Dad-tested, kid-approved. We woke our 5- and 7-year-old at 4:15am, were parked at the Shining Sea Bikeway by 5:15, and biked ~25 miles across two ferry rides to spend a whole day on Martha's Vineyard — no car on the island. Here's the exact plan so you can do it too.
Why go car-free
Island car reservations are expensive and book out; once you're there, traffic and parking are a headache. With bikes, the getting-there IS the adventure — and the Vineyard is made for two wheels.
The plan at a glance
- Park (free): Shining Sea Bikeway lot, Falmouth.
- Bike the Shining Sea Bikeway to Woods Hole (flat, paved, ocean views).
- First Steamship Authority ferry, Woods Hole → Vineyard Haven (~45 min; one-way bicycle fare $5.25 per bike — confirm current first-ferry time — steamshipauthority.com).
- Bring the bikes on the ferry and explore Vineyard Haven → Oak Bluffs → Edgartown.
Our hour-by-hour
- 4:15am wake the kids · 5:15am park & ride the bikeway at first light
- an early-morning ferry to Vineyard Haven
- Bike to Oak Bluffs — breakfast, the gingerbread cottages
- Beach stop in Oak Bluffs on the ride to Edgartown — great vibe
- Edgartown lunch; watch the kids fish off the pier
- Jaws Bridge — the famous jump + swim; hang out
- Dinner — outdoor venue with live music, raw bar + BBQ, games for the kids
- Mad Martha's ice cream in Vineyard Haven
- 7:15pm ferry back to Falmouth · bikeway to the car · home 9:15pm, kids asleep
Doing it with little kids (the honest version)
~25 miles is a real day for a 5- and 7-year-old. Know your kids' range — or rent e-bikes / use a bike trailer, or do the shorter version below. Go on the first ferry: empty roads, cool morning, no crowds.
Pack: water, snacks, swimsuits + towels, sunscreen, bike locks, cash, layers for the morning ferry.
The shorter version
Not ready for 25 miles? Drive to Woods Hole (or the Falmouth bikeway lot), ferry over as walk-ons, and rent bikes on-island in Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. Same island day, less mileage.
What it costs (verify current rates)
Ferry: adult passenger fare is $11 one-way / about $22 round-trip, plus a $5.25 one-way bicycle fare (about $10.50 round-trip) per bike (steamshipauthority.com); children 5–12 are $5.75 one-way. Parking at the bikeway: free. Food + ice cream extra.
What to Bring / What You'll Need
Cape Cod Certified picks — essentials worth packing for this trip:
- FLAMDYNO Light-Up LED Beach Balls (4-Pack) — $20: Color-changing waterproof LED beach balls that keep kids bouncing long after sunset on the sand.
- MalsiPree Portable Dog Water Bottle — $15: One-handed, leak-proof bottle with a built-in bowl that recycles unused water back into the bottle. Under six ounces and ready for every boardwalk, trail, and dune walk.
- LA Fresh DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent Wipes — $42.32: Naturally derived, DEET-free wipes that keep bugs at bay through sunset cocktails and beach bonfires. Toss a few in the tote so guests can stay comfortable from porch to shoreline.
