Lost and found in Nantucket, Massachusetts: where to report and search for your item
Lost property on Nantucket is managed by the Police Department, the airport, the Wave transit system, and individual businesses and venues. ReportLost files your report across these channels and keeps your report active, so you don't have to search each platform yourself.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost works for Nantucket
You report the loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to alert the right local places on your behalf.
We route your report to the right places
We file with Nantucket Police, the airport if applicable, the Wave, and any relevant venues. We identify which office handles your location and provide you the exact steps if you want to follow up directly.
Your report stays active and keeps searching
For 12 months, your report continues to match against new lost and found posts, marketplace listings, and community announcements. You'll receive an alert if a credible match surfaces, so you're covered without having to check back yourself.
Where lost items go on Nantucket
Each location has its own process. ReportLost handles the outreach for you.
Nantucket Police Department
The Police Department holds lost property brought in by residents and visitors. They also accept reports of lost items found in public spaces. We file your report with the department and let you know the exact precinct or desk that handles your location.
Nantucket Memorial Airport lost and found
Items left at Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) terminal are handled by the Airport Security office. We generate the information you need to report if you lost something in the terminal or baggage area, and we alert the airport on your behalf.
The Wave transit lost and found
The Wave, Nantucket's public transit system, maintains its own lost and found for items left on buses. Each route can be reached separately. We file with the Wave and provide you the contact information for following up on your own if needed.
Shops, restaurants, and public venues
Many businesses keep lost items for a set period, often 30 to 90 days. Hotels, restaurants, shops on Main Street, and public beaches handle items directly. We help you identify the right place and suggest the best way to contact them.
Lost pets
If you've lost a dog or cat on Nantucket, report to the Police Department right away and contact Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA), the town's stray animal shelter. They also recommend posting in the active Nantucket Lost Pets Facebook group and checking with neighbors. file a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to file your report?
The sooner you report, the sooner your item enters the search. Once you've filed with ReportLost, we take it from there, reaching out to the relevant local channels and keeping watch for a match.
Report my lost item →Losing something on a small island can feel isolating, especially when lost property ends up in separate systems: the police station, the airport terminal, the bus line's office, or a shop where you left it. Nantucket doesn't have a unified lost and found, which means you'd normally have to call or visit each location individually, and hope someone checks the right place before your item moves along.
ReportLost consolidates that work. File once with us, and we route your loss to Nantucket Police, the airport security office, the Wave transit line, and other channels that matter. More importantly, your report stays active for the full year, continuing to scan for matches with new found posts and local community alerts, so you can move on while we keep searching.
Common places where items are lost on Nantucket
If you can narrow down where you lost your item, it helps us direct your report to the right office.
Downtown and Main Street
Shops, restaurants, galleries, and the waterfront area near Steamboat Wharf see a constant flow of visitors and residents. Items left in these commercial spaces are usually held by the business itself.
Surfside Beach and beach areas
Beachgoers frequently leave behind bags, phones, keys, and jewelry. Beach parking areas and lifeguard stations may hold items; otherwise, check with the town Recreation Department or local beaches directly.
Nantucket Memorial Airport
The airport terminal, baggage claim, and parking areas are where travelers most often misplace wallets, travel documents, and carry-on items.
Bus stops and transit vehicles
The Wave buses and shelters are common places to leave glasses, bags, and personal belongings. Items are held at the Wave office on South Water Street.
Hotels, inns, and vacation rentals
Visitors frequently leave items behind in rooms, lobbies, and common areas. Contact the property directly if you know where you were staying.
Community groups and platforms
Many Nantucket residents post lost and found items on social media. We check these channels as part of your search.
Facebook group for posting and searching for lost items
Facebook group dedicated to lost and found animals
Reddit community where locals post and share lost item alerts
Frequently asked questions
How long does the police department hold lost items?
Nantucket Police holds lost property for a set period before disposal. Check with them directly at 508-228-1212 for current retention policies and to confirm if your item has been turned in.
How do I claim an item at the airport?
Contact the Airport Security office at 508-325-5393. They can tell you if your item has been turned in and arrange pickup or shipping. Items left in the terminal are held for a limited time.
What if I lost something on the Wave bus?
Call the Wave's lost and found line at 508-325-5113. Be ready to describe your item and the route or approximate time you traveled. Items are typically held for 30 to 60 days.
Where should I look if I lost something at a beach or public area?
First, return to the location as soon as possible and ask lifeguards or any staff present. You can also contact Nantucket Police non-emergency at 508-228-1212 to ask if an item matching yours was turned in.
Can I search multiple places at once with ReportLost?
Yes. File one report with ReportLost and we contact the police, the airport, the Wave, and other relevant channels on your behalf. We also tell you the exact steps and phone numbers if you want to call anywhere directly to speed things up.
Is ReportLost.org an official service or part of Nantucket Police?
ReportLost is an independent service, not run by the police or town government. We're a separate organization that files reports with the official channels on your behalf and monitors local lost and found listings for matches. We complement but don't replace direct contact with Nantucket's local offices.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Don't search alone
Whether you lost a passport at the airport, a wedding ring on the beach, or a bag on the bus, filing your report puts multiple channels to work at once. ReportLost keeps searching for you, month after month.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with Nantucket Police Department, Nantucket Town Government, the Wave, Nantucket Memorial Airport, or any other local institution mentioned above. We file reports on your behalf with these official channels where they accept third-party reports, but we do not represent them and they do not endorse or operate ReportLost.