Top Summer Activities on Martha's Vineyard 2024

Martha's Vineyard is at its best in summer: beaches open, harbors full, every town running at full speed. The island has enough going on to fill a week without repeating yourself. This guide covers the top summer activities on Martha's Vineyard so you can plan your 2024 trip.

Exploring the Beaches

The beaches are the main event, and they differ more than first-timers expect. Pick by what you want to do.

South Beach (Katama Beach)

South Beach, also known as Katama Beach, is a three-mile stretch facing the open Atlantic. Expect:

• Open ocean views
• Strong waves, good for surfing and boogie boarding
• More elbow room than the in-town beaches

State Beach

State Beach, stretching between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, is the family pick. You get:

• Calm water for swimming
• A shallow bottom that's safe for children
• The famous Jaws Bridge, if you're feeling brave

Menemsha Beach

Menemsha Beach is the fishing-village option. Here you can:

• Watch fishing boats come in with their daily catch
• Catch one of the best sunsets on the island
• Buy fresh seafood from the local fish markets

Town Exploration

Each of Martha's Vineyard's six towns has a different feel. The stops worth your time in each:

Edgartown

Edgartown's downtown draws the biggest crowds, and earns them. Worth a stop:

• The Edgartown Lighthouse
• Shopping along Main Street
• Dining at one of the many waterfront restaurants

Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs is the loudest and most colorful of the towns. While you're there:

• Visit the colorful gingerbread cottages
• Ride the Flying Horses Carousel, the nation's oldest operating carousel
• Stroll down Circuit Avenue for shopping and dining

Vineyard Haven

Vineyard Haven, also known as Tisbury, is the island's working port town. Highlights include:

• The Martha's Vineyard Museum
• Owen Park Beach
• The Black Dog Tavern, a local institution

Aquinnah

Aquinnah, home to the Wampanoag Tribe, is worth the long drive up-island. See:

• The Gay Head Lighthouse
• The colorful clay cliffs
• Aquinnah Beach, also known as Moshup Beach (admire the cliffs from the sand at a distance: this is Wampanoag tribal land, and climbing them or taking the clay is illegal)

Chilmark

Chilmark, all rolling hills and farmland, is home to:

• Menemsha fishing village
• Lucy Vincent Beach (restricted to Chilmark residents in summer)
• The Allen Farm Sheep and Wool Company

West Tisbury

West Tisbury is the island's farm town. Don't skip:

• The West Tisbury Farmers Market
• Alley's General Store, the oldest operating retailer on the island
• Long Point Wildlife Refuge

Outdoor Activities

There's plenty to do once you're off the sand.

Biking

Biking is one of the best ways to explore the island. Popular routes include:

• The State Forest Loop
• The Edgartown-Oak Bluffs Loop
• The Up-Island Route through West Tisbury and Chilmark

Hiking

The island has hiking trails for all skill levels. Some favorites:

• Menemsha Hills Reservation
• Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary
• Fulling Mill Brook Preserve

Water Sports

You're surrounded by water. Use it:

• Kayaking and paddleboarding in Edgartown Harbor or Menemsha Pond
• Surfing at South Beach or Squibnocket Beach
• Sailing lessons or charters from Vineyard Haven Harbor

Cultural Experiences

A few indoor stops are worth planning around, especially on a cloudy day.

Martha's Vineyard Museum

The Martha's Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven covers the island's history. Exhibits include:

• The island's maritime history
• The Native American heritage
• The African American experience on Martha's Vineyard

Aquinnah Cultural Center

Learn about the Wampanoag Tribe's history and culture at the Aquinnah Cultural Center. The center offers:

• Educational exhibits
• Cultural demonstrations
• Guided tours of the Aquinnah Cliffs

Art Galleries

Galleries are scattered across the island. A few to visit:

• Eisenhauer Gallery in Edgartown
• Alison Shaw Gallery in Oak Bluffs
• Granary Gallery in West Tisbury