Region guideIsland · not Cape Cod

Martha's Vineyard

An island escape — six distinct towns, a short ferry away.

6Towns
45 minFerry from Woods Hole
~96 sq miIsland size

Is Martha's Vineyard part of Cape Cod?

Martha's Vineyard is an island off the Cape's southwest corner — it is NOT part of Cape Cod, and reaching it is part of the magic: a short ferry from Woods Hole. The Vineyard packs six very different towns into one island, from Edgartown's stately whaling-captain homes and Oak Bluffs' candy-colored gingerbread cottages to the working fishing village of Menemsha and the dramatic clay cliffs of Aquinnah. Bigger and more lived-in than Nantucket, it's perfect for biking, beaches, and town-hopping.

Known for

'Down-island' towns: Edgartown (whaling elegance, Edgartown Light), Oak Bluffs (gingerbread cottages, Flying Horses — oldest U.S. carousel, Inkwell Beach), Vineyard Haven (main ferry port)
'Up-island': West Tisbury farms & Alley's General Store, Chilmark's Menemsha fishing village & sunsets, Aquinnah's Gay Head Cliffs & Lighthouse (Wampanoag tribal land)
Great beaches, bike paths, and farm stands

Highlights

Gingerbread cottages & Flying Horses, Oak Bluffs
Edgartown Lighthouse & captains' homes
Menemsha sunset & lobster rolls
Aquinnah (Gay Head) Cliffs
biking the island
State Beach

Fast facts

ISLAND — NOT Cape Cod · 6 towns · ~96 sq mi · Ferry 45 min from Woods Hole · Come car-free if you can

Which Martha's Vineyard town should I visit?

6 towns

Stay down-island in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven for the ferry ports, harbors and restaurants. Head up-island to West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah for farms, Menemsha and the Gay Head Cliffs.

How do I get to Martha's Vineyard?

By ferry — the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole (45 min; the only car ferry) to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, plus passenger ferries from Hyannis, Falmouth, and seasonally New Bedford. Fly into Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY). Most visitors come car-free.

Car ferry
Woods Hole · 45 min
Steamship Authority, to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. The only car ferry.
Passenger ferries
Hyannis · Falmouth
Plus New Bedford, seasonally.
Fly
MVY
Martha's Vineyard Airport.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard?

June–September for full island life; the Vineyard quiets dramatically off-season. Mid-June and September offer warm weather without August crowds. Book early for summer ferries and lodging.

What should I know before I go?

Reserve the car ferry early for summer, or better, come car-free. The notes below cover ferries, getting around, alcohol rules and the Aquinnah cliffs.

Car ferry reservations sell out months ahead for summer — reserve early or, better, come CAR-FREE
Getting around without a car is easy: VTA buses, bike paths, and taxis connect the down-island towns
Tisbury (Vineyard Haven) was historically 'dry' — rules have eased, but dining-out alcohol varies by town
Aquinnah's Gay Head Cliffs are sacred Wampanoag land — stay on marked overlooks

Where are the towns on Martha's Vineyard?

Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown sit down-island on the east end; West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah run west, up-island. The ferries land at Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs.

Open Martha's Vineyard in Google Maps

Cape MapOpen Martha's Vineyard on the mapView map

Common questions about Martha's Vineyard

Do I need a car on Martha's Vineyard?

No. Most visitors come car-free: VTA buses, bike paths and taxis connect the down-island towns. Car ferry reservations sell out months ahead for summer.

How long is the ferry to Martha's Vineyard?

The Steamship Authority car ferry from Woods Hole takes 45 minutes to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. Passenger ferries also run from Hyannis, Falmouth and, seasonally, New Bedford.

Can you visit the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah?

Yes, from the marked overlooks. The cliffs are sacred Wampanoag land, so stay on the overlooks.

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Which other regions are near Martha's Vineyard?

The Upper Cape is across Vineyard Sound, with the ferries at Woods Hole and Falmouth. Nantucket is the other island, reached from Hyannis.