The sun setting over the ocean beside a dark headland on Martha's Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Martha's Vineyard Travel Guide, Written on the Island

Step off the ferry knowing the island: ferries, beaches, the six towns and what is on this week, written and photographed here.

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Next ferry to the island Every boat, fares and live status Getting around by bus Fare-free through June 30, 2027. Which bus, from where, next departure Plan your days Morning, afternoon, evening sketched for your dates. Free

Martha's Vineyard, written on the island

MV Vacation is an independent guide to Martha's Vineyard, written and photographed on the island. It covers beaches, towns, live webcams, ferry and bus tips, restaurants, bike routes, and events, all researched on the ground and updated for the season.

Start here

Every ferry Jaws locations Events this week Parking When to go What it costs About MV Beaches Towns Where to Stay Webcams Restaurants Explore All Activities FAQ Blog Sailing

Six towns, twenty beaches. The island from the inside

Every dot on the chart is a real place with its own guide. Pick a town from the map, or take one of the routes in.

Tap a town to open its guide

Island log

From the island, as it happens

2 entries · 11:45 PM island time All entries →

NOWlive Official travel advisoryNational Weather Service · checked 11:45 PM ET Gale Warning on the ferry waters until Fri 2 PM Gale Warning issued October 22 at 6:44PM EDT until October 23 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

CALMnowAll quiet on the island right nowWhen a storm rolls in, a ferry changes plans or there is a photo worth sharing, it lands here first. Past entries →

Island calendar

Coming up on the Vineyard

Full events calendar →

Ends 31 Oct Harriet Bernstein: The Big Painting Through October 31 · Chilmark Ongoing since Aug 24 OCT 23 Fri Fire and Song at the Old Whaling Church October 23 · 7 PM · Edgartown Tomorrow · in 19h 15m OCT 23 Fri Matt Nakoa at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse October 23 · 7 PM · Vineyard Haven Tomorrow · in 19h 15m OCT 24 Sat Harvest Festival at the Ag Hall October 24 · 10 AM – 2 PM · West Tisbury This weekend

See every event on the calendar →

Weather and water this week

Live weather, community radio and live cams, so you can see and hear the Vineyard as it is this minute.

Martha's Vineyard

54°F

Clear Sky · Feels 41°F

24 mph N 62%

Today 56°53° 53%

Fri 54°46°

Sat 56°44°

Sun 61°47°

Mon 63°49°

Water 56°F (NOAA buoy 44020, Nantucket Sound) Low tide 3:23 AM (Edgartown)

For informational purposes only. Always check the National Weather Service before making travel plans.

Free buses through June 30, 2027

How to get anywhere on the island by bus

The route, times and transfer for the big trips from every town, on the VTA's off-season timetable (October 4 to April 15).

See bus directions

WVVY-LP 96.7 · Island Radio

Volunteer island DJs, live from Tisbury

Full player and schedule →

The free island library

Four guides to the whole island

Our Beach, Fall, Where-to-Stay and What-It-Really-Costs guides, the ones we’d hand a friend before their trip. Join the letter from the Vineyard and all four are yours: a short letter when there is something worth telling, events and seasonal tips, no spam ever.

Things to Do

Stargazing and Astrophotography on Martha's Vineyard: Dark Skies, Meteor Dates and a Telescope to Borrow (2026–2027)

Oct 23 10 mins read

Stargazing on Martha's Vineyard: how dark the island really is (the town lighting bylaws, no official rating), the best moonless nights and Milky Way windows, meteor shower dates 2026–2027 with moon phases, the Chilmark library telescope loan, Felix Neck's moonrise paddle, and what works for night photography with a phone or camera.

Nature and Outdoors

Birdwatching on Martha's Vineyard: Hotspots, Seasons and the Free Walks (2026–2027)

Oct 23 11 mins read

Where to go birdwatching on Martha's Vineyard: the top eBird hotspots (Aquinnah Cliffs, Felix Neck, Wasque, Long Point), the seasons from ospreys to sea ducks, the free Martha's Vineyard Bird Club walks with 2026 dates, the Christmas Bird Count and where this week's sightings get posted.

West Tisbury

Martha's Vineyard Farmers Markets: West Tisbury, Edgartown and the Winter Market (2026)

Oct 18 7 mins read

The island's farmers markets, checked October 2026: the West Tisbury Farmers Market at the Agricultural Hall (Saturdays to October 31, 9 AM to noon), the Harvest Festival on October 24, the indoor winter market, Edgartown's summer Tuesday market, and the farm stands that stay open all year.

Fresh from the island

The latest photo galleries

All galleries

Just added Lake Tashmoo by E-Bike 5 photos

Fall on Martha’s Vineyard, October 2026 photo gallery

Just added Fall on Martha’s Vineyard, October 2026 37 photos

Just added Tivoli Day 2026 15 photos

Vineyard Haven in July: First Friday and Boch Park photo gallery

Just added Vineyard Haven in July: First Friday and Boch Park 15 photos

Gingerbread Cottages and the Campground photo gallery

Gingerbread Cottages and the Campground 48 photos

MV Songwriters Festival 2026 photo gallery

MV Songwriters Festival 2026 14 photos

All our Martha's Vineyard guides

200+ articles on the island's beaches, towns, restaurants and trails.

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Island almanac Island Life No. 46 of 50 New fact at midnight, island time

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The Possible Dreams Auction raises more than $500,000 in a single evening (more than $550,000 in 2026) by auctioning unique experiences like dinners with celebrities and private concerts.

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Martha's Vineyard Travel Guide, Written on the Island

Six towns, twenty beaches. The island from the inside

From the island, as it happens

Coming up on the Vineyard

Weather and water this week

Four guides to the whole island

Stargazing and Astrophotography on Martha's Vineyard: Dark Skies, Meteor Dates and a Telescope to Borrow (2026–2027)

Birdwatching on Martha's Vineyard: Hotspots, Seasons and the Free Walks (2026–2027)

Martha's Vineyard Farmers Markets: West Tisbury, Edgartown and the Winter Market (2026)

Martha's Vineyard: A Comprehensive Guide for Visitors

Complete Guide to Tick Safety on Martha's Vineyard: Prevention, Identification and Removal

How Big is Martha's Vineyard? A 96 Square Mile Size Guide

Seastreak Ferry to Martha's Vineyard: New Bedford and NYC (2026)

Every Ferry to Martha's Vineyard: Routes, Parking, Fares and Booking Tips (2026)

The latest photo galleries

All our Martha's Vineyard guides

Did you know?

Around the island

Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs

Vineyard Haven harbor

The Aquinnah shore

Edgartown harbor

The ferry crossing

Menemsha Beach

Guides

Martha's Vineyard: A Comprehensive Guide for Visitors

How Big is Martha's Vineyard? A 96 Square Mile Size Guide

Lucy Vincent Beach, Chilmark: Complete Guide to Access, Cliffs and Off-Season Visits

Complete Guide to Tick Safety on Martha's Vineyard: Prevention, Identification and Removal

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One short island letter, and all four guides to start

Martha's Vineyard Travel Guide, Written on the Island

Six towns, twenty beaches. The island from the inside

From the island, as it happens

Coming up on the Vineyard

Weather and water this week

Four guides to the whole island

The latest photo galleries

All our Martha's Vineyard guides

Did you know?

Around the island

Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs

Vineyard Haven harbor

The Aquinnah shore

Edgartown harbor

The ferry crossing

Menemsha Beach

Guides

Latest Videos

Latest Photos

One short island letter, and all four guides to start

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