Every major beach at a glance
| Beach | Town | Access in summer | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Sylvia State Beach | Oak Bluffs to Edgartown | Public | Two miles of calm water along Beach Road; free roadside parking fills early. |
| Bend in the Road | Edgartown | Public | The Edgartown end of State Beach, on the bike path; lifeguards in season. |
| South Beach (Katama) | Edgartown | Public | Atlantic surf, free parking, reachable by bike path and bus; strong currents at times. |
| Lighthouse Beach | Edgartown | Public | Calm harbor beach by the Edgartown Lighthouse. |
| East Beach and Wasque | Chappaquiddick | Public, Trustees fee in season | Wild barrier beaches via the Chappy Ferry; no lifeguards. |
| Oak Bluffs Town Beach and the Inkwell | Oak Bluffs | Public | Calm water, walkable from the ferry; lifeguards in season. |
| Eastville Beach | Oak Bluffs | Public | Small and calm, by the drawbridge. |
| Owen Park Beach | Vineyard Haven | Public | Harbor beach near the ferry. |
| Lake Tashmoo and Herring Creek | Vineyard Haven | Public | Calm lake water and Sound views. |
| Lambert’s Cove | West Tisbury | Residents and renters in summer | Soft sand, calm water. Renters buy a pass with a lease. |
| Long Point | West Tisbury | Public, Trustees parking pass | Ocean beach and pond; buy parking online ahead in summer. |
| Lucy Vincent | Chilmark | Chilmark residents and renters in summer | Cliffs and surf. Renters buy a pass with a lease. |
| Squibnocket | Chilmark | Chilmark residents and renters in summer | Up-island surf beach. |
| Menemsha Beach | Chilmark | Public | The sunset beach, by the fishing village. |
| Moshup Beach | Aquinnah | Public, paid town lot | Below the clay cliffs; walk down from the lot. |
| Philbin Beach | Aquinnah | Residents and renters, permit in season | Renters can buy a permit with a rental agreement. |
| Lobsterville Beach | Aquinnah | Public, very limited parking | Calm Sound water, popular with anglers. |
Renting a home? Your beach pass
Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches are reserved in summer for residents and the people renting homes in that town. If you rent in one of these towns, you can usually buy your own pass with a copy of your lease:
- Chilmark (Lucy Vincent, Squibnocket): sticker or walk-on pass with a valid lease showing the property address. Chilmark beach information.
- West Tisbury (Lambert’s Cove): your own pass, with a lease showing dates, owner and renter names and the address. West Tisbury beaches.
- Aquinnah (Philbin): a parking permit or walk-on pass for the length of your stay, with your rental agreement. Aquinnah permits.
Your lease is in your Guest Hub, ready to show at the town office. Passes are sold to renters directly, and owners can’t buy them for you.
Best beaches for young kids
- Joseph Sylvia State Beach: warm, calm, shallow water and room to spread out.
- Oak Bluffs Town Beach and Owen Park: calm and close to town.
- Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown: calm harbor water.
- Lambert’s Cove, if you are renting in West Tisbury.
Best for surf and big views
- South Beach (Katama): the island’s big Atlantic beach. Watch for currents.
- Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket in Chilmark, for renters there.
- Moshup Beach below the Aquinnah Cliffs.
- Long Point, with a pond on one side and the ocean on the other.
Sunset beaches
The Vineyard faces west at its up-island end, so the sunsets are there: Menemsha Beach is the classic (arrive early, it’s popular), and the beaches below the Aquinnah Cliffs are spectacular.
Questions we hear
Are Martha’s Vineyard beaches public?
Many are, including State Beach, South Beach, Menemsha and the town beaches in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Some up-island beaches, such as Lucy Vincent, Squibnocket, Lambert’s Cove and Philbin, are for residents and renters in summer.
How do renters get a Lucy Vincent Beach pass?
If you are renting a home in Chilmark, buy a sticker or walk-on pass from the town with your lease. The lease must show the exact property address.
Which Martha’s Vineyard beach is best for families?
Joseph Sylvia State Beach, between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, for its calm, warm and shallow water.
Are dogs allowed on Vineyard beaches?
Rules vary by beach and season, and many beaches don’t allow dogs in summer. Check the town or property before you go.
Updated October 2026. Hours, seasons and rules change: check with each business or town before you go.