The best part of any island destination are the beaches, and Martha’s Vineyard is no exception. With over 120 miles of shoreline to explore, this island is packed with a variety of gorgeous beaches. Some are perfect for swimming and surfing, others make for incredible beach walks, and some are wonderful for both.
This guide is all about the absolute best beaches on Martha’s Vineyard, and I’ve included some expert tips of parking, when you need a beach sticker to visit, facilities at beach beach and more to help you plan the perfect beach day on the island. Let’s jump in!
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How Many Beaches Are On Martha’s Vineyard?
There are around 20 beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. Many are open to the public, and some are for residents only in the summer season. But if you’re looking for clarification, you’re in luck, because I breakdown down all the details you need for each of the beaches on this list below!
Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyard
In no particular order (okay, well maybe except for the first one 😉),
here are my picks for the most beautiful beaches on Martha’s Vineyard you just have to see.
1. South Beach (Katama Beach)
If you only see one beach on Martha’s Vineyard, let it be South Beach. Also sometimes called Katama Beach, the 3-mile long South Beach is truly spectacular. And even though it’s probably the most popular beach on the island, it’s so worth the crowds to see.
Despite the fact that it draws in lots of visitors in the summer season, it’s such a large beach that you usually have plenty of room to spread out, so don’t let its popularity deter you from visiting.
As a barrier beach, South Beach actually has two sides: one along the wavier Atlantic Ocean side, and one along the calmer Katama Bay side. While I think the most breathtaking part of the beach is definitely the Atlantic side, all part of it are honestly gorgeous.
South Beach has super soft sand that’s perfect for walking, and also tends to be wavy, so pack your boogie board and enjoy the surf. This is also a great sunset spot on the island!
South Beach can be found in Edgartown, which just so happens to be one of the most charming and beautiful towns long the New England coast.
South Beach Parking: Free for all year-round, including in the summer – no sticker or permits required. Spots can fill up quickly in the summer, though, so you’ll want to arrive by 10am to get a spot.
Bathrooms: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes, in season
2. Moshup Beach (Aquinnah Beach)
Out in Aquinnah, one of the most impressive beaches is Moshup Beach, which is also sometimes called Aquinnah Beach. This is the beach that’s directly under the famous cliffs, so if you’re visiting the area, which includes Gay Head Lighthouse, you’ll definitely want to consider taking a walk, or spending the day, on Moshup Beach.
Once you’re on the shoreline of Moshup, you’ll really feel just how tall the Aquinnah Cliffs are, and it’s such a breathtakingly beautiful spot. While the shoreline here can be a little rocky, it’s mostly sandy, and the perfect place for one of the most scenic walks on the island.
To access the beach, you’ll need to walk down a longer path through a field, so those with mobility issues will want to keep this in mind.
Moshup Beach Parking: There’s a lot for the beach located about 1 minute from the cliffs and lighthouse parking. You can find it around these GPS coordinates (but there should also be signs): 41.341419333469794, -70.83152879122062. The cliffs and lighthouse parking is only 2 hours, so if you want to spend more than 2 hours on the beach, you’ll need to park at the beach lot.
There is a fee to park at the beach lot, which starts in mid-June, and goes through Labor Day. As of 2023, the daily parking fee is $30, and only credit cards are accepted.
Bathrooms: No
Lifeguards: No
3. Menemsha Public Beach
Located in the cute little fishing village of Menemsha, the Menemsha Public Beach is a great one to visit if you’re hoping to plan the perfect beach picnic. Not only is it a famous sunset spot on the island, but it’s just down the street from two of the best seafood places on Martha’s Vineyard: Menemsha Fish Market and Larsen’s Fish Market. Grab a lobster roll (or whatever you’re feelin’ that day!) and head to the beach!
While this beach is on the smaller side, compared to some of the others on this list, it’s got very soft sand for walking, and has some really pretty views to enjoy during your visit.
And as mentioned, this is probably the premier sunset spot on the island, so arrive early to grab your spot, and enjoy one of the best beach sunsets in the region!
Menemsha Beach Parking: Parking is free, but is very limited. See my notes below on parking at this beach!
Bathrooms: Public restrooms are down the street, close to the fish markets. It’s a quick walk from the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes, in the summers only.
My Tips For Visiting Menemsha Beach: I do think sunset is the best time to visit, but it can be very difficult to find parking just before sunset. I recommend arriving a few hours after lunch to get a spot, and then spend the rest of your day there until sunset. At any point, you can walk over to the fish markets for dinner, and enjoy it during sunset!
4. Philbin Beach
Located in Aquinnah, Philbin Beach is one you definitely want to see during your visit. This is is a bit tough for those visiting in the summer, and aren’t renting on the island, but if you visit outside of the summer season, it’s such a beautiful part of the island to discover.
To get to the beach, you’ll cross a scenic boardwalk which leads you to the sand dunes. You’ll have to climb up the sand dunes a bit to access the beach, but if you go to the left, that climb is much easier than the path to the right. The path on the right, however, offers incredible panoramic views of the shoreline, and the Aquinnah Cliffs in the distance.
The sand here is super soft, and you can walk for miles on the shoreline.
Philbin Beach Parking: June 15-Labor Day, beach parking is limited to residents and renters only, and you must apply for a beach sticker permit to enter with a car, or on foot. For this reason, you won’t be able to visit this beach in the summer unless you’re staying on the island, and have applied for a permit. If you’re renting a place in the area, I highly suggest getting a beach sticker to enjoy this beach!
However, if you visit outside of the summer months, anyone can park in the lot. And from what I understand, you may also be able to visit after 5pm in the summer season without a permit. I haven’t been able to confirm this, but I have heard that’s the case!
Bathrooms: No
Lifeguards: No
5. Joseph Sylvia State Beach
A beautiful and convenient beach to visit if you’re staying near Oak Bluffs or Edgartown is Joseph Sylvia State Beach. Sitting right on the border between these two towns, and very close to the famous Jaws Bridge, this is a great beach to visit because not only is it beautiful, but it’s easy to get to. The bus stops nearby the beach, and it’s not far from downtown Oak Bluffs.
This 2-mile long beach is perfect for those who don’t want the bigger waves found at beaches like South Beach. While the surf here isn’t always calm, the waves tend to be much smaller. The sand here is very soft, but there are some parts that can be rocky and covered in shells, so keep that in mind. Overall, it’s still a lovely beach for walking and collecting shells.
Joseph Sylvia Beach Parking: Free along the road. It fills up fast in the summer, so I recommend arriving before 10am to get a spot.
Bathrooms: No
Lifeguards: Only at the Edgartown end of the beach.
6. Lambert’s Cove Beach
In West Tisbury, you’ll find Lambert’s Cove Beach, and this beach has gorgeous, soft sand and some of the most clearest water on the island! While this beach is small, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in tranquility and scenery.
The shoreline here is perfectly soft and sandy, and you’ll hardly see any rocks, making this is a great beach for kids, and for taking long walks. And the beach is backdropped by rolling, sandy hills with beach grasses, which is exactly what you’d hope for when visiting a New England beach!
There is a short path through a wooded area that you have to walk through after the parking lot, so this is something to keep in mind when visiting.
Lambert Cove Beach Parking: Town residents and renters only in the summer season. Open to everyone the rest of the year.
Bathrooms: No
Lifeguards: Yes, in the summer season only.
7. East Beach
To visit East Beach, you’ll have to hop on the ferry to Chappaquiddick, but man, is it worth it! Probably one of the most secluded beaches on the island, East Beach is one of the best beach excursions you can take.
Popular with over-sand drivers, it’s also wonderful for swimming, fishing, or just long walks on the shoreline. And since it’s located on Chappy, you’ll almost never run into big crowds of people. You’ll also have to cross the famous Dikes Bridge to get to the beach, which is perfect for history buffs!
Getting To East Beach: As mentioned, you’ll need to hop on the Chappy ferry, which you can do with your car. The ferry only takes a few minutes to get to Chappy, and from there, it’s about a 10-minute drive to East Beach.
Fees To Visit East Beach: In addition to the cost of the ferry, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee to enter the beach and the land, as it’s owned by the Trustees. Your admission fee also gives you access to the nearby Japanese gardens.
East Beach Parking: Once you pay the free to enter, parking is free along the street.
Bathrooms: Only in the summer season
Lifeguards: No
8. Lucy Vincent Beach
Lucy Vincent is my favorite beach in Chilmark, and hopefully the above photo shows you why. While the bluffs here aren’t as high as the ones at Moshup Beach, the scenery is still stunning, and it’s a great beach for either spending the entire day, or going for a beautiful walk on the shore.
The sand here can be a bit rocky, but it’s generally pretty sandy closer to the shore. And the giant rock formations sticking out of the water make for awesome photos.
Parking At Lucy Vincent Beach: Parking is for residents and renters only June through mid-September. Even walk-on access is denied without a permit during this time. The beach is open to everyone the rest of the year, making this particularly amazing in the spring and fall.
Bathrooms: No
Lifeguards: No
9. Norton Point Beach
At the very tip of the South Beach barrier peninsula, and almost to Chappaquiddick, you’ll find the incredible Norton Point Point, which will having you feeling like you’re at the end of the world.
This beach is popular for over-sand driving, so if you’re visiting the island with a 4W vehicle, it’s worth looking into getting the appropriate permits to access this land. In fact, driving on the sand is really the best way to get to this beach, as it’s pretty far walk otherwise.
This beach is also wavy, much like South Beach, so you’ll want to be sure to bring your boogie boards with you for this excursion! And since it’s pretty secluded, the best way to make the most of your time here is to pack lots of snacks or a lunch, and plan to visit for at least a few hours, if not all afternoon.
This beach was owned by the Trustees until December 2022, and is now owned by the town of Edgartown. However, it was just approved in spring 2023 that the town will continue to allow over-sand driving at Norton Point.
Parking at Norton Point Beach: Technically, parking can be found at the South Beach lot, as there’s no direct access to Norton Point. The best way to get there is to obtain your over-sand driving permits, and drive to the beach.
There are no facilities at Norton Point.
10. Long Point Beach
In West Tisbury, the Long Point Wildlife Refuge, is home to Long Point Beach, another one of the best beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. Much like Long Point, this beach feels secluded and peaceful, and just like South Beach, Long Beach is a barrier beach with Atlantic surf one one side, and gentle surf on the other.
During your visit, you can not only visit the beach, but also the incredible sites around the wildlife refuge. There are scenic salt ponds and grasslands to explore, and this is, of course, a great place to spot wildlife. You can even rent kayaks and paddle boards on-site to explore the salt ponds.
But the beach is one of the best parts about this piece of land. The surf out here is a bit rough on the ocean side, so it’s perfect for surfing and boogie boarding. And the coastline is absolutely stunning.
Parking At Long Point Beach: There is a fee to enter the wildlife refuge. Click here to visit their website, and click on “admission” on the left-side menu for pricing. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about .25 miles through a field, so keep that in mind.
Pro Tips: You’ll likely want a 4×4 vehicle to visit Long Point, as the drive to the beach parking lot from the gate entrance is a 1-mile, bumpy dirt road. Mid-June. through mid-September, there is a timed entry ticket system in place, so be sure you plan accordingly and come prepared!
11. Squibnocket Beach
Often referred to as “Squibby” by the locals, Squibnocket is a beautifully scenic beach on Martha’s Vineyard that’s worth checking out during your visit. Known as one of the best surfing beaches on the island, the coastline here is pretty rocky, but the sound of waves crashing on them is so relaxing.
Squibby is a great beach for walking if you pack the right footwear, and while it’s small, it’s a wonderful place to take photos and see if anyone if out surfing.
When you arrive at the beach, there’s a beautiful bridge that connects the beach to Squibnocket Farms, which also makes for some lovely photos.
Parking At Squibnocket Beach: In the summer, the beach is for town residents and renters only. It’s open to everyone the rest of the year.
12. Eastville Beach
Eastville Beach is a cute little beach in Oak Bluffs, right on the border of Vineyard Haven. This beach is very small, and a bit rocky, but offers really nice views of the harbor. This is a great beach to visit if you’re looking for convenience, and don’t want to stray too far from Oak Bluffs.
As mentioned, the shoreline here can be rocky, so water shoes are a good idea when you visit this beach. But it’s also perfect for looking for seashells!
Parking At Eastville Beach: There is a small parking lot at the beach that’s free for all. It fills up fast in the mornings, and tends to be less full in the afternoons.
13. Oak Bluffs Town Beach
A 5-minute drive from Joseph Sylvia Beach brings you to the little Oak Bluffs Town Beach, which is right at the ferry terminal in town. While this may not be the most scenic or dramatic beach on the island, it’s so convenient and perfect for families with younger children. You’re steps from town, and the surf here is so gentle, that it’s easy for an entire family to get here and enjoy the day in the sand.
And while it’s not the most scenic beach on Martha’s Vineyard, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any beautiful scenery at Oak Bluffs Towns Beach! You can watch the ferries come in, the boat float by in the water, and enjoy the backdrop of Oak Bluffs, all of which offer lots of fun!
Oak Bluffs Beach Parking:
Bathrooms: Yes, near the ferry pier.
Lifeguards: Yes, in summer only.
Best Towns To Stay In For Beaches On The Island
This really depends on what kind of vacation you’re hoping to have
Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyards For Kids
For calmer water, these are the best beaches to check out on Martha’s Vineyard with kids:
- Oak Bluffs Town Beach
- Lambert’s Cove Beach
- Eastville Beach
- Menemsha Beach
- Joseph Silvia State Beach
Best Beaches For Surfing On The Island
For beaches with the best surf, you’ll want to check out:
- Long Point
- Squibnocket
- Lucy Vincent
- South Beach
Are Martha’s Vineyard Beaches Public Or Private?
In the summer season, which is typically mid-June through mid-September, Martha’s Vineyard beaches are a mix of both public and private (meaning, it’s only open to town residents). It’s best to check the rules and regulations on visiting a specific beach before you make a special trip.
To visit a town-resident only beach in the summer, you’ll need to actually live there, and obtain a beach permit/sticker, or be renting a house in that town (and also apply for a permit/beach sticker).
If the beach is a public beach, anyone can visit. Some beaches (like Moshup Beach in Aquinnah) will require a daily parking fee, and others will offer free parking along the road.
If you visit outside of the summer season, all beaches, including those that are for town residents only in the summer, will be open to everyone.
Can You Drive On Martha’s Vineyard Beaches?
You can drive on some Martha’s Vineyard beaches, yes! Beaches like South Beach, Long Point and Norton Point offer over-sand driving permits for those looking for a fun adventure. You can also get a permit for over-sand driving on Cape Poge, which is on Chappaquiddick Island, and would allow you to drive to Cape Poge Lighthouse.
More posts you may find helpful:
- Awesome Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard
- Ultimate Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide
- How To See Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
- Gorgeous New England Islands Worth Visiting
- Nantucket Or Martha’s Vineyard For A Day Trip?
That’s A Wrap On The Best Martha’s Vineyard Beaches
And there you have it, all my picks for the best beaches on Martha’s Vineyard, and hopefully, all my tips and expert advice has helped you plan which you’re able to visit on your next trip. Whether it’s a full day at South Beach, or you’re hoping to beach-hop to all of them on this list, one thing’s for sure – it’s hard to not find a beautiful beach on the island!
