Ocean Park on a gray summer afternoon, the lawn running down to Seaview Avenue and the Sound beyond it; the pier is a two-minute walk to the left.
A walking tour of Oak Bluffs pier and harbor on Martha's Vineyard. See where summer ferries dock, watch local fishermen, and enjoy the waterfront.
Walk out along the Oak Bluffs Pier on a sunny day. You’ll see where the ferries dock in the summer, as well as where the local fishermen and women fish from the pier. It is the easiest walk in Oak Bluffs, and the one to do first.
Location: Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard , Massachusetts, USA
The Oak Bluffs pier is the arrival point for ferries from Falmouth and Nantucket during the summer season, making it one of the liveliest spots on the island. From the pier, you'll see fishing boats heading out through the harbor mouth toward Nantucket Sound, and in the afternoon, local fishermen often line the railings hoping for striped bass and bluefish.
Looking inland from the pier, you'll spot the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest operating platform carousel in America, built in 1876. Just beyond is Circuit Avenue, the heart of Oak Bluffs' nightlife and shopping.
From the pier, consider walking south along the seawall to Inkwell Beach, a historic beach with calm water for swimming. Or head inland two blocks to explore the Camp Meeting Association's Gingerbread Cottages: over 300 brightly painted Victorian homes surrounding the Tabernacle, an iron-frame open-air auditorium built in 1879. The full walking loop from pier to cottages and back takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Filmed May 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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Exploring the town? Start with our complete Oak Bluffs guide: food, beaches, parking and the local rhythm, all in one place.
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