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.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach stretches approximately 2 miles along Beach Road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard's northeastern shore. This barrier beach separates Sengekontacket Pond inland from Nantucket Sound on the ocean side, offering two completely different water experiences within steps of each other. The Edgartown end is locally known as Bend-in-the-Road Beach. The beach is publicly owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and managed by the County of Dukes County.
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Parking and Access
State Beach stretches two miles between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, and the roadside parking along it is free the entire way.
Free roadside pull-off parking runs the entire length of Beach Road, accommodating approximately 500 cars. There are no paid lots or meters. Limited accessible parking is available with a universal access ramp on the Oak Bluffs side. Parking fills up quickly on summer weekends, so arriving early is essential.
The VTA Route 13 (Edgartown–Oak Bluffs–Vineyard Haven via Beach Road) serves State Beach with stops along the route. As of 2025–2026, all VTA rides are free under a fare-free initiative funded by Massachusetts' Fair Share Amendment. Most buses have front-mounted bike racks.
The Jaws Bridge
A VTA route 13 bus crossing the bridge while anglers work the fishing pier below.
The American Legion Memorial Bridge, universally known as the "Jaws Bridge," crosses the tidal inlet connecting Sengekontacket Pond to Nantucket Sound at the Oak Bluffs/Edgartown town line. In Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975), filmed on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 1974, this bridge appeared in the famous estuary attack scene. State Beach itself was the filming location for the Alex Kintner beach attack scene (the boy on the rubber raft) and the crowd panic that followed.
The bridge is now famous for bridge jumping, but posted "No Jumping or Diving" signs prohibit it, and the channel current is deceptively strong as tidal water rushes in and out of the pond. Watch the jumpers from the sand instead.
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Water Conditions and Swimming
The water here is Nantucket Sound: shallow, warm and nearly always calm. It is the island’s safest swim for young kids.
The Nantucket Sound side offers calm, clear, shallow water with a gradual slope, excellent for families. Small waves; can get rough on windy days. The pond side is very calm and sheltered with an average depth of 3–4 feet, ideal for SUP and kayaking.
Lifeguards are posted at the Edgartown/Bend-in-the-Road end during summer season, with a roped-in swim area and sandbar. The rest of the 2-mile stretch is unguarded. The lifeguard season typically runs late June through Labor Day.
The Bike Path
The paved bike path runs the length of State Beach between Beach Road and the dunes.
The shared-use path runs right behind the sand the whole length of the beach, so you can ride over from either town and skip the parking hunt altogether.
A dedicated, paved bike path runs alongside Beach Road on the pond side for the full stretch, connecting Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The path is flat, scenic, and suitable for all skill levels with views of both the pond and Nantucket Sound. This is one of the most popular cycling routes on Martha's Vineyard. Read our complete guide to getting around without a car.
Facilities and Dog Policy
This is a natural, minimally developed beach. There are no permanent restrooms or concession stands on the beach. The nearest restrooms are at the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority terminal. Mobile food trucks sometimes operate near the bridge area in summer. A carry-in/carry-out trash policy is enforced.
Dog policy: April 1–August 31: dogs strictly prohibited (piping plover and least tern nesting season). September: dogs prohibited 9 AM–5 PM. October 1–March 31: dogs allowed at any time but must be on-leash.
Best Time to Visit
Peak swimming is July and August. Early morning or after 4 PM offers quieter conditions even in peak season. Late June and September provide warm water with fewer crowds. Wind typically picks up after noon.
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Continue Exploring Martha's Vineyard
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
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is almost empty before 9 AM and after 4 PM. Dawn is best for birding: osprey are active at first light. Trails open dawn to dusk. $4 admission.
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.
