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The only fully public Chilmark beach, and the sunset the island applauds.
Every Martha's Vineyard beach ranked by vibe for 2026: family picks, best surf, sunset spots, quieter sands, parking, access, and dog policies.
Martha's Vineyard has more than 20 named beaches spanning six towns, and no two are alike. The north shore has the calm Nantucket Sound water families want; the south shore has Atlantic surf and real rip currents. A major Norton Point breach opened January 1, 2026, severing the land connection to Chappaquiddick. Before the first swim, read our beach safety guide: rip currents, channels, sharks and where the lifeguards are. Here's every beach with 2026 access rules, parking costs, and dog policies.
Filmed July 2021The island moves on: shops, signs and prices may differ from what you see here. The text of this guide was checked September 2026.
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Calm, harbor-protected water and one of the most historically significant African American beach communities in the country.
One of the most historically significant African American beach communities in the US since the late 1800s. Calm, shallow, harbor-protected water. Free parking, no sticker. Dogs prohibited May 15–Sep 15 (7 AM–5 PM). No confirmed lifeguards for 2026.
Two miles of calm Nantucket Sound water. Free roadside parking, no sticker. The "Jaws Bridge" sits at the midpoint; posted signs prohibit jumping and diving, and the tidal current through the channel is strong, so watch the scene from the sand. Lifeguards at Edgartown end, late June–Labor Day. Dogs prohibited April 1–August 31. Paved bike path runs full length. Most ADA-accessible beach on the island.
Three miles of open Atlantic. The surf is the point, and the rip currents are the fine print.
Three miles of open Atlantic: powerful surf, rip currents, not for inexperienced swimmers. Five lifeguard stations late June–Labor Day. Parking at Herring Creek Road free, no sticker. Dogs prohibited year-round. The 2026 Norton Point breach (500+ feet wide) has severed the Chappaquiddick connection.
Calm harbor beach below Edgartown Lighthouse. Free, no sticker. Dogs on leash year-round. No lifeguards. Excellent sunrise walks.
Small harbor beach near Eel Pond, where kids catch crabs. Free, 6–8 parking spots. Dogs on leash. Extremely shallow, ideal for toddlers.
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Steps from the ferry. Calm harbor water, playground, swimming float, restrooms, outdoor shower. Free, ADA accessible. Lifeguards in summer. Bandstand for Sunday concerts. No dogs on Tisbury beaches in summer; allowed off-season.
Dual swimming: Vineyard Sound saltwater + calmer lake side. Free, limited parking fills early. Lifeguards in summer. Jetty excellent for fishing during the Derby.
Often called the most beautiful beach on Martha's Vineyard. Resident/renter only 7 AM–5 PM, mid-June–mid-September. 2025 prices: $75/vehicle, $15 walk-on (up from $50/$10). Non-residents: visit before 7 AM, after 5 PM, or off-season. Dogs before 10 AM in designated area.
632-acre Trustees refuge. Atlantic beach + freshwater Long Cove Pond. Advance reservation required mid-June–Sep. Parking $25/vehicle non-members. Walk/bike free (new 2025). Free entry via library passes. No dogs ever. No lifeguards.
Clay cliffs and Atlantic surf, residents-only in season and everyone’s from mid-September.
Dramatic clay cliffs, Atlantic surf. Residents/renters only June 1–Sep 15 ($100/vehicle, $25 walk-on). Clothing-optional section at far end. Open to all mid-September onward.
Rocky, powerful surf. Residents only before 5 PM, June 15–Labor Day ($65 sticker). Evenings after the attendant leaves are local custom, not a written rule. Confirm locally; prime sunset spot. Nearly disappears at high tide.
Open to all, free parking. The only Chilmark beach fully accessible to visitors. West-facing = best sunsets on Martha's Vineyard (crowd applause tradition). Steps from Larsen's lobster rolls. Lifeguards in summer. VTA Route #4.
Moshup Beach from above: the walk down takes ten minutes, and the cliffs are sacred Wampanoag land.
Half-mile beneath the towering multicolored Gay Head Cliffs (National Landmark). Open to all. Parking $35/day credit card only (~40 cars). 10-minute walk from lot. Atlantic surf, no lifeguards. Climbing cliffs or removing clay is illegal. Unofficial clothing-optional section near cliffs.
Remote beach via the Chappy Ferry. Some of the best surf fishing on the island. Walk/bike free (new 2025). Vehicle parking $25 non-members. OSV permits $250–$380. No lifeguards. Swimming hazardous. Dogs prohibited April–September.
Seven-mile barrier beach, one of the most remote locations in Massachusetts. OSV or long walk required. Serious fishing. Annual piping plover closures.
Nantucket Sound (avg): June 61°F, July 69°F, August 70°F, September 67°F. Comfortably swimmable (65°F+) from late June. Peak warmth mid-August, up to 75–76°F. South shore runs 1–2°F cooler.
Know Before You Go
Norton Point opened January 1: 500+ feet wide, the Chappaquiddick land connection is severed and expected to stay that way for years. The Chappy Ferry is the way over.
Sticker hours extended to 7 AM (was 10 AM) and prices raised to $75 per vehicle, $15 walk-on.
Walking or cycling into Long Point, Wasque and Cape Poge is free; vehicles $25 with a reservation, and island libraries lend free parking passes.
The VTA is fare-free through June 30, 2027: State Beach, Aquinnah and the South Beach area all without a car.
For individual beach guides, see South Beach, Lambert's Cove, Menemsha, and Lucy Vincent. For getting around, see our Ferry Guide and VTA Schedule.
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Island tip of the day Ferry No. 4 of 86 New tip at midnight, island time
The Island Queen from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs is $20 one-way, $30 round-trip (35 min). Passengers and bikes only: no cars, and no dogs. Buy tickets at islandqueen.com; summer boats do fill.
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.
Complete guide to all 20 Martha's Vineyard beaches: parking costs, lifeguard schedules, dog rules, swimming safety, sticker requirements, and ADA access.
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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