Martha's Vineyard is 96 square miles, about 20 miles long and 9 miles wide. Compare its size to Manhattan, Nantucket, and other islands.
How Big Is Martha's Vineyard?
Martha's Vineyard is an island off the coast of Massachusetts, and the short answer is: bigger than most first-time visitors expect. Here are the actual numbers, plus a quick tour of what fills all that space.
Martha's Vineyard covers approximately 96 square miles, making it the 58th largest island in the United States and the third-largest on the East Coast, following Long Island and Mount Desert Island. Those 96 square miles break down roughly into:
Beaches: The coastline runs from the flat sand of South Beach to the clay cliffs at Aquinnah, so the beach you get depends on which shore you pick.
Countryside: The interior is rolling hills, farmland, and woods, with plenty of room for hiking and exploring.
Six Towns: Martha's Vineyard has six towns, and they don't feel interchangeable.
The island letter
Three island guides, free on arrival
The Beach Guide, The Vineyard in the Fall and Where to Stay, plus a short letter from the island when there is something worth telling.
One-click unsubscribe, and we never share your email.
Towns of Martha's Vineyard
Here's what each of the six towns is actually like:
Edgartown: Historic architecture and the island's most upscale dining and shopping.
Disclaimer: The information provided on MV Vacation's website, including details about attractions, events, and activities on Martha's Vineyard, is intended for general informational purposes only. We strive to ensure accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that all information is error-free or up-to-date. Visitors should verify the status of any location or event directly with official sources before planning their visit. MV Vacation is not responsible for any discrepancies, changes, or issues related to the information provided on our website.
LIVELive WebcamsWatch Martha's Vineyard in real time.→
Island Tip of the Day · Timing
State Road Restaurant and Chilmark Tavern are slightly easier to get into Sunday through Thursday. Both on Resy. Chilmark Tavern is seasonal (May–Oct) and BYOB.
Three free downloads · 2026 editions
Three island guides, in your inbox
The Beach Guide (all 20 beaches decoded), The Vineyard in the Fall, the season date by date, and Where to Stay, every town and price band. All three PDFs free, plus a short island letter when there is something worth telling. No schedule, no spam.
No spam, unsubscribe in one click. Want a look first? See what you get.
First email ever from us? Give it a minute, and peek in spam once.
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.
Your insider guide to Martha's Vineyard: beaches, dining, events, and island living. We share local knowledge to help you plan the perfect Vineyard getaway.
A reader planning a trip for May 2027 asked us what would actually be open. The honest year-round map: restaurants, cafes, trails, museums and services that never close, town by town, plus the calendar of when everything else reopens.
The Gay Head Cliffs are sacred Wampanoag land, not just a viewpoint. What visitors are welcome to in Aquinnah, what the rules protect, and how to be a good guest.
Shearer Cottage, Dorothy West, the Inkwell and 30 marked sites across the island: how to walk or tour the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard.
New Woods Hole terminal, fare-free buses, new restaurants in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, a reopened lighthouse and more: everything that changed on the island in 2026.
On August 19, 1991, Hurricane Bob hit Martha's Vineyard at the height of the season: 98 mph winds, 84 boats wrecked in Edgartown Harbor alone, a sloop in the Harborside Inn pool, and a false autumn by Labor Day. The story of the storm, told through an original Vineyard Gazette storm edition we found in an island thrift shop.
Subscribe
The free island library · 2026
One short island letter, and all three guides to start
Beach reports, events worth a day, ferry heads-ups. Sent when there is something worth telling. The Beach Guide, The Vineyard in the Fall and Where to Stay arrive with your welcome email.