Visit Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island of harbor towns, beaches, rural roads and communities with distinct histories. A visit can be as simple as arriving on foot for a walk around a town, or it can include a longer circuit by bus, bicycle or tour. Start by choosing how much island time you have and where your ferry arrives. That decision shapes what you can comfortably fit into the day.
The island has six towns: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury. Vineyard Haven is in Tisbury, while Menemsha is part of Chilmark. The larger harbor communities of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are often called Down-Island. The more rural communities of West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah make up Up-Island. The names describe local regions rather than directions on a compass.
Getting oriented: Woods Hole has a year-round ferry to Vineyard Haven; service to Oak Bluffs is seasonal. Check your sailing and onward transport together before setting a meeting time.
Our take: island outings
For a Boston departure, choose the day trip with a ferry crossing. On the island, compare a drive with local narration, a small-group drive and the app-based audio tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Boston day trip with ferry crossing
- Round-trip ferry to Martha's Vineyard
- Snacks and bottled water
- Island guidebook
Hotel pickup depends on location; the minibus travels from Boston to the ferry. The three-hour island tour is included only with the selected option.
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Island drive with local narration
- Air conditioned vehicles
- Narration by islanders
- Historical screen images
The meeting point and drop-off are at the ferry terminal.
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Island drive from Ocean Park
- Complimentary map of Martha's Vineyard
A complimentary island map comes with this drive.
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Island drive with onboard commentary
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary on board
- Professional Driver/Guide
Tell the operator which ferry you are taking to the island.
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Explore Oak Bluffs with an app
- Audio Tour
- App
This is an app-based audio tour without a live guide or transport.
Check availability →Explore the island
Compare island rides, a Boston day trip and an Oak Bluffs audio walk. Check the meeting point and selected option for each experience.
Plan your island visit
Use these guides to choose a route, understand the crossing and give each place enough time. The island rewards a focused itinerary: a day based around a harbor town feels different from a drive to the cliffs and rural west. Each guide offers a useful starting point for that choice.
Island tours
Compare island circuits and their meeting points.
Boston day trips
Plan the mainland journey, ferry and island time.
Things to do
Explore cliffs, towns and nature paths.
Getting there
Consider flights, ground transport and island connections.
Ferries
Compare mainland ports and seasonal services.
Where to stay
Choose an area around your transport plans.
When to visit
Understand seasonal conditions and services.
Island history
Learn about Noepe and the island's communities.
Biking
Plan a route around paths and roads.
Oak Bluffs
See the cottages and learn about local history.
Choose a pace and a base
Oak Bluffs is known for the colorful Gingerbread Cottages and the history of its Camp Meeting community. The cottages are private homes, so enjoy them from public paths and streets. Edgartown offers a harbor setting and a connection to Chappaquiddick, while Vineyard Haven is a useful arrival point when the seasonal Oak Bluffs ferry is not operating. For a closer look at the cottages and Inkwell, read the Oak Bluffs guide.
Farther Up-Island, the Aquinnah cliffs and lighthouse provide a different landscape. The cliffs are sacred: stay on permitted paths, do not climb them or remove clay, plants or artifacts, and respect private land. Menemsha is in Chilmark. Reaching these places takes planning, especially when you need to return to a ferry terminal. Our places guide helps you choose stops without treating the island as a checklist.
Beaches have different access and parking rules. A place to stay does not automatically give you every beach permit, and walking access and parking permission can differ. Check local rules for the specific beach before setting out. The accommodation guide explains why location and access matter together.
Ferries, roads and time
Visitors can travel as foot passengers or consider bringing a car. A vehicle requires advance reservation on the Woods Hole crossing; passenger, bicycle, car and mainland parking arrangements are separate considerations. If you leave a car on the mainland, allow time for the parking shuttle and terminal check-in. The ferry guide covers ports and seasonal changes.
Island buses and bicycles can be useful alternatives to a car, but check the route and timetable for your date. Some roads are narrow, particularly Up-Island, and some cycle routes share the road. If arriving from the mainland for a single day, keep a margin for the return ferry and the journey back to your starting point. Weather and service changes can affect connections, so check them close to departure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit without a car?
Yes. Foot passengers can combine a harbor town with buses, a bicycle or an island tour. Check the timetable and meeting point before building a longer itinerary.
Is a day trip from Boston possible?
Yes. The journey includes mainland travel to a ferry port and the crossing, followed by island time and a return. Compare the options in our Boston day trip guide.
Is this guide connected to the tourism office or ferry operators?
No. This is an independent visitor guide with no connection to the local tourism office or ferry operators.
Which ferry port should I choose?
Start with your mainland route and travel date. Vineyard Haven has year-round service from Woods Hole, while Oak Bluffs service is seasonal. Check the current schedule before booking connections.