As one of New England Beaches's hottest summer tourism destinations, Martha's Vineyard is a popular spot for bikers, nature lovers, and beachgoers, with many popular family-friendly beachfront spots scattered throughout its quaint harbor towns. The island, which is only accessible via boat or plane, is the third-largest island off the United States' East Coast, spanning an area of approximately 100 square miles.
1. Long Point Wildlife Refuge
Long Point Wildlife Refuge is a spacious 600-acre wildlife refuge that serves as one of Martha's Vineyard's largest public properties, spanning beautiful dune, woodland, and beach ecosystems throughout the island that formerly comprised an Ice Age-era prairie. The refuge area, which has been used as an agricultural settlement at least since its occupation by the Wampanoag indigenous people, was the site of several elite waterfowl hunting clubs in the early 20th century before its acquisition by the Trustees of Reservations beginning in 1979. Today, it is home to one of the island's most popular family-friendly swimming beaches, along with a two-mile nature trail that explores forested areas in Long Cove, Middle Point, and Tisbury Great Ponds. Kayak and SUP paddleboard rentals are available in season, with picnic tables and bike racks provided for visitor use.
Off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02568, Phone: 508-693-7392
2. Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Martha's Vineyard
Joseph Sylvia State Beach is a charming two-mile sandy beach in Martha's Vineyard that is best known as one of the primary filming locations for the iconic 1975 feature film Jaws. The state beach, which is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, stretches along the gorgeous Nantucket Sound shoreline and nearby Sengecontacket Pond, with an adjacent state highway providing access to the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. Families can enjoy safe swimming conditions due to a gradually sloping shoreline which creates shallow, calm water conditions, while anglers can take advantage of excellent fishing conditions to catch prevalent striped bass during warmer months. Visitors should note that parking spots fill up early during peak months and should plan to arrive early to secure beachfront spots.
Edgartown, MA 02539, Phone: 508-627-6145
3. East Beach, Martha's Vineyard
East Beach is a lovely and secluded barrier beach located within Chappaquiddick Island's Wasque Reservation, which has been cut off from the Martha's Vineyard mainland since 2007 due to storm erosion. The reservation, which was originally developed in 1959 following land donations from Oliver Filley and Charles Bird, is only accessible via boat, including public ferry service from nearby Edgartown. Visitors can relax on the shores of beautiful Cape Poge and observe the historic Cape Poge Lighthouse, which was originally constructed in 1801 and is still operated today by the United States Coast Guard. Calm, clear waters along the beach's northern edge provide habitats for shorebirds, including the endangered piping plover, along with nurseries for finfish and shellfish. Saltwater anglers can try their luck at catching bluefish and striped bass, while nature lovers can explore more than 14 miles of moderate hiking trails throughout the reservation.
Dike Road, Chappaquiddick Island, Martha's Vineyard, MA 02539, Phone: 508-627-7689
4. Lake Tashmoo Town Beach, Martha's Vineyard
Lake Tashmoo Town Beach is a hidden gem among Martha's Vineyard beaches, located within Vineyard Haven at the point where Lake Tashmoo meets the Atlantic Ocean. The small but charming beach is a popular local spot for swimmers and surfers alike, with calmer water conditions offered along the lake shoreline and milder surf waves accessible at the Vineyard Sound. Snorkelers can enjoy safe conditions in the beach's warm, relatively shallow waters, which also make for great family-friendly water conditions for beachgoers of all ages. Visitors should note that the beach is located at the end of a dirt road and may be difficult to find at first. Limited parking is available, so beachgoers should plan to arrive early in the day to secure parking spots. Public restrooms are available, with lifeguards staffed on duty during the peak season.
End of Herring Creek Rd., Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, 02568
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5. Lobsterville Beach, Martha's Vineyard
Lobsterville Beach is a family-friendly beach in Aquinnah, stretching two miles along Menemsha Pond at the end of Lobsterville Road. The beach offers shallow, calm waters throughout the season, making it a perfect spot for beachgoers of all ages and swimming ability levels. Anglers love the beach's excellent water conditions, and surf-casters and snorkelers gravitate toward the spot throughout the summer months. Birdwatchers can catch glimpses of gull and tern nesting areas past the sand dunes near the beach, while beachwalkers can stroll for miles along the Vineyard Sound landscape. Visitors should note that while the beach is free to enter for the public, its parking lot is restricted to residents only.
Lobsterville Rd, Aquinnah, MA 02535
6. Menemsha Beach, Martha's Vineyard
Menemsha Beach is a popular swimming beach located within Martha's Vineyard's final remaining operating fishing village, accessible from the town of Chilmark via car, bus, or bicycle. The lovely Menemsha Harbor beach is a favorite with visiting families due to its ample visitor amenities, including food vendors selling a wide variety of coastal and American cuisine favorites and sweets. More dining options are easily accessible nearby within the town center, including restaurants serving up award-winning fried clams and lobster rolls. Safe, warm water conditions draw beachgoers of all ages, with lifeguards staffed on duty in season through the early evening hours. At dusk, the beach fills up with crowds looking for a prime spot to view the sunset from one of the island's most scenic vistas.
7. Oak Bluffs Town Beach
Oak Bluffs Town Beach, also known as Inkwell Beach, is a family-friendly beach located within the heart of Oak Bluffs near Ocean Park, extending along both sides of the town's ferry wharf at Seaview Avenue. The beach is a popular spot for families with small children due to its calm waters and smooth sands, though visitors should note that lifeguards are not staffed at the site and should exercise appropriate caution. Beautiful views of Chappaquiddick Island are offered from the shoreline, which faces northward toward Nantucket Sound. Free street parking is available for visitors along Seaview Avenue, and public restrooms are available for visitor use.
Seaview Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA
8. Katama Beach
Katama Beach, also known as South Beach, is a very popular three-mile barrier beach located approximately four miles south of Edgartown along Katama Road. The beach is one of Martha's Vineyard's best spots for surfing, offering heavy waves and prime surf conditions to challenge even experienced surfers. Visitors looking to swim at the beach should check with lifeguards for current swimming conditions before entering waters due to rough water conditions at times. Sweeping dunes make for beautiful vistas, with lifeguards staffed on duty in most areas and public restroom facilities available for visitor use. The beach's left side tends to be more heavily populated with family beachgoers, while its right side attracts adults and college students.
9. Martha's Vineyard Beaches: Wasque Beach
Wasque Beach is an expansive 200-acre nature reservation located on Chappaquiddick Island, acclaimed by international publications such as Travel and Leisure as one of the most beautiful beaches in New England. The half-mile beach, which was originally established as a public reservation in 1967, offers ample public amenities with less crowds than mainland Martha's Vineyard beaches, accessible via ferry from nearby Edgartown. In addition to family-friendly swimming conditions, anglers can enjoy excellent fishing conditions for catching bluefish, bonito, and striped bass. Wildlife watchers can spot blue herons, egrets, ospreys, and monarch and sulphur butterflies, particularly during migration seasons. Visitors should note that a parking fee is collected by the Trustees of Reservations, with additional fees required for driving directly onto the beach.
10. Martha's Vineyard Beaches: Eastville Beach
Although Eastville Beach is relatively unknown to the greater community of Martha’s Vineyard, it is still a beloved beach that enjoys its own dedicated and frequent visitors. It’s a following that is more than enough to pack the beach’s small parking lot during the summer season. Great for swimming and water sports, the current and waves at Eastville Beach are generally calm and kid-friendly, making it a great day-trip destination for families. Enjoy watching the sunrise or set from the beach and take a nice walk over to Vineyard Haven Harbor while you’re at it. Apart from beach activities, this county-managed beach is popular for birdwatching and fishing, too.
351 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts 02568
11. Lighthouse Beach and Fuller Street Beach, Martha's Vineyard
Just a short walk from Edgartown Village are the gorgeous and popular Lighthouse Beach and Fuller Street Beach. Both beaches are located right next to each other and are the most visited on the island. Visitors to this beach can enjoy sprawling out on smooth and soft white sand with the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse in the background. One of the best things about both beaches is that they are spacious and give visitors the opportunity to be in the middle of the action or further away from it depending on how much privacy or space one needs. The only con for these beaches is that parking is limited. Locals typically recommend taking the us to the beach. Not only will it save you from the hassle of hunting parking down, it’s also a great opportunity to take a short walk around Martha’s Vineyard.
230 N Water Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539
What are the 11 Best Martha's Vineyard Beaches?
The 11 Best Martha's Vineyard Beaches according to local experts are:
- Long Point Wildlife Refuge
- Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Martha's Vineyard
- East Beach, Martha's Vineyard
- Lake Tashmoo Town Beach, Martha's Vineyard
- Lobsterville Beach, Martha's Vineyard
- Menemsha Beach, Martha's Vineyard
- Oak Bluffs Town Beach
- Katama Beach
- Martha's Vineyard Beaches: Wasque Beach
- Martha's Vineyard Beaches: Eastville Beach
- Lighthouse Beach and Fuller Street Beach, Martha's Vineyard
More Ideas: Menemsha Inn and Cottages
Menemsha Inn and Cottages is a charming inn set in the 300-year-old fishing village of Menemsha on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Set on a beautiful 30-acre property on the renowned island, the charming bed and breakfast offer an idyllic escape from the city with luxurious accommodations, exceptional amenities and access to two of Chilmark’s world-renowned beaches – Squibnocket and Lucy Vincent. The Inn is within walking distance of an array of things to see and do from beachcombing and fishing to shopping, sightseeing, fine dining and more.
Menemsha Inn and Cottages features luxuriously appointed guest rooms in a variety of sizes and layout to suit every need with charming, cottage-style décor, plush furnishings, private bathrooms and modern amenities. Guest rooms are spread between three locales, namely the Carriage House, Tea House and Mainstay, which capture the essence of Martha's Vineyard.
The Carriage House features six guest rooms with beautiful water views that open on to a comfortable Great Room that offers a common place to relax with a fully-stocked library and a large stone fireplace.
The Tea House boasts nine elegant guestrooms that feature a sunset deck with indoor and outdoor seating and offers a perfect spot for watching the sun sink below the horizon. The Mainstay is a luxurious two bedroom, two bathroom apartment located in the central reception area that provides a comfortable abode for friends or couples traveling together.
Menemsha Inn and Cottages offers a variety of appealing options for guests who prefer to have a private house or cottage, ranging from rustic three-bedroomed homes with spectacular views to fantastic seven bedroom houses with swimming pools overlooking Menemsha Harbor.
Sea View Cottages feature bedrooms with king-size beds, private bathrooms with showers and baths, fully-equipped kitchens with dining tables, comfortable sitting areas with sleeper sofas and wood-burning fireplaces and sun decks with gorgeous ocean and garden views. Modern amenities include flat-screen televisions, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, outdoor showers and barbecue grills, and screen porches.
Menemsha Inn and Cottages’ sister property, the Beach Plum Inn, offers elegant one-bedroom suites and cottages decorated in a charming French country style.
Known for its charm and peaceful ambiance, Menemsha Inn and Cottages offers an array of amenities to enhance guests’ stay. The Inn is within walking distance of two of the world’s best beaches, award-winning golf courses, fantastic boating, and world-class fishing, as well as several fine dining restaurants, a fitness center that offers yoga lessons, and tennis courts set in the vineyards.
A delicious country-style breakfast is served every morning for an additional fee, freshly squeezed lemonade and homemade cookies are offered in the lobby, and the historic New England Homeport Restaurant is within walking distance of the Inn and serves a creative menu of innovative continental cuisine.
Additional guest amenities include free access to Menemsha Beach, complimentary walk-on passes to the world-renowned beaches of Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket, the use of beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas and sporting equipment, including bicycles, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, horseshoes, and a basketball court. There are meeting and conference facilities are available for events and functions, and there is complimentary wireless Internet throughout the property.
There is also a gift shop on site that sells an array of Menemsha apparel, including clothing, mugs, board games and more.
Menemsha Inn and Cottages offers an array of unique and beautiful venues for hosting special occasions such as weddings, receptions, and other celebrations. Venues include the Croquet Lawn overlooking Vineyard Sound, or The Beach Plum Restaurant with spectacular views of the Vineyard Sound and Menemsha Harbor. The property is also an ideal destination for meetings and corporate functions and includes luxurious accommodations ranging from standard hotel rooms to private cottages and homes, award-winning cuisine and exceptional amenities.
Menemsha Inn and Cottages is set in the village of Menemsha on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, which is renowned for being a summer playground for discerning visitors who seek the peace, quiet and quaint charm of a seaside village. Menemsha is home to a variety of shops, stores and stylish boutiques, fine dining and seafood restaurants and casual cafés, and a variety of outdoor activities, such as swimming, cycling, fishing, boating, and golf. Martha's Vineyard is a well-known destination for weddings and other special celebrations with many indoor and outdoor venues from which to choose, including beautiful beaches and fabulous picnic areas.
12 Menemsha Inn Rd, Menemsha, MA 02552, Phone: 508-645-2521
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