Wind ripples in the sand at South Beach, the surf line beyond. Lifeguards cover the middle stretch; the far ends belong to walkers.
Complete guide to all 20 Martha's Vineyard beaches: parking costs, lifeguard schedules, dog rules, swimming safety, sticker requirements, and ADA access.
Martha's Vineyard has 20 distinct beaches spanning two very different coastlines: the Atlantic south shore with its surf and dunes, and the calm, warm Nantucket Sound side that families use. Parking costs range from free to $35/day, some beaches require town stickers, and dog rules change between summer and off-season. This guide covers every beach: parking costs, lifeguard hours, dog policies, swimming safety, and who each beach is best for.
Before you swim: Massachusetts posts current bathing-beach test results and any no-swim advisories on its public beach water quality dashboard, and the island's ponds are monitored for cyanobacteria through the MV CYANO program run with the local boards of health. Both change week to week, so give them a quick look on swim day, especially at pond beaches after heavy rain.
Table of contents [Show]
| Your Priority | Best Beach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Young children (safest water) | Owen Park / State Beach | Calm Sound, lifeguards, facilities |
| Surfing and bodysurfing | South Beach / Wasque | Atlantic swell, powerful waves |
| Dogs in summer | Lobsterville / Fuller Street | Only true summer dog beaches |
| Zero cost / free parking | State Beach / Inkwell / Owen Park | Free parking, no sticker needed |
| Sunset views | Menemsha Beach | Famous west-facing sunsets, great food |
| Seclusion / remote | Cape Poge / Long Point | OSV or hike access, few people |
| Near Oak Bluffs ferry | Inkwell Beach / State Beach | Short walk from ferry terminal |
| Near Vineyard Haven ferry | Owen Park / Eastville | 5-minute walk from Steamship dock |
| Fishing (surf casting) | Wasque / Cape Poge | Striped bass and bluefish water |
| ADA / wheelchair access | South Beach / Owen Park | Beach wheelchairs available |
The South Shore faces the open Atlantic Ocean, delivering cooler water, stronger rip currents, and real surf. These beaches need more caution: always swim between the flags where present, and respect "no swimming" flags immediately. Water temperatures run 62–72°F in summer.
Filmed August 2025
Location:Edgartown, 3 miles south of downtown via Katama Road. Also reachable by VTA Route 8 from downtown Edgartown.
South Beach is Martha's Vineyard's longest and most popular Atlantic-facing beach, a 3-mile barrier beach separating Katama Bay from the ocean. It's the only South Shore Atlantic beach with consistent lifeguard coverage, so it is the choice for people who want real waves with a lifeguard watching. The beach regularly attracts bodysurfers and boogie boarders; surfboards are restricted to specific zones. The Norton Point breach that opened on January 1, 2026 severed the barrier beach connection to Chappaquiddick, and the tidal current ripping through it is extremely dangerous. Always stay well away from the opening.
Erosion has also reshaped the approach in 2026: the town reports the right fork (Herring Creek Road) side currently has more parking and usable sand, while the left fork (Katama Road) side is limited. Access and parking can change day to day, so treat any beach report, including this one, as a snapshot and check Edgartown's beach updates on the day you go.
Moshup sits right under the clay cliffs at the island’s western tip. The walk in is long and the lot fills by mid-morning, but the view back up to the cliffs earns it.
Location:Aquinnah, at the end of State Road, beneath the Gay Head Cliffs. Named for Moshup, the giant of Wampanoag tradition.
Moshup Beach sits at the base of the multicolored clay cliffs, making it one of the most photographed spots on the island. The cliffs are Wampanoag tribal land and a National Natural Landmark. Do not climb or take clay from the cliffs. The beach has a naturally clothing-optional section on the far western end, a long-standing tradition. Without lifeguards and with strong rip currents, this is a beach for confident swimmers only.
Lucy Vincent is Chilmark’s showpiece. In summer it is resident-sticker only, which keeps the crowds off, and behind the sand rise the tall clay bluffs.
Location:Chilmark, off South Road, about 2 miles from the town center.
Many people call Lucy Vincent the most beautiful beach on Martha's Vineyard: tall bluffs, clean sand, heavy surf, nothing built on the horizon. The catch: it is restricted to Chilmark residents and their guests during the day, which keeps it quiet. There are no lifeguards here despite the dangerous surf. A clothing-optional section exists at the far east end. Long-standing local practice lets non-residents walk in after 5 PM, but the town's published rules don't spell this out. Confirm locally before counting on it.
Location:Chilmark, at the end of Squibnocket Road, near the western Chilmark border.
Squibnocket is a smaller Atlantic beach, the one Chilmark people keep for themselves. The cove-like shape and rocky headlands make for interesting tidepooling at the east end. The surf here can be powerful with unexpected shore break: the bottom drops off quickly. No lifeguards ever, and daytime access is restricted to Chilmark and Aquinnah residents. Evening entry after the attendant leaves is long-standing local custom, not a written rule, so confirm locally.
Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark: rocks along the waterline and a wave for the surfers.
Location:West Tisbury, end of Waldron's Bottom Road, managed by The Trustees of Reservations.
Long Point is the one beach where you can swim in both the Atlantic Ocean and the adjacent freshwater/brackish Long Cove pond on the same beach. The walk from the parking lot takes about 20 minutes each way (1 mile), which keeps crowds much lower than other beaches. No dogs ever: this is a wildlife refuge. No lifeguards. The pond side is calm and warm, the ocean side is open Atlantic. The Trustees membership waives per-day fees.
Location:Chappaquiddick Island, end of Wasque Road, managed by The Trustees of Reservations.
Wasque (pronounced "WAY-squee") sits at the far southeastern tip of Chappaquiddick where Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean collide, creating the most powerful and unpredictable currents of any beach on the island. It is known island-wide for surf fishing for striped bass and bluefish, particularly in the fall run. Do not swim here unless you are an extremely experienced ocean swimmer. The Chappaquiddick On Time ferry ($5 round-trip for walk-ons) is required to access the island.
Location:Chappaquiddick Island, northern tip, accessible only by OSV (Off-Shore Vehicle) or a very long walk/bike ride. Managed by The Trustees of Reservations.
Cape Poge is the most remote beach on Martha's Vineyard, a seven-mile barrier beach and spit accessible only via 4WD vehicle with an OSV permit or an extremely long overland hike. Terns and piping plovers nest here in summer (some areas roped off). The lighthouse dates to 1893. This is not a typical beach day. Bring all food, water, and supplies: there is nothing here.
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The North Shore faces Nantucket Sound, a body of water protected from the open Atlantic. Water here is significantly warmer (upper 60s to mid-70s °F in peak summer), waves are gentle, and currents are mild. These are the island's safest beaches for children and non-swimmers. The tradeoff is smaller surf and no waves for bodysurfing.
State Beach lines the road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The Sound water is warm, shallow and flat, parking is free the whole way along, and this is where families land.
Location: Between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown along Beach Road, 2 miles of Sound-facing beach along the main road.
State Beach is Martha's Vineyard's most accessible public beach. It runs directly along Beach Road (Route 33) with a wide bike path, making it the only beach you can literally bike to from either Oak Bluffs or Edgartown. The famous "Jaws Bridge" (the American Legion Memorial Bridge) crosses the inlet at the Oak Bluffs and Edgartown town line. Posted signs prohibit jumping and diving, and the tidal current through the channel is strong. Parking can be tight, but the long stretch means you can almost always find a spot and walk to a less crowded section.
Location:Oak Bluffs, foot of Lake Avenue, steps from the ferry terminal and the Flying Horses carousel.
Inkwell Beach is one of the country's historic African American beaches. Through the Jim Crow era and the whole 20th century it was the gathering place for Black families, intellectuals and civil rights leaders: the Obamas, Adam Clayton Powell, and Spike Lee among those with family connections to the area. Today it is a calm, friendly town beach with a history worth knowing before you spread the towel.
The Oak Bluffs town beach on a busy August day, with Inkwell along the seawall in the distance.
Location:Oak Bluffs, adjacent to Inkwell, along the Oak Bluffs esplanade.
Pay Beach is the more developed section of the Oak Bluffs town waterfront, with changing facilities. Despite the name, there is no longer a paid access fee; it is free and public. The esplanade and nearby restaurants make this a pleasant spot to combine beach time with lunch or dinner in Oak Bluffs.
Location:Vineyard Haven, at the base of the Vineyard Haven harbor channel, off Eastville Avenue, about 0.75 miles from the Steamship Authority terminal.
Eastville is a small, pleasant harbor beach very close to the Vineyard Haven ferry, perfect for early arrivals or last-day swims before departing. The water is calm along the beach itself. However, the channel nearby funnels significant boat traffic and tidal current. Do not swim toward the channel opening under any circumstances.
Location:Vineyard Haven, Owen Park off Main Street, about 5 minutes' walk from the Steamship Authority ferry terminal.
Owen Park is the most family-friendly beach near the Vineyard Haven ferry: a small, calm harbor beach with excellent facilities, a playground adjacent, lifeguard coverage, and a town bandstand for summer concerts. The water is exceptionally calm and shallow, making it ideal for toddlers and non-swimmers. The park setting makes it easy to spend a full half-day here without needing anything else. A beach wheelchair is available seasonally. Ask at the harbormaster's office.
The lifeguard stand at Menemsha Beach, with the swim buoys strung out in calm water. The beach faces west, which is why it fills up before sunset.
Location:Chilmark, at the working fishing village of Menemsha, end of North Road.
Menemsha Beach may be the island's favorite, not for its size but for the combination: calm Sound water, the fishing harbor beside it, lifeguards, and the closest food of any beach on the Vineyard. The fish market at Larsen's and Home Port Restaurant are steps away. It is also the island's sunset spot: the beach faces directly west, and crowds gather nightly in summer to watch the sun drop into the Sound. Arrive early for parking on weekends.
Location:Aquinnah, along Lobsterville Road on the north side of the island, facing Menemsha Pond and the Sound.
Lobsterville is Martha's Vineyard's most important beach for dog owners: it is the only beach on the island where dogs are reliably permitted on-leash in summer. The beach is long, relatively uncrowded (thanks to extremely limited parking, only about 8 spots), and faces the calm Sound. Many visitors bike from Menemsha (about 1.5 miles). The shallow, calm water makes it suitable for families; the openness attracts good breezes on hot days. Non-motorized watercraft can be launched here.
Location: Vineyard Haven (Tisbury), at the end of Owen Little Way off Main Street, on the harbor.
A small, calm town beach on Vineyard Haven Harbor next to the yacht club: sheltered, warm, and consistently safe for children. Lifeguard coverage in summer. Local families use this beach regularly; it sees less tourist traffic than Oak Bluffs or State Beach beaches. A good option for those renting near Vineyard Haven who want a nearby, low-key swimming spot.
Lambert’s Cove hides at the end of a wooded lane on the north shore, and it is the prettiest of that stretch. Resident-sticker only once summer starts.
Location:West Tisbury, off Lambert's Cove Road. Requires knowing the unmarked dirt road access; navigation apps are unreliable here.
Filmed June 2026
Lambert's Cove is often called the prettiest calm-water beach on the island: a crescent of white sand between pine-covered bluffs on the Sound side. It's restricted to West Tisbury residents during daytime, but non-residents can access after 5 PM, which is a good time to go (the light is low, the crowd is gone, and the water is still warm). The $75/season sticker makes it very accessible for summer residents. A $5 dog permit is available for off-leash morning swimming before 10 AM in summer.
Location:Vineyard Haven, end of Herring Creek Road where Lake Tashmoo meets the Sound.
Tashmoo Opening is the one spot where Lake Tashmoo, a calm, warm tidal pond, meets Vineyard Sound through a narrow, jetty-lined opening. You can swim in the lake, cross to the Sound side for saltwater, or play in the gentle tidal flow between the two. Very popular with local families on hot days. Parking is extremely limited. This is a bike-or-walk destination for most visitors.
Location:Edgartown, along Edgartown-Oak Bluffs Road, immediately north of downtown Edgartown.
Bend-in-the-Road is a small, calm Sound-facing beach right off the main road between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. Lifeguard coverage in summer, calm water, and a convenient location make it a solid choice for Edgartown visitors who don't want to deal with the South Beach crowds. Good for families, quick swims, and those cycling the Vineyard's main bike path.
Location:Edgartown, end of Fuller Street, near the Edgartown Lighthouse and the harbor narrows to Chappaquiddick.
Fuller Street Beach, a short walk from Lighthouse Beach, is a narrow strip of sand at the Edgartown harbor mouth, within easy walking distance of downtown Edgartown's shops and restaurants. The beach faces the harbor and the Chappaquiddick shoreline. For dog owners: it is one of the few beaches on the island where dogs are permitted year-round on leash, making it a key destination when traveling with pets. The harbor current near the point can be strong. Keep children and dogs away from the point itself.
Behind State Beach, Sengekontacket Pond holds calm, shallow water for kids and kayaks. The bird sanctuary at Felix Neck sits right on its far shore.
Location: Between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The pond is accessible from multiple points along Beach Road and near the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sengekontacket Pond is a large, warm brackish pond separated from Nantucket Sound by the State Beach barrier. The pond water is warmer than the Sound and extremely shallow, perfect for young children who want to splash without any wave risk. The Jaws Bridge spans the narrow connection between the pond and the Sound. Signs prohibit jumping and diving; the current running through that gap is stronger than it looks. Access is from multiple pull-offs along Beach Road.
Several of the island's best beaches restrict daytime access to town residents holding seasonal stickers.
| Town | Beach | Sticker Cost | Non-Resident Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilmark | Lucy Vincent, Squibnocket | $100/season (Lucy Vincent) · $65/season (Squibnocket) | Evenings by local custom · confirm |
| West Tisbury | Lambert's Cove | $75/season | Before 7 AM and after 5 PM (posted hours) |
| Aquinnah | Moshup Beach (parking) | $35/day (day-use) | Day-use fee applies |
Tip for non-residents: Lambert's Cove opens to everyone outside its posted sticker hours (before 7 AM and after 5 PM), and at Chilmark's beaches evening walk-ins after the attendants leave are a long-standing custom, though not a written rule, so let posted signs win. It is one of the island's better bargains: Lucy Vincent or Lambert's Cove in the evening light, free, no sticker.
Three South Shore/Chappaquiddick beaches are managed by The Trustees of Reservations. Day-use fees add up; a Contributing membership ($140) pays for itself after about six vehicle visits.
| Beach | Day Fee (Non-Member) | Member Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Point | $25/vehicle | $15 Household, free Contributing+ | 1-mile walk to beach |
| Wasque | $25/vehicle | $15 Household, free Contributing+ | Via Chappaquiddick On Time ferry |
| Cape Poge (OSV) | About $250/season (no day permit sold) | Included with permit | 4WD required, OSV permit |
Trustees Individual membership is $60 a year and Household $80, but free beach parking starts at the Contributing level ($140); Household members pay $15 per vehicle. Visit thetrustees.org for current pricing and to purchase online before your trip.
The full treatment, with the 2026 incidents, rip current technique, sharks, water quality and ordnance, is our beach safety guide.
| Safety Rating | Beaches | Why |
|---|---|---|
| DANGEROUS | Wasque, Cape Poge, Squibnocket, Lucy Vincent | Violent rip currents, no lifeguards, powerful surf |
| MODERATE/CAUTION | South Beach, Moshup Beach, Long Point (ocean), State Beach (near bridge) | Rip currents possible, respect flags |
| SAFE | Owen Park, Inkwell, Pay Beach, Menemsha, Tisbury Town, Bend-in-the-Road, Lambert's Cove, Long Point (pond), Sengekontacket Pond | Calm Sound water, gentle entry |
| CAUTION NEAR CHANNEL | Eastville Beach, Fuller Street, Tashmoo Opening | Safe on beach side, dangerous near channel/tidal opening |
Dog rules on Martha's Vineyard are strictly enforced, vary by town, and change between summer and off-season. The general rule: most beaches ban dogs from approximately Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September), sometimes extending to Columbus Day (mid-October). The two reliable year-round dog beaches are Lobsterville (Aquinnah) and Fuller Street (Edgartown). For a complete guide to traveling with dogs, see the Pet-Friendly Martha's Vineyard guide.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach in December, when the dune grass goes gold and the sand empties out.
| Beach | Summer Dogs | Off-Season Dogs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach | BANNED always | BANNED always | Year-round ban, no exceptions |
| Lobsterville | YES, on-leash | YES, on-leash | Only reliable summer dog beach on Sound |
| Fuller Street | YES, on-leash | YES, on-leash | Year-round dog beach in Edgartown |
| Lambert's Cove | 7 to 10 AM only (from June 15) | YES, unrestricted | Town rule: dogs only 7 to 10 AM in season |
| Long Point | BANNED always | BANNED always | Wildlife refuge, year-round ban |
| All other Sound beaches | No (Memorial Day–Labor Day) | Generally YES, on-leash | Confirm with each town before visiting |
Martha's Vineyard has made progress on beach accessibility, though options remain limited. Always call ahead to confirm availability as equipment changes seasonally:
The island's 2025 beach accessibility survey, the beach wheelchair phone numbers and the accessible ferries and buses are all in our accessibility guide.
The Trustees are working to expand accessibility at their properties. Call (508) 627-7689 for current status at Trustees-managed beaches.
Many of the island's best beaches are reachable without a car, which matters given the parking and the cost of bringing a vehicle on the SSA ferry:
Every public beach has a regulations board at the entrance, and the rules on it differ from beach to beach. Our island rules and etiquette guide sorts the beach, road, dog and noise rules into law, bylaw and custom, with the fines that go with them.
See the Martha's Vineyard Budget Guide for detailed cost-saving strategies including leaving your car on the mainland.
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Keep Reading
Keep Reading
Beach rules, parking fees, and dog policies can change each season. Always confirm current rules with the relevant town beach department or the Trustees of Reservations before your visit. This guide reflects 2026 season policies to the best of our knowledge as of April 2026.
Island tip of the dayInsiderNo. 84 of 86New tip at midnight, island time
A 502-foot breach opened at Norton Point on January 1, 2026, cutting the sand link between Katama and Chappaquiddick: the Chappy Ferry is once again the only way across, likely for years. OSV drivers should check current beach access with the town of Edgartown.
Rip currents, tidal channels, sharks, bacteria closures, wartime ordnance and cold water: the Martha's Vineyard beach safety guide, with the 2026 incidents (the Long Point drowning, the Norton Point possible shark bite, the Lucy Vincent sighting), which beaches have lifeguards and when they leave, how to escape a rip, and where the hospital is.
Which Martha's Vineyard beaches are open to visitors, which need stickers or permits, and what everything costs in 2026: town by town, gate by gate.
Every Martha's Vineyard beach ranked by vibe for 2026: family picks, best surf, sunset spots, quieter sands, parking, access, and dog policies.
State Beach on Martha's Vineyard is known for calm waters and a family-friendly atmosphere. Activities, amenities, and tips for a perfect beach day.
South Beach (Katama Beach) is Martha's Vineyard's top Atlantic surf beach: free parking, lifeguards, 3 miles of sand, and powerful waves in Edgartown.
Sengekontacket Pond in Oak Bluffs is a 745-acre coastal pond on Martha's Vineyard and a favorite spot for kayaking and birding.
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