The African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard: Sites, Stories and Tours (2026)
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.
Sengekontacket Pond covers 745 acres between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown: a tidal, brackish lagoon stretching 2.5 miles with an average depth of just 3–4 feet on the flats. Separated from Nantucket Sound by State Beach and Beach Road, the pond is one of Martha's Vineyard's richest ecosystems for birds, kayaking, and shellfishing.
Current note (verified August 18, 2026): the Town of Oak Bluffs closed Sengekontacket Pond to shellfishing on July 7, 2026 pending further water-quality testing, while Lagoon Pond and outside waters remain open. That is a shellfishing closure, not a swimming advisory. Check the town's website for the current status before harvesting.
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The Jaws Connection
The American Legion Memorial Bridge ("Jaws Bridge") spans the larger of two tidal inlets at the Oak Bluffs/Edgartown town line. In Jaws, the shark swims through this channel into the pond while Chief Brody's son watches from a sailboat. Two kids with a cardboard fin distracted the beach guards, allowing the shark to pass, one of the film's most iconic sequences. Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) sprints along the stone quay perpendicular to the bridge, which is still visible today. Caution: the channel current is deceptively strong and has caused drowning deaths.
Birdwatching and Ecology
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (a 194-acre Mass Audubon property at 100 Felix Neck Drive, Edgartown) borders the pond and has recorded over 100 bird species. Key species include: osprey (over 100 nesting pairs on the island), great and snowy egrets, herons, federally protected piping plovers and least terns, cormorants, barn owls, and kingfishers. Bioluminescence is visible on select summer nights. Felix Neck trails are open dawn to dusk ($4/adult, free for Mass Audubon members).
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Kayaking
One of the best kayaking spots on the island due to calm, shallow, sheltered waters:
- Island Spirit Kayak at Little Bridge on State Beach: single and tandem kayak rentals in 3-hour slots, plus kids' kayak camps (ages 7–14)
- Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary: guided naturalist-led kayak tours, moonlight/sunset paddles ($50–$85/person), and self-guided quests
Fishing and Shellfishing
Bay scallops and quahogs are the primary shellfish species (town permit required). Scallop season: October 1–March/April, hand harvest and diving only; no dragging permitted. The pond is closed to shellfishing June through September due to elevated bacteria counts. Striped bass, bluefish, and scup are caught near the inlets, especially during the annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby (September–October).
For the full car-free guide, State Beach and Sengekontacket Pond are accessible via VTA Route 13 and the Beach Road bike path.
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 Day · Timing
Visit Edgartown on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Same beautiful town, maybe 30% of the weekend crowds. Most restaurants have availability without reservations.
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.
