Martha's Vineyard: Sandy Beaches, Lighthouses & Dining

One of five lighthouses on Martha's Vineyard, Edgartown Harbor Light is located in Edgartown at the entrance to Katama Bay and Edgartown Harbor. The first two-story wooden lighthouse was built in 1828 and served as the keeper's home. It was replaced in 1939 by the existing cast-iron tower.

Originally located about a quarter of a mile from the coast on a small artificial island, the stone causeway caused the sand to accumulate creating a beach that today connects the lighthouse to the land. There is limited public access to the light room because of the almost vertical ladder people have to climb to reach it. The lighthouse is an important part of various community events like July 4^th fireworks.

Edgartown Lighthouse, 121 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539, Phone: 508-627-4441

About four miles south of Edgartown, Katama Beach (South Beach) is a three mile long magnificent public beach. Surfers who love the rough surf are attracted to the barrier slip of sand, and swimmers flock to its protected salt-pond side. Located on the south side of the island, the beach is also called South Beach. Its fine white sand contrasts nicely with the crystal clear turquoise water.

The beach is well-groomed and monitored by lifeguards, but the beach is long and they cannot be everywhere, so keep this in mind if you go swimming, the surf can get rough.

It is often possible to find a secluded spot away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the sea and surf. The beach is lined by large, sweeping dunes covered with sparse grasses.

Katama Beach, KatamaRoad, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539

As you climb the 308 foot high Prospect Hill on top of Menemsha Hills, the view that will explode in front of you will take your breath away. The vista stretches from the rugged shoreline with the cliffs of Aquinnah, across Vineyard Sound to the Elizabeth and Normal Islands, timeless and ancient, shaped by thousands of years of nature's relentless work. Along the path to the top, you will pass holly and blueberry, which love the moist, sandy soils.

Menemsha Hills is a 211-acre nature reserve just outside of the small town of Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard, protected for its diverse plant habitats that include wetlands, woodland groves and low, marshy areas where you can see red maples, beech, red, white, and black oaks, dune grass, pitch pine, goldenrod and beach plum. It is a wonderful spot for a leisurely hike, a picnic, fishing or taking in the beauty in silence.

N Rd, Chilmark, Massachusetts 02535, Phone: 508-693-3678

Aquinnah Cliffs is a mile long expanse of brightly colored cliffs on the edge of the small town of Aquinnah, at the western tip of Martha's Vineyard Island.

The cliffs are composed of complex layers of gravel, sands and clays of all colors and hues that are the result of a hundred-million year-old work of nature.

The glaciers, sea and land have twisted layers of soil into colorful, waving bands that are perched above the sea.

Erosion keeps exposing layers underneath, coloring the sea red, and often revealing secrets of the past such as -fossils of great sharks, clams and crabs of the ancient sea, camels, wild horses and whales.

The Cliffs are protected today and, because of severe erosion, climbing and removing of clay is forbidden.

Aquinnah Cliffs have a bad reputation of posing great peril to seafarers and have been witness to many a shipwreck.

One of the first American revolving lighthouses was built in 1799 atop the Cliffs.

State Rd, Aquinnah, Massachusetts 02535

The Martha's Vineyard Museum started its life as the Dukes County Historical Society in 1922 with a small collection of revolutionary era documents.

After several changes in direction and name, in 2006, Martha's Vineyard Historical Society decided to change the name to the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

The new name more accurately reflects the mission and accumulated holdings such as objects, documents, photographs, historic books, and paintings.

The goal of the museum is to inspire people to understand, explore and discover their island heritage. The museum has a number of permanent exhibits.

The museum is the steward of three island lighthouses: The East Chop, Gay Head and Edgartown.

Martha's Vineyard Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, Phone: 508-627-4441

Lucy Vincent Beach is not on many tourists radar, but is one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches on the Martha's Vineyard island. T

o access it, you have to purchase a pass from City Hall and then head to the village of Chilmark.

Fine sand is dotted with a number of large rocks that are scattered about.

The surf crashes against the rocks and the beach is shadowed by a backdrop of small cliffs.

Since it is so secluded and less known, this lovely beach is often uncrowded.

It is also one of the rare places where people are allowed to bathe or sunbathe in the nude.

Lucy Vincent Beach, Chilmark, Massachusetts 02535

Gay Head Lighthouse is a historic landmark located on the northwestern coast of Martha's Vineyard. The lighthouse was commissioned in 1796, making it the first lighthouse constructed on the island. In its 200-plus year history, the lighthouse has been upgraded, rebuilt, and moved back from the changing coastline multiple times.

In the 1980's, it was saved from destruction by Congress at the request of the people of Martha's Vineyard. The lighthouse is now open for daily tours from July to October. Local residents and tourists can also gather for sunset viewings on the lighthouse grounds in the summertime.

Gay Head Lighthouse, 65 State Road, Aquinnah, Massachusetts 02535, Phone: 508-645-2300

Chappaquiddick Island is the vacation destination with the changing coastline. "Chappy," as it is called by the 179 locals who live there year-round, contains 18 square miles of beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal inlets.

This tiny, secluded part of Edgartown is the perfect place for a relaxing, low-key beach vacation.

Even travelers who want a more active vacation will find plenty to do on Chappaquiddick Island, including walking trails, fishing, bird watching, and kayak tours. Ferry service from the mainland is available year-round, weather permitting.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature lover's paradise. It contains 194 acres of protected beaches, salt marshes, meadowlands, and woodlands, as well as 4 miles of walking trails.

Here, guests can learn about the native birds, plants, and animals of coastal Massachusetts.

The Sanctuary provides classes and activities for all ages, including the Fern and Feather Summer Day camp for children.

Guests can take a kayak tour of Sengekontacket Pond, explore the island's walking trails, go birdwatching, or enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the island's dedicated eating areas. There is a small admission fee.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 100 Felix Neck Drive, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539, Phone: 508-627-4850

Developed in 1958 by horticulturist resident Polly Hill, the Polly Hill Arboretum is an island landmark. The property consists of 20 acres of land cultivated with shrubs, trees, and flowers from around the world. Another 40 acres are set aside as a natural preserve. The arboretum showcases plants such as rhododendrons, hollies, crabapples, and magnolias that are set in beautifully landscaped meadows and fields.

Self-guided tours are available year-round, and guided tours of the grounds are given each morning in July and August. The arboretum also offers educational classes for children and adults, and a searchable plant database to help gardeners find the best plants for their land.

Polly Hill Arboretum, 809 State Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575, Phone: 508-693-9426