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.
Keep Reading
Exploring the town? Start with our complete Oak Bluffs guide: food, beaches, parking and the local rhythm, all in one place.
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.
The Feast of the Holy Ghost in Oak Bluffs, held every third full weekend of July since 1928: the Queen Isabel legend behind the free soup, the Sunday parade from the ferry up Circuit Avenue, the crown blessed at Our Lady Star of the Sea, the sopas at the Portuguese-American Club, the club the rest of the year, and how a visitor should behave at the island's Portuguese feast.
East Chop Lighthouse in Oak Bluffs: the 1878 cast-iron tower on Telegraph Hill, the Sunday sunset openings run by the Martha's Vineyard Museum, the semaphore and Chocolate Lighthouse history, and the bus stop and parking below the hill.
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.
Take a guided Jaws tour of Martha's Vineyard with local guide Mike Currid. Walk the real Amity Island in Edgartown and book the "Amity" Walking Tour.
A first-hand look at the Edgartown Historic Walking Tour and "Amity" Jaws Tour with Mike Currid of the Edgartown Tour Company: what to expect, what you'll learn, and how to book.
Martha's Vineyard with kids: best beaches, Flying Horses Carousel, free VTA buses, kid-friendly restaurants, rainy day plans, and family budget tips.
The free island library · 2026
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.
Get the free guides
Island prices, hours and details change often. Please verify with businesses before you go. Full disclaimer
The island right now
3:10 AMisland time
Three free downloads · 2026
The island guides, in your inbox
The Beach Guide, The Vineyard in the Fall and Where to Stay. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
