Category Archives: Feature

Vineyard Beaches ~ Menemsha Town Beach

 Menemsha Town Beach

Menemsha Town Beach is a small, less than a half of a mile long, beach located right next to the Menemsha Harbor and at the end of Basin Rd in the town of Chilmark. The beach is a little rocky, and the water is a little colder due to the northern location on the island, but it is one of the lesser visited beaches, with one of the best views of the Ocean and Vineyard coastline.

Menemsha is one of the best spots on the island to watch sunsets. You can grab dinner, and have a pic-nic on the beach with your family while viewing a natural, technicolor masterpiece. The colors of the sky vary depending on what time of year you’re visiting. Earlier in the summer you’re more likely to see beautiful pastel pinks and oranges through the fading sky, but in late August / early September the colors are more vivid and intense.

Here’s some insider knowledge for your visit: Parking for the beach is only an hour long. So if you want to come during the day we suggest taking the bus run via the Vineyard Transit Authority. The bus is scheduled for hourly service during the summer season, and only costs $2 per transfer, giving you plenty of beach time without worrying about getting a parking ticket.

 

 

If you’d like to stay in Menemsha, we have some wonderful options available to you. Please Click here  to start searching.

 

 

We welcome your questions or comments.

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Vineyard Beaches ~ State Beach

Island Map - State Beach

One of the things I love about State Beach is that any given moment you could see people tubing, kite surfing, jumping off second “Jaws” bridge, kayaking, wading in the calm shallow water, boats rafting up together,  a friendly game of paddle ball, and much more. State Beach is known for its calm, shallow waters that makes it ideal for water sports and families with small children. On the other side of the three mile long beach is Sengekontacket Pond (pronounced Singe-a-con-tack-it Pond) where you can swim, kayak, kite surf, and even go clamming if you purchase a permit by going to the town hall of either Oak Bluffs or Edgartown depending on what side of the pond you are (Insider factoid: “Jaws Bridge” is the dividing line between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown).

Insider Tips:

  • Get here early in the day because parking is hard to find, especially near the coveted Jaws bridge. Parking spots fill up around 10:30 am, so plan on getting there before that.
  • Can’t make it early? Try coming after three pm; people tend to  leave the beach between three and four to get ready for their evening activities. you still get in a couple of hours of beach time.
  • Check the tide schedule. The island has had a lot of erosion this year due to storms. Time your arrival for the end of high tide. This gives you plenty of time with a lot more space on the beach then if you came at the end of low tide.
  • Don’t be afraid to set up camp on Sengekontacket pond. You’ll have a lot more space, and easy access to the state beach as well.
  • Pack your own food and drinks. There is a food stand, but if you’re not right next to second bridge it’s a bit of a walk to reach it.

 

 

 

Looking for a house on or near the water? Click here to search through our inventory of over 500 homes.

We welcome your questions or comments.

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc.  Email

Vineyard Beaches ~ South Beach

Island Map - south beachLocated on the south side of the island, South beach is one of the more popular and largest beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. With three miles of pristine shoreline you’ll find people of all ages here. There’s families spending the day together, teenagers escaping their parents, twenty somethings on break from college, and adults of all ages hanging out with friends they haven’t seen in ages.

 South Beach on a sunny day

Here’s a local’s tip: if you’re here for a week or more, make sure you come on a week day. This way the beach won’t be as crowded as they are on the weekends.

 South Beach Waves

Recently beach volleyball nets have been erected so if you have a ball you can challenge your family and/or friends to a friendly game. The losing team has to cook dinner though 😉 But as much asI love beating my friends, my favorite South Beach activity has to be body surfing. The waves here are perfect for it.

Norton Point

Here’s another local’s tip: if you go to the “left fork” of south beach and you have a truck or SUV you can actually drive out on to Norton Point if you purchase an over the sand permit for the day.  Perfect if you love shore casting for fish or if you want to get away from the crowds.

 

 

We have some lovely rental homes available with close proximity to South Beach available for the Martha’s Vineyard 2013 season. Start your search here.

We welcome your questions or comments.

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc.  Email