Lucy Vincent Beach on Martha's Vineyard: clay cliffs, surf and how access works
Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard has towering clay cliffs behind you, some of the best surf on the island in front, and a clothing-optional section at the far end. It's also one of the hardest beaches to get onto in summer. Below is what's here and how access works.
Lucy Vincent · the sea stack
A clay sea stack standing on the sand, open ocean behind it. Chilmark keeps this beach for residents in summer.
Plate 01
For more detail, our complete Lucy Vincent Beach guide covers parking costs, cliff geology, clothing-optional history, rip current safety, and off-season visiting tips.
Why visit Lucy Vincent Beach?
How access works in 2026
Know Before You Go
Getting on the sand
SUMMER
Roughly June 1 to September 15 the beach is open only to Chilmark residents, property owners and their guests.
STICKER
A vehicle beach pass must be displayed on the passenger-side rear window. A valid lease or proof of ownership is required to get one.
ON FOOT
Walk-on passes ($25) cover Chilmark residents, their tenants and guests arriving on foot, by bicycle or by motorcycle; they are not sold to the general public.
OFF-SEASON
Roughly September 16 to May 31 the beach is open to everyone, with no pass and no fee. This is the window for non-residents.
HOURS AND RULES
Chilmark’s posted rules: the beach is open 9 AM to 7 PM, and dogs, fishing and climbing on the cliffs or dunes are not allowed.
ENFORCEMENT
The summer restriction is enforced. Dates shift from year to year, so a call to Chilmark Town Hall before the drive up-island is worth it.
Things to do
A 
B 
C Lucy Vincent · three studies Plate 02
A: two sea stacks on the sand, one close up and one standing free; B: the cracked clay bank running down to the water; C: the low sun coming through behind the stack, the light photographers wait for.
Questions
Questions about Lucy Vincent
Is Lucy Vincent Beach clothing-optional?
Yes, in part. The clothing-optional area is at the far end of the beach, a tradition dating back to its early days, while the main section stays family-friendly.
Can non-residents visit?
Usually only during the off-season, roughly September 16 to May 31. In summer, access requires a Chilmark-issued pass linked to residency, property ownership or tenancy.
What makes it different from other island beaches?
Clay cliffs, real surf, sand formations that reshape every year, and the clothing-optional tradition, all on one beach. The summer limits also keep it far less crowded.
When is the best time for photography?
Sunrise. Low morning light hits the clay cliffs directly and throws long shadows across the sand formations.
Know Before You Go
Tips for visiting Lucy Vincent
PLAN AHEAD
If you are not a Chilmark resident, the off-season is your window, when the beach is open to everyone.
THE RULES
The access rules and the clothing-optional section both come with expectations, and keeping to them makes the day easy for everyone.
BRING SUPPLIES
Facilities are limited; water, snacks and sun protection come with you.
BRING A CAMERA
The cliffs and the sand formations are the draw, and sunrise gives the best light on both.
CHECK THE WEATHER
Clay cliffs are slippery when wet.
Keep Reading
Nearby on the island
More of Martha's Vineyard
See how Lucy Vincent compares with the island's other beaches. Access rules, parking, and crowds vary a lot from beach to beach. Explore more beaches
More photos: our Lucy Vincent Beach gallery.
From Our Lens Cliffs, surf and long west light. 16 photographs · View the beach galleries
+12 All photographs by MV Vacation, taken during on-island filming and field research. Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Lucy Vincent and the Chilmark shore on film
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Free download · 2026 edition
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Twenty of the island’s best-known beaches (parking, stickers, dog rules, lifeguards and safety) in a ten-page guide you can keep on your phone, with a printable cheat sheet and a phone field card inside. Checked for the 2026 season.
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