Chappaquiddick, an island connected to the island of Martha’s Vineyard is perhaps the most secluded yet serene area of Martha’s Vineyard. Chappaquiddick translates loosely to “separate island” and is accessible only by a three car ferry called the “On Time (I, II, & III)” out of Edgartown, or by private boat.
Last year a close friend of mine and I took the day off and spent an entire day there just exploring. First we took my Jeep over to Wasque beach (pronounced “Way – Skwee”) which is known for its soft sandy beaches, fishing and swimming. It is currently under a vast change due to all the weather erosion we’ve had the past couple of years. One day to the next is a completely different view. Please be aware that, due to erosion, there is a chance of falling trees off the cliffs, as well as a strong current. While we were there, we felt like we had been transported to a different world. Just a three minute boat ride and gone is the traffic, the crowds, the “city noise”, and all that’s left is the beauty and tranquility of Chappaquiddick.
Next we drove to the famous Dike Bridge and the Cape Poge Wild Life Refuge. There are over 1,000 acres of wild life preserved land here, at any given moment you can find sandpipers and shore casters sharing the waters edge. This remote beach is roughly 7 miles long and you can actually drive your Jeep, SUV, or Truck on to the beach, but you need to purchase an over the sand permit in order to do this. If you don’t have a permit, or a vehicle to take on to the sand there’s a neat Jeep tour that takes you out to the Cape Poge Light House where the opening scene of “Jaws” was filmed.
Lastly, we visited the Mytoi Gardens, a beautiful Japanese garden that is centered around a large pond. A stroll through these stunning gardens makes you realize that Chappaquiddick truly is a magical place. It’s as if all your troubles wash away for a few hours as you discover a new world.
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