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Activities

4 Fun Things to Do on Martha’s Vineyard

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Things to Do on Martha's VineyardThere are many reasons why Martha’s Vineyard has become one of the top vacation destinations in the country. People are drawn to the quaint towns, beautiful beaches, picturesque landscape, and island living in general. Another reason the island is so popular is that there are so many things to do on Martha’s Vineyard. Whether you want to experience fine dining, lounge on the beach, see the sights, or take a tour, you’ll never run out of things to do on Martha’s Vineyard.

Visit Area Beaches

One of the best things to do on Martha’s Vineyard is to visit one of the island’s many beaches. Martha’s Vineyard beaches are diverse in their sizes and features, so everyone has a favorite. Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach is great for swimming and also has a bike path. Katama Beach is another popular beach where you’ll find sweeping dunes, nice waves, and plenty of parking. For a more isolated beach going experience, you might want to head to Moshup Beach or East Beach for some solitude.

Enjoy Fine Dining

Another of the great things to do on Martha’s Vineyard is to dine at one of the amazing restaurants on the island. No matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, there will be at least one establishment that will fulfill your appetite. The Red Cat Kitchen is a great restaurant in Oak Bluffs with a Contemporary American menu and great seafood.  If you’re up-island, then State Road Restaurant in West Tisbury is the place to go. In Edgartown, L’etoile gets rave reviews for its French and American cuisine. There are stellar restaurants in other areas of the island as well.

Visit the Island’s Lighthouses

Lighthouses are an iconic part of the Martha’s Vineyard landscape. It only makes sense that one of the popular things to do on Martha’s Vineyard is to visit the area’s lighthouses. These lights have been a part of the island for centuries and luckily they’re still standing today. The five lighthouses on the island also represent on of the most diverse varieties of lighthouse types in such a contained area. So, find the perfect photo op and visit one of the following Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses!

  • Gay Head Lighthouse | Aquinnah
  • West Chop Lighthouse | Vineyard Haven
  • East Chop Lighthouse | Oak Bluffs
  • Edgartown Lighthouse | Edgartown
  • Cape Poge Lighthouse | Chappaquiddick

Take to The Water

A great way to explore the island is by sea. Whether you want to kayak or take a boat tour, there are many ways to enjoy Martha’s Vineyard from the water. Sailing charters are always a fun activity that gets you out on the water so you can see the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard’s coast. Mad Max Sailing Adventures‘ state-of-the-art Catamaran departs out of Edgartown twice every day and Martha’s Vineyard Leisure Boat Charters in Oak Bluffs has several different tours to choose from. There are also many other sailing charters you can take advantage of. If you’d rather see the coastline by kayak, then Martha’s Vineyard Eco Adventures or Island Spirit Kayak will guide you on unforgettable trips!

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No matter which of these things to do on Martha’s Vineyard you decide to take part in, you can be sure your time on the island is both comfortable and memorable when you choose to stay at a Sandpiper Rentals property. Our vacation homes feature luxurious accommodations in prized locations, so you can stay in style anywhere on the island. We know that you’ll have a great getaway to The Vineyard during your stay in with Sandpiper Rentals!

Beaches

6 of the Best Martha’s Vineyard Beaches

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Martha's Vineyard BeachesHere at Sandpiper Rentals, we know there are many reasons to visit Martha’s Vineyard and one of the top reasons to come to the island is to go to the beach. Martha’s Vineyard beaches are some of the best beaches in New England. Because of the nature of island life, you’ll find no shortage of opportunity to spend time on one or more of the amazing beaches in the area. Everyone has their favorite Martha’s Vineyard beaches, and really, they all have tons of charm. So, in no particular order, here are six of the best Martha’s Vineyard beaches. Make sure to visit at least one during your island getaway.

Menemsha Beach

Menemsha Beach is located in Chilmark next to Menemsha Harbor. The beach has lifeguards and restrooms and is popular with families. The waves are gentle and the water is clear. This is also one of the Martha’s Vineyard beaches described as a perfect place to see the sunset.

Aquinnah Beach/Moshup Beach

Aquinnah Beach, also known as Moshup Beach is one of the Martha’s Vineyard beaches that is more isolated and usually less crowded. Visitors to this beach will be rewarded with views of the  iconic clay Aquinnah Cliffs.

East Beach

A well-kept secret among Martha’s Vineyard Beaches, East Beach is a bit out of the way for some, but definitely worth the effort to visit. It’s ideal for those who want a more private beach experience and can enjoy a bit of solitude. Many people take bikes to this beach, or park their car near Dyke Bridge and walk out to the beach.

South Beach/Katama Beach

People often say that if you can only make it to one beach during your time on Martha’s Vineyard, you should head to South Beach. Also known as Katama Beach, this beach is a three-mile long barrier strand that has nice waves, picturesque dunes, and plenty of places to park. It’s also accessible by bike path and by shuttle.

Lobsterville Beach

Though this is one of the Martha’s Vineyard beaches where parking is for residents only, you can still access the beach if you take a bike ride to or from Aquinnah, where the beach is located. The calm, shallow waters are good for children and those who just want to enjoy gentle waves. Birders also like to frequent this beach as it’s a good place to spot terns and gulls that nest behind the dunes. It is located in Aquinnah on Menemsha Pond.

Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach

This is one of the most popular beaches on Martha’s Vineyard and is located halfway between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The mile long sandy beach is flanked by a paved bike path. It has views of Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound. The waves are warm, gentle, and perfect for swimming.  There is also a wooden bridge (also known as Second Bridge or Jaws Bridge) on the beach that is a local landmark that people have been jumping into the water from for years.

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No matter which of these Martha’s Vineyard beaches you visit, you can stay in style when you choose Sandpiper Rentals for your vacation rental needs. Our luxurious properties are located all over the island so you can be near the beaches and other attractions you want to visit while you’re on Martha’s Vineyard.

Beaches

Moshup Beach Should Not Be Missed

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Moshup BeachMartha’s Vineyard is a favorite getaway destination for a number of reasons. The great atmosphere and the large variety of activities make the Vineyard a truly special place to spend time. Our pristine and picturesque beaches are also among the top reasons that this is the perfect summer getaway spot. There is nothing better than spending the day stretched out on the sand or enjoying the surf on a Martha’s Vineyard beach. Often overlooked by tourists, we think that Moshup Beach is among the best on the island for several reasons. If you want a serene, secluded, and more private beach going experience then you should head over to Moshup Beach to relax and maybe soak up some sun.

About Moshup Beach

Also known as Aquinnah Public Beach, Moshup Beach is a true gem for many reasons.  It is a great spot for beach lovers, natural history enthusiasts, and those interested in general sightseeing. The beauty of Moshup Beach is increased by the backdrop of the Aquinnah Cliffs, a remnant of ages ago when this part of the world was still being formed. The striated clay cliffs will make an impact on you even if you’re not into geology. Another reason that Moshup Beach is a wonderful place to visit is its seclusion. Since it is near Aquinnah, it is a bit more isolated than some of the other beaches on Martha’s Vineyard.  So if solitude is what you crave, you can’t go wrong with Moshup Beach. The beach can be accessed from the public boardwalk for the beach. If you park in one of the designated pay lots, you can take the trail down to the beach, which is a pleasant hike. There is no fee to use the beach,  just to park.

Things to Do at Moshup Beach

Beachgoers at Moshup Beach have quite a few activities to choose from during their time on the beach. The waters can be a bit chilly, but on a warm summer day, going for a dip can be delightfully refreshing. Or, you may be someone who just enjoys sitting out in the sun with a book.  Moshup Beach is perfect for that as well. Walking the beach and taking in the beauty of the surroundings is another popular past times. As long as you don’t take anything from the beach, beach combing and exploring are also worthwhile endeavors.

Staying Near Moshup Beach

When you’re planning your visit to Moshup Beach, make sure you also arrange for the best vacation rental accommodations on Martha’s Vineyard. Sandpiper Rentals has a number of beautiful rental properties in Aquinnah that are convenient to Moshup Beach. Whether you’re bringing the whole family or just a few people, our rentals can accommodate parties of many sizes. The Aquinnah rentals provide you with a personal haven for your time on Martha’s Vineyard because they’re removed from the busy parts of the island and give you a true sense of solitude.  And because they’re Sandpiper Rentals properties, you can be sure that the accommodations are top notch! We can’t wait to see you on the island soon!

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Photo: Camille King on flickr via Creative Commons