Ocean / AtlanticMoshup Beach (Aquinnah Public Beach)
The iconic public beach beneath Aquinnah's federally protected clay cliffs, via a paid municipal lot. (Local note: Public access with paid lot and a notable walk down; ~$35 parking widely cited)
Martha's Vineyard · Town guide
Aquinnah, Massachusetts
Aquinnah is land's end — the westernmost tip of the Vineyard, where the famous clay cliffs drop in bands of red and ochre to the sea and the brick Gay Head Light stands watch above them. It is also, first and before anything else, the homeland of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), a federally recognized tribe whose people have lived here for thousands of years and who remain the heart of the town's year-round community.
Every place below is listed and verified by Cape Cod Certified.
Right now
64° · Partly Cloudy
Low tide · Gay Head
2:44 AM
Sunset
6:32 PM
Where is everything in Aquinnah?
29 verified places in Aquinnah, 14 on the map. Tap a photo, pin or row for its details, or narrow the list by kind under the map.
Tap a photo to see details
Lobsterville BeachCCC Visited- Moshup Beach (Aquinnah Public Beach)CCC Visited
Philbin BeachCCC Visited
Aquinnah Headlands Preserve (South Head Loop)CCC Visited
Gay Head Cliffs Overlook & Headlands LoopCCC Visited
Gay Head LighthouseCCC Visited- Moshup Trail (scenic route)
Aquila
Aquinnah Bike Ferry
Bowen's Arrow
Cliffhangers
On the Cliffs
Stony Creek Gifts
The Gay Head Store
28 of 29 places shown
Outdoors
What beach should I go to in Aquinnah?
1 of 4 verified beaches in Aquinnah is free. 1 take a town sticker or a daily fee, 1 needs a sticker that visitors can buy (no daily parking) and 1 is resident-sticker only.
Can I park?
- Ocean / Atlantic
- Bay / Sound
Lobsterville Beach
A calm Vineyard Sound beach legally open to all but reachable mainly by bike or foot (no day parking). (Local note: ~8 or fewer non-resident spots, no road parking — biking in is the realistic way)
- Ocean / Atlantic
Philbin Beach
Philbin Beach is a wide Atlantic surf beach on Aquinnah's south shore, off Moshup Trail, prized for uncrowded space. In season (from mid-June) it is for Aquinnah residents and renters: access requires a Philbin parking permit or a walk-on pass, and anyone walking in from the road must show the attendant a pass. Off-season, check with the Town of Aquinnah.
Bay / SoundRed Beach (Menemsha Pond)
Red Beach is a quiet, sandy beach on Menemsha Pond in Aquinnah, with calm water and boats swinging on their moorings. It's a private, resident-only beach in season: Dukes County's beach guide says a permit from the Town of Aquinnah is required, and the town limits Red Beach parking to holders of its Resident Parking Permit. Visitors and short-term renters should check with the Town of Aquinnah before planning a visit.
Where can I hike in Aquinnah?
Aquinnah has 4 verified trails, 3 of them easy. The longest is Gay Head Cliffs Overlook & Headlands Loop, at 0.8 miles.
- Easy
Aquinnah Headlands Preserve (South Head Loop)
A short easy year-round loop through coastal heathland with lighthouse and cliff views down to Moshup Beach. (Local note: AllTrails ~0.9 mi, 4.6 stars — easy, family-friendly, scenic)
MV Land Bank for Aquinnah Headlands Preserve (South Head Loop) (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 0.8 mi
Gay Head Cliffs Overlook & Headlands Loop
A short scenic walk from the Aquinnah cliffs overlook area along the bluff edge, taking in the dramatic multicolored clay cliffs and the Elizabeth Islands beyond. The loop connects the parking area, viewing platforms, and the short headlands path toward the Gay Head Lighthouse. Sunrise and sunset views are world-class.
Town of Aquinnah for Gay Head Cliffs Overlook & Headlands Loop (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 0.2 mi
Gay Head Lighthouse
Gay Head Light crowns the dramatic clay cliffs of Aquinnah at Martha's Vineyard's westernmost point — a brick tower first lit in 1799 and famously moved back from the eroding bluff in 2015. It's a short stroll from the Aquinnah Circle shops and overlook, and one of the island's premier sunset perches above the Atlantic.
CapeCodCertified field visit + NPS/town sources for Gay Head Lighthouse (opens in a new tab) - Moderate
Moshup Trail (scenic route)
A 3.6-mile scenic road from State Rd to Gay Head Light, popular for cycling and walking above the cliffs. (Local note: Cyclists recommend the Lobsterville + Lighthouse loop via Moshup Trail to avoid busy South Rd)
MV Land Bank / GreatRuns for Moshup Trail (scenic route) (opens in a new tab)
How should I plan a day in Aquinnah?
All guidesStart with “Best Sunset Spots on Cape Cod: Bay Side, Harbor Views, and the Prettiest Endings to a Cape Day”. 6 guides on this site cover Aquinnah; the rest are linked below the cards.
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Best Sunset Spots on Cape Cod: Bay Side, Harbor Views, and the Prettiest Endings to a Cape Day
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The Cape Cod Winter Closing Checklist for Absentee Owners (Print-and-Go PDF)
The print-and-go Cape Cod winter closing checklist for absentee owners: real freeze dates, insurance rules, plumbing shut-down steps, and 2026 caretaker pricing.
Do I need a beach sticker in Aquinnah?
Yes, at 3 of the 4 beaches we list; 1 is free. Prices, dates and where to buy are below.
Beach sticker info
Paid town day-use lot near Moshup Trail; Aquinnah tightened parking rules and reserves some areas for residents — confirm current daily fee ($15–$30 range, do not assert) and restrictions.
Transfer station permits
Aquinnah LDO vehicle sticker required; stickers & disposal coupons from the attendant; recycling free with sticker, trash for a small fee.
Town services, hours & phone numbers
Town Hall
Aquinnah Town Hall (opens in a new tab)Senior Center
Up-Island Council on Aging (Howes House) — shared (opens in a new tab)Transfer Station
Aquinnah Local Drop-Off / Town Dump (MV Refuse District) (opens in a new tab)State Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535 (near Lobsterville Rd)
Seasonal hours — verify with Town DPW (508-645-2310) or mvrefusedistrict.com
Schools
No town school — elementary at Chilmark School (Up-Island Regional School District); MV Regional HS (Oak Bluffs) (opens in a new tab)Beaches
Moshup Beach (Gay Head Public Beach) via Moshup Trail, at the base of the iconic multicolored clay Aquinnah (Gay Head) Cliffs beneath Gay Head Lighthouse — a federally protected National Natural Landmark (no climbing on/removing clay). (opens in a new tab)Trails
MV Land Bank's Aquinnah Headlands Preserve (year-round South Head Loop to Moshup Beach; seasonal North Head loop with Gay Head Light & Vineyard Sound views), linking to Sheriff's Meadow's Wallen/Preston/Shands preserve. (opens in a new tab)
Plan your visit
Where should I stay in Aquinnah?
We haven't verified a place to stay in Aquinnah yet. Browse verified stays across the Cape instead.
Stays
No Aquinnah stays listed yet
We only list places we've checked. Browse lodging across the Cape in the meantime.
Browse all lodging →Where should I eat in Aquinnah?
Cape Cod Certified has visited and verified 1 place to eat in Aquinnah. Filter by what you're after, or open the full restaurant list.
Cliffhangers
A seasonal food stand at the Aquinnah Cliffs serving lobster rolls, chowder, and ice cream with a view — a quick, satisfying bite steps from the Gay Head Lighthouse.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directions
What is there to do in Aquinnah this weekend?
All experiences14 experiences in Aquinnah can be booked through Cape Cod Certified. Prices and availability come from each operator.
Cape ClassicsNarrated · All AgesMartha’s Vineyard Island Tour
A sightseeing, history and culture experience. Booked on Viator.
from $70
Check availability
Cape ClassicsEvery JAWS Location VisitedThe Ultimate JAWSome JAWS Tour
The deep-dive JAWS tour for serious fans, on location where it was filmed. Booked on Viator.
from $49
Check availability
Cape ClassicsReal JAWS Filming LocationsShared JAWS Filming Locations Tour
Visit the real Amity — the JAWS filming sites across the Vineyard. Booked on Viator.
from $40
Check availability
Cape ClassicsGo at Your Own PaceMartha’s Vineyard Self-Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour
A self-guided GPS audio walking tour. Booked on Viator.
from $10
Check availability
Cape ClassicsGo at Your Own PaceSelf-Guided Walking Tour of Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard
A self-guided sightseeing and history walk. Booked on Viator.
from $10
Check availability
Cape ClassicsGingerbread Cottages & HistoryOak Bluffs Self-Guided Audio Tour
Stroll the gingerbread cottages and Campground at your own pace with an audio guide. Booked on Viator.
from $13
Check availability
Cape ClassicsCustom Private ExperienceExperience the Magic of Martha’s Vineyard
A sightseeing, history and culture experience. Booked on Viator.
from $75
Check availability
Rainy DayCoast to Coast in One DayMartha's Vineyard: All Island Tour
Experience the beautiful views and unique character of Martha's Vineyard with local 3rd generation island guides. Take a bus tour and see sights, including Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven.
$70 per person
Check availability
Cape ClassicsDay Trip from BostonBoston: Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour
Explore Martha's Vineyard on a day trip from Boston and see the cottages in Oak Bluffs, the quaint shops of Edgartown, and the Gay Head Cliffs. Upgrade your trip with a guided tour of the island.
$129 per adult
Check availability
Luxury WeekendPrivate · 2 HoursPrivate Guided Sightseeing Tour of Martha's Vineyard (2 Hours)
A private island tour — Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and the cliffs at your own pace. Booked on Viator.
from $250
Check availability
Cape ClassicsAll 6 Towns in 3 HoursBest of Martha’s Vineyard 3-hour Full Island Tour
A sightseeing, history and culture experience. Booked on Viator.
from $65
Check availability
Cape ClassicsExplore the Whole IslandMartha's Vineyard Venture Scavenger Hunt
A self-guided scavenger hunt that turns the island into a family adventure. Booked on Viator.
from $13
Check availability
Cape ClassicsNo Fitness RequiredElectric Bike Tour of Martha's Vineyard
Glide the Vineyard's coast roads and harbor villages on an easy electric bike tour. Booked on Viator.
from $75
Check availability
Rainy DayGo at Your Own PaceOak Bluffs: Martha's Vineyard GPS Smartphone Audio Tour
Walk through Oak Bluffs along an app-based audio-guided route on your mobile device. Learn about the town's origins and the most popular landmarks of this famous destination on Martha's Vineyard.
from $13
Check availability
What can you do in Aquinnah on a rainy day?
1 verified place in Aquinnah works on a rainy day. Shops and cafés are the other indoor plan.
Bowen's Arrow
An Aquinnah Cliffs gallery and gift shop featuring Martha's Vineyard prints, jewelry, and island-made art.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directions
Which Cape towns are closest to Aquinnah?
Chilmark and West Tisbury are the closest, about 2 and 7 miles away as the crow flies.
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See placementsCommon questions about Aquinnah
Is Aquinnah on Cape Cod?
No. Aquinnah is on Martha's Vineyard, which is an island. Six towns on an island reached by ferry from Woods Hole, Falmouth, Hyannis and New Bedford, or by air.
Which Aquinnah beaches are free?
There's no fee at Lobsterville Beach, according to our beach records.
Are dogs allowed on Aquinnah beaches?
Dogs are allowed off-season only at Lobsterville Beach and Philbin Beach. Dogs are not allowed at Moshup Beach (Aquinnah Public Beach).
Where can I get breakfast in Aquinnah?
Cliffhangers serves breakfast or brunch.
How do I get a transfer station permit in Aquinnah?
Aquinnah LDO vehicle sticker required; stickers & disposal coupons from the attendant; recycling free with sticker, trash for a small fee.