“I could live like this,” I thought, standing in wet sand with a kite flying overhead that wasn’t mine. Martha's Vineyard beaches don’t overwhelm you. They woo you—slowly, with sand that gives underfoot and skies that seem to know you need a break. I hopped between spots for days: refuge beaches, family beaches, beaches at the end of dirt roads where the wind sculpts everything into soft motion. Each one gave me something I didn’t know I was looking for—space, surprise, or the perfect place to eat a tomato sandwich while pretending not to eavesdrop on someone else's beach philosophy.
Best Beaches on Martha's Vineyard, MA:
Long Point Wildlife Refuge - 25 minutes from Oak Bluffs
This one made me work for it. A long gravel drive, a hot walk through coastal scrub, and finally—ocean, wide as thought. Long Point felt like a postcard no one sent. It was quiet except for gulls and water, with dunes that looked like they were painted in soft pastels.
I ate farro salad with lemon vinaigrette and roasted carrots, still cool from the morning. Each bite had that bright, fresh snap that makes your shoulders drop. I thought, “There’s not a single thing I need to do right now.”
Long Point Wildlife Refuge At a Glance
- Location: Off Edgartown–West Tisbury Rd, mid-island south coast
- Best Time to Visit: Morning before the sun hits full strength
- Vibe: Remote, clean, elemental
- Facilities: Bathrooms at entrance, no food or rentals
- Food Nearby: None—pack it all in
Joseph Sylvia State Beach - 10-minute drive from Edgartown
This beach curls along the road like a lazy dog. Shallow water, warm by island standards, and a soft breeze that kept the sweat off my back. Families were posted up with umbrellas, while others waded in like the ocean was made for floating and forgetting.
I had a pita stuffed with cucumber, hummus, and mint. It was simple but refreshing, and the mint hit just as a kid nearby squealed at the touch of a crab. I smiled. “This is the beach you bring your whole heart to,” I thought.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach At a Glance
- Location: Between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon, golden and calm
- Vibe: Calm, kid-friendly, float-worthy
- Facilities: Limited roadside parking, no restrooms
- Food Nearby: Oak Bluffs markets, or pack your lunch
East Beach - Accessible from Edgartown via the Chappaquiddick ferry
Remote. Windy. Worth it. East Beach is the kind of place that feels half-wild, accessed by four-wheel drive or long walks depending on tide and mood. I saw maybe three people in two hours. The surf was louder than expected, the sand cool and broken with shells.
I brought chilled noodles with snap peas and sesame dressing. The salt in the air made everything taste bolder. I sat on a driftwood log that had clearly been someone else’s seat before mine. “There’s no better sound than waves with no commentary,” I thought.
East Beach At a Glance
- Location: Chappaquiddick Island, accessible by On Time Ferry
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for breeze and solitude
- Vibe: Remote, rugged, perfect
- Facilities: None past the trailhead—BYO everything
- Food Nearby: None—pack your full picnic
Lake Tashmoo Town Beach - 15 minutes by car from the ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs
You have to know what you’re looking for—unmarked roads, limited parking, and a gentle walk that leads to something calm and tucked in. Lake Tashmoo has still water and fewer people, with boats bobbing in the distance like slow thoughts.
I ate a cold orzo salad with dill and crumbled feta. The sun caught the oil on my fingers and made them shimmer. “This is the kind of place where you whisper without meaning to,” I thought.
Lake Tashmoo Town Beach At a Glance
- Location: Vineyard Haven, off Herring Creek Rd
- Best Time to Visit: Early or very late, due to parking limits
- Vibe: Quiet, small, low-key
- Facilities: None on site
- Food Nearby: Markets in Vineyard Haven
Lobsterville Beach - 45-minute drive from Vineyard Haven
Lobsterville is understated. A little rough around the edges. But the view across to Menemsha and the soft lap of water made it feel honest. I passed a couple fly-fishing with the kind of patience I’ll never have and sat on the edge of the dunes with my lunch.
A grain bowl with lentils, carrots, and a tahini drizzle that soaked the bottom of the container just right. I thought, “Sometimes the best beach is the one you didn’t plan for.”
Lobsterville Beach At a Glance
- Location: Aquinnah, facing Menemsha Bight
- Best Time to Visit: Late morning, before the tide creeps in
- Vibe: Uncrowded, straightforward, quietly pretty
- Facilities: None
- Food Nearby: Pack it in or hit Menemsha after
Menemsha Beach - 40-minute drive from Vineyard Haven
Menemsha’s known for one thing: sunsets. And the thing is, the hype is justified. Everyone shows up with folding chairs and containers of seafood, waiting for the moment when the sun drops cleanly into the water like a coin in a slot.
I had roasted veggie focaccia and sat beside someone playing soft music from their phone. It was fine. Somehow even sweet. “We’re all just trying to pause time,” I thought, watching the sky turn peach, then lavender, then dark.
Menemsha Beach At a Glance
- Location: Menemsha village, Chilmark
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset only
- Vibe: Peaceful, social, ritualistic
- Facilities: Nearby public lot, restrooms
- Food Nearby: Great seafood stands in town—Larsen’s is classic
Oak Bluffs Town Beach - just a short walk from the ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs
This one’s for the people: steps from the ferry, next to a park, full of families, solo sunbathers, and seagulls who understand tourism. The water’s mellow, the view stretches toward boats, and it’s all walkable from town.
I ate cold soba with grated ginger and scallions on a paper towel I kept chasing with my foot. “Convenience doesn’t have to mean compromise,” I thought, wiping sesame seeds off my arm.
Oak Bluffs Town Beach At a Glance
- Location: Downtown Oak Bluffs, north of the harbor
- Best Time to Visit: Midday when you need a break from town
- Vibe: Accessible, laid-back, family-friendly
- Facilities: Public restrooms nearby
- Food Nearby: Everywhere—grab something easy and head to the sand
Katama Beach - 15 minute drive or bike ride from Edgartown
This was the beach where the wind nearly took my hat. Wide, loud with waves, and edged by grassy dunes that made everything look cinematic. People here seemed spread out—not because it was empty, but because the space felt infinite.
I had a tomato sandwich that fell apart halfway through and didn’t care. Juice down my wrist, sand in the bag, everything tasted like summer.
“This is the beach where you feel awake,” I thought, brushing crumbs from my knees.
Katama Beach At a Glance
- Location: South side of Edgartown
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for energy, sunset for drama
- Vibe: Big, bold, windswept
- Facilities: Limited parking, portable toilets
- Food Nearby: Grab and go in Edgartown
Wasque Beach - 30 minutes from Edgartown
Wasque was like stepping into a place the weather hadn’t made up its mind about. Cloud shadows raced across the dunes. The water shifted colors every five minutes. It felt untamed in a good way—somewhere you go when you don’t want to run into anyone, even by accident.
I ate grilled tofu with slaw in a tortilla wrap, crunchy and just a little smoky. Sat with my legs stretched out, eyes half-closed. “Let the wind take whatever it wants,” I thought.
Wasque Beach At a Glance
- Location: Southeastern tip of Chappaquiddick
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or golden hour
- Vibe: Wild, unstructured, empty in the best way
- Facilities: Restroom at parking, long walk in
- Food Nearby: None—bring your own everything
Eastville Beach - 10 minute drive from Vineyard Haven
This one surprised me. A tiny sliver of beach between two busy roads—but with a view that stretched across the water like a postcard. Locals brought folding chairs. Kids climbed the rocks. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real.
I had sliced peaches and a small baguette with almond butter. It was messy, light, and exactly what I needed. “Sometimes, good enough is more than enough,” I thought.
Eastville Beach At a Glance
- Location: Near the drawbridge between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven
- Best Time to Visit: Early or late—parking fills fast
- Vibe: Casual, quick-stop, surprisingly lovely
- Facilities: Limited parking, no restrooms
- Food Nearby: Grab from town, eat with your feet in the tide
Martha’s Vineyard doesn’t offer a single perfect beach. It offers a spectrum. Wild ones. Calm ones. Ones with long walks and ones you can step into from the road. And each gave me something I didn’t know I needed—quiet, perspective, or a really great place to eat a sandwich. If you go, bring layers, bring patience, and bring more snacks than you think you’ll eat. You’ll stay longer than you meant to.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Long Point Wildlife Refuge - 25 minutes from Oak Bluffs
- • Joseph Sylvia State Beach - 10-minute drive from Edgartown
- • East Beach - Accessible from Edgartown via the Chappaquiddick ferry
- • Lake Tashmoo Town Beach - 15 minutes by car from the ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs
- • Lobsterville Beach - 45-minute drive from Vineyard Haven
- • Menemsha Beach - 40-minute drive from Vineyard Haven
- • Oak Bluffs Town Beach - just a short walk from the ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs
- • Katama Beach - 15 minute drive or bike ride from Edgartown
- • Wasque Beach - 30 minutes from Edgartown
- • Eastville Beach - 10 minute drive from Vineyard Haven