Activities · Martha’s Vineyard
Everything to do, in one place
Water, trails and landmarks. Some of it sells out in July; most of it you can decide on the morning of.
On the water
Every beach on the island, grouped by which shore you are on and who is allowed on the sand.
Walking tours, the island bus, private charters, the party boat and the Boston day trip compared, with 2026 prices.
Sunset sails, private charters and harbor cruises. The island reads differently from the water.
Surfcasting, fly fishing and charters, plus the Derby, which owns five weeks of autumn.
On foot and on two wheels
Hiking, kayaking, wildlife refuges and the conservation land that most visitors never find.
A connected path network that goes where you were going anyway. No car needed.
Landmarks and living things
Edgartown, East Chop, West Chop, Cape Poge and the Gay Head Light at Aquinnah.
Seafood shacks to farm-to-table, with price band and whether they open in winter.
Everything to do on Martha’s Vineyard, in one place. Day trip or full week, each line above goes to the full guide on that subject.
One honest planning note: the things that sell out all have a boat or a guide attached: sunset sails, fishing charters and the Jaws tour. Beaches, trails and towns you can decide on the morning of.
BeachesALL SHORES Twenty beaches on three shores, grouped by who is allowed on the sand. 
Sailing and boat toursCHARTER OR LESSON Sunset sails, harbor cruises and lessons; the island reads differently from the water. 
FishingSHORE OR OFFSHORE Surfcasting, fly fishing and charters, plus the Derby, which owns five weeks of autumn. 
Outdoor activitiesTRAILS AND PONDS Hiking, kayaking and the conservation land most visitors never find. 
BikingPAVED AND FLAT A connected path network that goes where you were going anyway; rentals in every town. 
LighthousesFIVE LIGHTS Edgartown, East Chop, West Chop, Cape Poge and the Gay Head Light at Aquinnah. 
Wildlife and natureYEAR-ROUND Ospreys, deer, seals and the wooded preserves they live in. 
Restaurants75 PLACES Seafood shacks to farm-to-table, with price band and whether they open in winter. 
Which tour is worth itWALK, BUS OR BOAT Walking tours, the island bus, charters and the Jaws tour compared, with 2026 prices. 
A 
B 
C A: a sand fence and a pair of slippers left at Menemsha; B: bicycles against the boulders at the water; C: the Gay Head Light above the cliffs at Aquinnah.
Know Before You Go
Planning notes
Anything with a boat or a guide sells out in July and August: charters, sunset sails and the Jaws tour especially.
Beaches, trails, towns and lighthouses need no booking. Keep them for whatever the weather turns out to be.
Late May, June, September and early October are quieter, and most operators still run. From mid-October many seasonal places close for the winter, so check the ones you are counting on before you book.
The bus reaches every town, and every ride is free through June 30, 2027; the paved bike paths connect the three down-island centers.
Keep Reading
Plan the trip
Four free downloads · 2026 The Beach Guide, the Fall Guide, Where to Stay and What It Really Costs Every beach decoded, the fall season date by date, every town and price band for sleeping over, and the honest budget guide: four PDFs, free with the island letter. No spam, one click to leave. See a sample first The island in motion
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