Along the Shoreline - Island Beaches

EDGARTOWN

1. BEND-IN-THE-ROAD BEACH
Part of the Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach, a two-mile stretch of gentle beach along Beach Road between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. Nantucket Sound is on one side, Sengekontacket Pond on the other. Roadside parking, and access by the bicycle path.

2. LIGHTHOUSE & FULLER STREET BEACH
Both are on the Edgartown harbor at Starbuck's Neck, just off North Water Street. Find the lighthouse and you're there. Calm water and a view of the harbor. Parking is at a premium, so leave your car elsewhere or get there early.

3. SOUTH BEACH
Also called Norton's Point/Katama, this three-mile barrier beach has Atlantic Ocean surf on one side of the dunes and a protected salt-pond, Katama Bay, on the other side. Three miles west from the center of Edgartown.

4. EAST BEACH
This beautiful stretch of beach at the tip of Chappy is open to the public. At Wasque there are also trails along the bluffs overlooking Wasque Point and Poucha Pond. Owned and maintained by The Trustees of Reservations.

OAK BLUFFS

5. EASTVILLE BEACH
A quiet spot off Beach Road on the Oak Bluffs side of the drawbridge between Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs.

6. OAK BLUFFS TOWN BEACH
On Nantucket Sound, this calm beach begins near the Steamship Authority dock and ends at the first jetty on the road to Edgartown, just past the breakwater. The beach picks up again about one mile east of the inlet which flows into Sengekontacket Pond and ends where the Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach begins.

7. JOSEPH A. SYLVIA STATE BEACH
Gentle surf and easy bike path and car access make this two-mile beach a popular spot for families. Also, fishing and crabbing along the jetties. The section known as Bend-in-the-Road Beach is in Edgartown.

VINEYARD HAVEN

8. OWEN PARK BEACH
On the harbor, off Main Street and within walking distance of the ferry terminal and downtown, this small sandy beach has an adjacent play area.

9. TISBURY TOWN BEACH (Owen Little Way Town Beach)
At the end of Owen Little Way off Main Street, this public beach is next to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club.

10. LAKE TASHMOO TOWN BEACH (Herring Creek Beach)
At Herring Creek on Lake Tashmoo. Swim in Vineyard Sound or in the lake. To get there, take Daggett Avenue out of Vineyard Haven, and turn right onto Herring Creek Road (a dirt road). Follow this to the end. Clamming (by permit) is allowed here and there is a lifeguard during the summer months. Parking is limited.

WEST TISBURY

11. LONG POINT WILDLIFE REFUGE (Long Cove Pond & South Beach)
On the Vineyard's southern shore, this barrier beach just east of Tisbury Great Pond offers both fresh and salt water swimming. Natural History Tours. Owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

12. LAMBERT'S COVE BEACH
Considered by many to have the finest sand and clearest water on the North Shore. Located off Lambert's Cove Road. West Tisbury residents only.

CHILMARK

13. MENEMSHA
Gentle Vineyard Sound surf and great sunsets make this an all-day favorite. Next to Menemsha Harbor, a working fishing port. Bring your camera to this quaint, scenic village.

14. LUCY VINCENT BEACH
Chilmark section of the south shore. Surf, sand and bluffs. Chilmark residents only.

15. SQUIBNOCKET BEACH
Chilmark south shore. A surfing beach. Chilmark residents only.

AQUINNAH

16. LOBSTERVILLE BEACH
This two-mile dune beach off Lobsterville Road faces Vineyard Sound and is also a popular fishing spot. Parking is limited.

17. AQUINNAH PUBLIC BEACH (Moshup Beach)
On the southwestern shore, this surf beach off Moshup Trail provides a delightful walk along the base of the Gay Head Cliffs--one of the most photogenic spots on the Island. Good to know: Parking is on a fee basis and the parking area is a 10-minute walk from the beach.

18. PHILBIN BEACH
Surf beach off Moshup Trail. Aquinnah residents only.