 survey captures the ephemeral geography of Great Point, a dynamic spit of land subject to the constant influence of coastal erosion and shifting sands. The map details the thin land bridge known as The Galls, which connects the main body of the refuge to the lighthouse tip, and identifies Point Rip just offshore. These features document a landscape defined by its exposure, illustrating the precarious nature of the island’s northernmost reach where shoals and deep water converge.