Martha's Vineyard Jaws Tour: Walk the Real Amity Island with a Local Guide
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.
Vineyard Haven is Martha's Vineyard's most walkable port town: everything from a century-old bookstore to a working wooden boatyard sits within a ten-minute stroll of the Steamship Authority ferry terminal. Step off the ferry, turn right, and you'll find a Main Street rebuilt from ashes, a harbor full of tall ships, and one of the best independent bookstores in America, all before lunch.
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Starting at the Ferry: Five Corners
The walk starts where everyone lands: Five Corners, the busy little junction just up from the ferry slip.
The Black Dog General Store and Bakery at 3 Water Street opens at 5:30 a.m., the island's best grab-and-go for early arrivals. Walk two blocks south to Five Corners, the island's most notorious intersection where five streets converge without a traffic light. At 4 Lagoon Pond Road: Martha's Bike Rentals (since 1989), the most convenient rental for ferry arrivals with hybrids, e-bikes, and island-wide delivery.
Main Street: Rebuilt from the 1883 Fire
The Great Fire of August 11, 1883 destroyed 62 buildings across Main Street. The current streetscape is predominantly late-Victorian commercial architecture from the 1880s-1890s. It's short enough to walk end-to-end in ten minutes but dense enough to fill an afternoon.
Key stops:Bunch of Grapes Bookstore at 23 Main Street: one of America's most celebrated independent bookstores, founded in 1964, winner of the 2002 National Bookseller of the Year award. A regular stop for President Obama during summer visits. Brickman's (8 Main Street) has been a warren of clothing, shoes, and toys since 1913. C.B. Stark Jewelers (53 Main Street) has crafted signature MV charms for 40+ years. Louisa Gould Gallery (54 Main Street) represents 50+ artists year-round.
Sunny-day lunch:Fish MV (80 Main Street) has the best outdoor seat in town, a harbor-view patio with tacos and raw bar. Waterside Market (82 Main Street) does year-round lobster rolls with heated outdoor tables. Bobby B's (22 Main Street) serves Italian food, pizza, and homemade ice cream.
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The Waterfront: Black Dog, Tall Ships, and a Working Boatyard
Down on the waterfront: the Black Dog under its schooner flag, the tall ships at the dock, a harbor that still lands working boats.
The Black Dog Tavern at 20 Beach Street Extension has anchored the waterfront since New Year's Day, 1971. Founded by Captain Robert S. Douglas (who passed away April 23, 2025, at age 93), it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round with sweeping harbor views.
Adjacent Black Dog Wharf is the departure point for the schooner Alabama, a 126-foot tall ship built in 1926, offering three-hour afternoon and sunset sails. The schooner Shenandoah (108 feet, the only topsail schooner of her size operating without an engine in the world) has called Vineyard Haven home since 1964. 2026 is confirmed as her final sailing season, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her under sail.
Further along Beach Road, Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway (30A Beach Road) is a working wooden boatyard founded in 1980 that has built over 80 hulls. The marine railway is visible from the waterfront, a beloved landmark.
Owen Park: The Best Sunny-Day Spot
The turnaround is Owen Park: a lawn running down to the harbor, a little beach, and the best free view in town.
Owen Park is a five-minute walk (0.3 miles) from the ferry. The park slopes from Main Street to a calm harbor beach protected by a large breakwater, excellent for families, with no big waves. Facilities include lifeguards in summer, a swimming float, playground, public restrooms, and a bandstand hosting free Sunday evening concerts in July-August. The grassy slope is one of the best spots in town for a harbor-view picnic.
More Sunny-Day Activities
End with a swim, an ice cream, or a coffee on the water. The sunny-day loop is an easy hour or two.
Kayaking:Wind's Up! at 199 Beach Road has been renting kayaks, SUPs, and sailboats on the calm waters of Lagoon Pond since 1962. Call (508) 693-4252 to confirm 2026 status.
Biking: The paved bike path from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs (about 6 miles along Beach Road) passes open water views of State Beach. One of the island's best rides, mostly flat. The full down-island loop connecting all three towns covers roughly 16 miles.
West Chop Lighthouse: A 2-mile walk (35-45 min) northwest from the ferry through an upscale residential neighborhood. The lighthouse grounds are closed to the public (the only MV lighthouse not open to visitors), but you can view and photograph it from the street. East Chop Lighthouse in Oak Bluffs (2+ miles east, open to visitors with sunset tours) is the more rewarding visit.
How Long Does It Take?
Everything in the core area (Five Corners, Main Street, Owen Park, the waterfront) clusters within half a mile of the ferry. A comprehensive walking tour covering the terminal, Main Street browsing, Owen Park, the waterfront and Black Dog complex takes approximately 4 to 5 hours with stops for eating and shopping. Adding the West Chop detour adds 1.5-2 hours. A full day from the morning ferry to the late-afternoon return easily accommodates everything.
For getting around without a car, the VTA bus is fare-free through September 2026 and stops right at the terminal. Check our live webcams to see current harbor conditions before you visit.
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.
