Martha's Vineyard with Kids: The Complete Family Guide (2026)
Martha's Vineyard with kids: best beaches, Flying Horses Carousel, free VTA buses, kid-friendly restaurants, rainy day plans, and family budget tips.
Inkwell Beach on Seaview Avenue in Oak Bluffs is far more than a small harbor beach: it is one of the most culturally significant beaches in America, the center of a Black summer community dating to the 1890s and a symbol of reclaimed pride that has shaped Martha's Vineyard's identity for over a century.
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African American Heritage
The Inkwell has been the heart of Black summer life in Oak Bluffs for generations, a beach with a history as strong as its surf is gentle.
The African American summer community in Oak Bluffs was founded in the 1890s when Black visitors began purchasing property. Shearer Cottage (1912), founded by Charles and Henrietta Shearer, became the first African American-owned guest house on Martha's Vineyard and is still operated by Shearer family descendants. Oak Bluffs was the only town that welcomed Black tourists during the segregation era.
Notable figures connected to the community include Dorothy West (last surviving Harlem Renaissance member, lived in Oak Bluffs until 1998), Martin Luther King Jr. (stayed at Villa Rosa, reportedly wrote speeches on Oak Bluffs porches), Adam Clayton Powell Jr., President Barack Obama (vacationed 2009–2011), and Maya Angelou.
The Polar Bears
Founded in 1946 by a group of Black women, the Polar Bears meet every day at 7:30 AM at Inkwell Beach between July 4th and Labor Day for swimming, water aerobics, prayer circles, and community bonding. The name refers to the early morning chill of the water. Still very active after nearly 80 years: intergenerational, inclusive, and deeply connected to HBCU alumni.
The Name
"Inkwell" was originally a derogatory term used by white beachgoers. The Black community reclaimed the name with pride as a symbol of cultural identity, now described as "the most famous of beaches to transform this odious nickname into an emblem of pride."
The Beach
Located along Seaview Avenue, positioned between two jetties bordering Nantucket Sound just south of the Steamship Authority pier. The beach is small, sheltered, and calm. Warm, shallow water good for children. Less than a 5-minute walk from the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal. Free public beach, no entrance fee. The African American Heritage Trail includes multiple stops nearby: Dorothy West's home, Shearer Cottage, Bradley Memorial Church, and more.
For the complete Oak Bluffs experience, see our Oak Bluffs Town Guide (2026). Getting here is easy with the free VTA bus.
Island Tip of the Day · Timing
Edgartown Lighthouse Beach faces east: it's a spectacular sunrise spot, not sunset. For sunset, head west to Menemsha, Aquinnah Cliffs, or East Chop.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and was accurate at the time of writing. Beach conditions, hours, prices, lifeguard schedules, ferry fares, and business operations change frequently and without notice. Ocean swimming carries inherent risks including rip currents, undertow, and cold water shock. Always verify current conditions with official local sources before your visit. MV Vacation assumes no responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience resulting from the use of this information. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, supervise children at all times near water, and follow all posted safety signs.
