Martha's Vineyard Beaches

Martha’s Vineyard is an island, so we’ve got beaches a-plenty! From the calmer waters of the northern shores to the rumbling surf of the south shores, there’s a beach for every type of visitor.

There are numerous public beaches, but not all beaches are open to the public. Some require permits issued through town halls to residents and visitors of specific towns. All beaches are Carry In, Carry Out – so be sure to take your trash with you!

It’s important to know that the majority of beaches do not allow dogs during the summer, and many of the beaches that are open to the public have strict guidelines for dogs. For example, popular State Beach, including Sengekontacket Pond, prohibit dogs at all times between the dates of April 1 to August 31, and in September, dogs are not permitted between the hours of 9 am - 5 pm. To learn the specific dog guidelines of each beach, be sure to check: individual town websites (more information here Island 411); Trustees of Reservations; Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank; and Dukes County. There are different restrictions in each area based on season, time of day, and to protect birds during nesting season.

beaches map

Aquinnah

Aquinnah cliffs

1. Gay Head Cliffs and Beach

Gay Head Beach in Aquinnah is one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most spectacular coastal landscapes, celebrated for its dramatic clay cliffs, sweeping ocean views, and remarkable natural beauty. While the beach itself is not open for recreational use, this special area is protected to help preserve its fragile environment. Visitors can take in the breathtaking scenery from nearby overlooks and enjoy the beauty of the Gay Head Cliffs while helping protect this treasured landscape for generations to come.

Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach)

2. Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach)

Moshup Beach in Aquinnah is a spectacular place to experience the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, where rolling Atlantic waves meet the dramatic Gay Head Cliffs. The beach offers sweeping ocean views and a stunning backdrop of colorful clay cliffs rising above the shore. Open to the public year-round, Moshup Beach has public bathrooms near the parking lot and at the beach entrance, making it an easy and enjoyable destination for a day by the water. Dogs are welcome from September 16 through May 15.

Philbin Beach

4. Philbin Beach

Philbin Beach is a beautiful Atlantic-facing beach in Aquinnah, offering a peaceful setting and plenty of natural beauty. A scenic raised boardwalk leads from the parking area to the shore, making the walk to the beach part of the experience. With its rolling surf, Philbin is a wonderful spot for swimming, fishing, beachcombing, or simply enjoying the sound of the waves. The beach is open to the public from mid-September through mid-June, providing a quieter alternative to Aquinnah’s busy summer beaches. There are no restrooms, so visitors should plan accordingly. Dogs are welcome on the beach during the off-season.

Chilmark

Menemsha Public Beach

6. Menemsha Public Beach

Right next to Menemsha Harbor, this welcoming public beach is a wonderful place to enjoy clear, calm waters and beautiful views across the Sound. Open to everyone year-round, it is a great choice for families, especially those looking for a more relaxed beach experience. The ocean entry can be rocky, so water shoes can be helpful for young swimmers and anyone with sensitive feet. When you’re ready for a snack or lunch, Menemsha’s markets and takeout restaurants are just a short walk away. Public bathrooms are available, and during the summer months, a lifeguard is on duty. Dogs are not permitted on the beach.

Squibnocket Beach

7. Squibnocket Beach

Squibnocket Beach is a beautiful south-facing stretch of shoreline in Chilmark, known for its expansive views and powerful Atlantic surf. The beach is fully open to the public from Labor Day through June 14, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the quieter side of the Island. During the summer season, non-residents are welcome daily after 5:30 p.m. There are no public restrooms, so plan ahead before settling in for the day. Dogs are not permitted during the summer season but are welcome off-leash during the off-season

Oak Bluffs

Eastville Beach

8. Eastville Beach

Eastville Point Beach is a convenient and scenic stop between Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs, located just beyond the drawbridge along Beach Road. This beach is open year-round to the public and is popular for its easy parking, mostly sandy shoreline, calm waters, and views of Vineyard Haven Harbor . It is a great choice for a quick swim or fishing. There are no restrooms. Dog owners should note that dogs are not permitted on Vineyard Haven beaches during the posted summer beach hours; dogs are allowed during the off-season.

Oak Bluffs Town Beach

9. Oak Bluffs Town Beach

Oak Bluffs Town Beach is one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most convenient beaches, stretching along Seaview Avenue beginning at the jetty at the harbor. It is open year-round to the public. This east facing Nantucket Sound shoreline offers gentle water and a sandy beach. It is an easy walk from the center of town. There is a portion with a lifeguard and handicapped mats and ramps. Dog owners should note that Oak Bluffs prohibits dogs on public beaches from May 15 through September 15 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; dogs are permitted outside those hours, provided they remain under their owner’s control.

Inkwell Beach is a culturally significant beaches, offering visitors a wonderful blend of Island history, community, and classic seaside beauty. Open to the public year-round, it is conveniently located along Seaview Avenue, just south of the Steamship Authority terminal and adjacent to Waban Park. With soft sand and calm waters, it is a welcoming spot for families to enjoy a swim or relax by the shore. A cherished Island tradition, the Polar Bears Club has brought people together at Inkwell Beach for nearly 80 years, gathering throughout the summer for early-morning swims, exercise, and camaraderie. Visitors are warmly invited to join in the tradition. There are no public bathrooms at the beach. Dogs are not permitted from May 15 through September 15 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Joseph Sylvia State Beach

10. Joseph Sylvia State Beach

This popular east facing barrier beach separates the calm, shallow waters of Sengekontacket Pond from the ocean. The beach is open to the public year-round with parking along Beach Road. There are handicapped access points. The calm waters make this an excellent choice for families and swimmers of all skill levels. There are no restrooms. Dogs are prohibited on State Beach from April 1 through August 31; from September 1–15, dogs are not permitted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dogs are allowed on leash from October 1 through March 31

Vineyard Haven

Lake Tashmoo Town Beach

11. Lake Tashmoo Town Beach

The sheltered lake offers calm, shallow water, while the Sound side provides a refreshing saltwater swim and beautiful views toward the Elizabeth Islands. It is open to all year-round. Parking is limited and the final approach is along a long, bumpy dirt road. A lifeguard is on duty during the summer season. Dogs are not permitted on the beach during the summer season and are allowed during the off-season, subject to Tisbury’s posted regulations. Portable toilets are available seasonally in the Lake Tashmoo area.

Owen Park Beach

12. Owen Park Beach

Owen Park Beach is a family-friendly harbor beach, conveniently located just a short walk off Main Street. It is open to all year-round. Sheltered by Vineyard Haven Harbor and the breakwater, its calm, shallow water makes it a popular spot for swimming and families, while the surrounding park offers a small playground, picnic areas, bandstand, and harbor views. The park has public restrooms, an outdoor rinse-off shower, and wheelchair access. Dogs are not permitted during the summer season. The park’s newly replaced Town Pier extends into the harbor, providing a scenic place to watch boats, enjoy the waterfront, and access the town’s mooring field.

Tisbury Town Beach

13. Tisbury Town Beach

Owen Little Way Beach, also known as Tisbury Town Beach, is a small, east facing, peaceful, sandy beach down Main Street and then at the end of Owen Little Way. It is open to all year-round. With calm water, a swim platform and ladder, a picnic bench, and limited free parking, it is a lovely spot for a quiet swim or a relaxing afternoon away from the busier beaches. The town lists the beach as wheelchair accessible. There are no public toilet facilities at Owen Little Way Beach. Dogs are not permitted on the beach during the summer season.

West Tisbury

Lambert’s Cove Beach

14. Lambert’s Cove Beach

Lambert’s Cove Beach is a beautiful, west-facing beach, known for its soft sand, calm water, wooded approach, and spectacular sunsets. It is open to the general public during the off-season, from September 15 through June 15 and is accessed on Lambert’s Cove Road. The calm waters allow swimmers of all levels to access the water. There are no bathrooms. Dogs are welcome throughout the off-season. Dog owners should keep pets leashed along the parking area and path and follow posted beach rules.

Long Point Beach (at Wildlife Refuge)

15. Long Point Beach (at Wildlife Refuge)

Long Point Wildlife Refuge in West Tisbury, which is open to all . It is a beautiful combination of Atlantic Ocean surf, calm waters along Long Cove Pond, and trails through protected coastal habitat. Swimmers need to stay alert to the power of this south facing ocean beach. The refuge provides portable restrooms and a foot-washing station during the summer. Dogs are not permitted anywhere at Long Point Wildlife Refuge year-round, helping protect its sensitive wildlife habitat. Though summer access is managed through timed reservations and admission fees; in the off-season, visitors can use the winter entrance via Deep Bottom Road, with free access and no reservation required.

Edgartown

East Beach (Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation)

16. East Beach (Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation)

East Beach, also known as Leland Beach, is a remote stretch of oceanfront on Chappaquiddick. One must take the Chappaquiddick Ferry from Dock Street in Edgartown to access Chappaquiddick. The beach is open to the public, with pedestrians and bicyclists admitted free, while visitors arriving by car pay an entrance fee during the season. East Beach is a particularly appealing destination for surf fishing and beachcombing. Public restrooms are available in the surrounding Trustees-managed properties. Dogs are not permitted on the beach from April 1 through September 30; during the rest of the year, dogs may accompany visitors on the beach, subject to leash rules.

Wasque is a spectacular, ever-changing coastal reservation on the southeastern tip of Chappaquiddick, where sweeping beaches, dunes, and shifting sands create a wonderful experience. Wasque is open to the public daily. The Trustees provide public restrooms. Dogs are not permitted on the beach from April 1 through September 30; from October 1 through March 31, dogs may accompany visitors on the beach but must be kept on leash. Many seeking world class fishing from shore can be found at Wasque. Because currents around Wasque Point can be extremely strong, swimming, especially for young people, is discouraged.

For an unforgettable Chappaquiddick adventure, visitors with a properly equipped four-wheel-drive vehicle can drive for miles along the Island’s remote barrier beaches through designated over-sand vehicle (OSV) areas. A current OSV permit is required.

Fuller Street Beach

17. Fuller Street Beach

Fuller Street Beach is a public beach at the end of Fuller Street offering a peaceful stretch of sand and views across Edgartown Harbor toward Chappaquiddick. This beach connects to Lighthouse beach making for a scenic walk. The beach is open to the public year-round, but parking is extremely limited, with only a handful of spaces at the end of Fuller Street, making it easiest to walk or bike from downtown Edgartown. Dogs are permitted year-round when kept on a leash. With its convenient location and harbor views, Fuller Street is a lovely spot for a quiet swim, beach walk, or sunset stroll.

Katama Beach (South Beach)

18. Katama Beach (South Beach)

South Beach, also known as Katama Beach, is a spectacular stretch of Atlantic shoreline with wide sandy beaches, rolling dunes, and powerful surf. The beach is open to the public with no admission fee, and visitors can reach it from Katama Road or Herring Creek Road; parking is free. Lifeguards and park patrol are on duty during the summer season, and portable public restrooms are available. Dogs are not permitted at any time. The strong surf and occasional rip currents make swimming near the lifeguarded areas especially important and is discouraged for less experienced swimmers.

Norton Point Beach offers the rare opportunity to drive directly onto the sand in a properly equipped four-wheel-drive vehicle. The 2.5-mile barrier beach separates Katama Bay from the Atlantic Ocean and provides access to stretches of white sand shoreline that are difficult to reach on foot. A current Norton Point Beach sticker/over sand vehicle authorization is required. Drivers should be prepared for true beach driving, including lowering tire pressure and carrying required recovery equipment.