The Ultimate Beach Lover’s Paradise: Best Beaches on Martha’s Vineyard
Some of New England’s most gorgeous beaches can be found on Martha’s Vineyard, a Massachusetts island renowned for its pristine beauty. We understand how difficult and overwhelming it can be to find a beach that’s perfect for you when there are many options to choose from, so sit back, relax and leave the searching up to us! We’ve compiled a list of some of the top beaches in Martha’s Vineyard to help you out. Let’s dive in!
Best Public Beaches
Katama Beach (South Beach)
South Beach, the fifth cleanest beach on Martha’s Vineyard, offers an abundance of public parking at no cost. Not only that, but South Beach provides calm waters on the bayside and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the other side! This beach is ideal for all of your beach activities: building sandcastles, relaxing, swimming, flying kites, etc! Lifeguards patrol this 3+ mile-long beach, but when deciding where to swim, keep in mind that the undertow and currents on the oceanside may be strong!
Joseph Sylvia State Beach (State Beach)
This busy beach is popular amongst young families with small children because of its free parking and shallow, calm waters. Lifeguards can be found at the end of the beach as well as food trucks close to the bridge connecting Edgartown and Oaks Bluffs – the iconic bridge from the classic movie, Jaws. Both kids and grownups like leaping over this bridge into the calm waters below!
Oak Bluffs Town Beach (Inkwell Beach)
Inkwell Beach is among the greatest due to its charming gingerbread cottages and historical sites! You can take a stroll from the beach to the town center, and you’ll find that it contains amazing places to dine and shop as well as great places to stay while visiting! At Inkwell Beach, there are a ton of things to see and do.
On Martha’s Vineyard, this beach is considered as the nicest place to watch the sunset! This is a popular destination for young families as there are lifeguards, restaurants, and bathrooms nearby. Typically, this beach has calm waters, making it safe to swim and unwind at!
This beach is ideal for those who prefer to relax or want to spend their beach day kayaking or engaging in other water activities! If you’re not a fan of the Atlantic’s choppy seas, you can relax by the bayside’s calmer waters. However, it’s important to note that visitors must pay a fee to enter onto the beach, and you must buy your parking pass online.
Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach)
This beach draws visitors from all over due to the spectacular Gay Head Cliffs, which provide the most gorgeous views of the water! After a short trek to the top of the cliff, you will be greeted by the white sand and gorgeous water from below. This is perfect for families as this beach has calm waters and excellent fishing spots. Parking is limited, so there is a $35 parking fee if you choose to visit.
Are you looking to avoid the crowds at public beaches and prefer something more private? Check out the greatest private beaches in the area that locals and renters love to visit! Perfect for people who prefer smaller crowds and want to enjoy the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard at its best. If you want to visit these private beaches but are not a resident or renter, you can go after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., depending on the beach, when it opens to the public. Enjoy the waves crashing, picnicking, or even watching the sunset!
Best Private Beaches (town residents and renters only)
This is a popular surfing destination due to its huge waves. The soft sand and breathtaking scenery attracts visitors from all over! A permit is required to park here as the maximum number of vehicles in the parking lot is fifty, so it’s best to get here early.
Located in Chilmark, this beach is flooded with gorgeous views all around! Crystal clear waters, soft sand, and plenty of room for beach activities! If you live or rent in Chilmark, this beach is great for you! You will not be able to access the private beach unless you have a resident or renter pass.
A secluded, scenic beach located near Lucy Vincent Beach, is perfect for surfers, sunbathers, and people of all ages! While the beach is private during the day, it is open to non-residents after 5 p.m.! It is a great site to watch the waves crash as the sun sets over the horizon.
This beach boasts beautiful views and clear waters and is only a short walk from the parking lot. It’s better to arrive early to get a spot in the small parking lot, but it’s worth it! There are lifeguards on duty throughout the summer, making it family friendly and safe for children to play in the calm water. You can visit the beach after 6 p.m. if you’re not a resident or renter.
Whether you want to leap off of the ‘Jaws Bridge’ or explore the town of Inkwell, Martha’s Vineyard has so much to offer! From gorgeous views at the top of Gay Head Cliffs to the calm waters of Menemsha, we are sure you’ll find these beaches to be the best you’ve ever encountered. So pack your beach bag, gather your friends and family, stay with Pink Rock Rentals, and head to these lovely beaches!