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Getting Here, Martha's Vineyard, Things To Do

Visit Us Via the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry

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Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism / Marthas Vineyard, Steamship Authority Ferry / Flickr
Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism / Marthas Vineyard, Steamship Authority Ferry / Flickr

When looking to visit Martha’s Vineyard, enjoy the ease and comfort of taking a ferry. There are several options to check out from a number of different locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Here are ways you can visit us via the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from Woods Hole

The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard. They offer low fares along with convenient times and frequent departures to get you to your destination on time. Steamship Authority has ferries that go to Martha’s Vineyard from Woods Hole several times during the day, allowing you to find a time that works when going from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard and back. The trip lasts about 45 minutes and you can enjoy free Wi-Fi when on a Steamship Authority ferry.

There is an on-board snack bar offering refreshments, beer and wine. The ferry offers plenty of comfortable seating for the trip. If you’re looking to bring your vehicle with you to Martha’s Vineyard, you can make a reservation ahead of time in preparation for your trip. Transporting a vehicle without a reservation is allowed on stand-by basis unless it’s a busy holiday time. Stand-by is not allowed during peak (summer) season. You can be wait-listed, but have you must have an existing reservation to do so. For more information, click over to Steamship Authority’s website.

 

Passenger reservations are not required for the traditional ferries to Martha’s Vineyard. Passengers and vehicles must be at the dock and ready for boarding at least 30 minutes prior to departure. If it’s during the summer, it’s recommended that you arrive 45-60 minutes ahead of departure. Visitors can also park their cars in Steamship Authority’s lots and use their shuttle to get to the ferry. For more information, visit Steamship Authority’s website.

There are many travel options to arrive to Woods Hole from Boston and New York City, along with the surrounding areas so you can catch the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard on Steamship Authority.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from Hyannis

Hy-Line Cruises offers secondary passenger ferry service from Hyannis, a nearby town to Woods Hole. There are several times to leave from Hyannis to Martha’s Vineyard each day. Depending on the season, make sure to check the schedule to see when the ferries are leaving.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from Falmouth

Island Queen resumes ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard on May 22 out of Falmouth. Enjoy the 35-minute trip on the ferry that operates from May to October. Although Island Queen does not offer vehicle transportation, they do offer bicycle and pet transportation along with passengers. Passengers are advised to arrive 45-minutes ahead of departure time.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from Quonset Point

The Vineyard Fast Ferry takes passengers from Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Martha’s Vineyard. Operating at a high speed, the Vineyard Fast Ferry can accommodate over 400 passengers, bikes and luggage. Located minutes from I-95, the ferry is convenient to passengers in other parts of New England. Parking is offered for $10 a day.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from New Bedford

The Seastreak offers a 60-minute passenger ferry ride from New Bedford. Kids ride for free on the comfortable vessel. On-site parking is available.

There are many great options for visitors to choose when coming to Martha’s Vineyard. Let Sandpiper Rentals help you find a great vacation home to rent on Martha’s Vineyard and then take a comfortable and scenic ferry ride over. There are many great things to experience on Martha’s Vineyard and there are affordable and convenient ways to enjoy them!

Feature, Feature Friday, Martha's Vineyard, Quiet Getaways, Things To Do, Vineyard Haven

#FeatureFriday: #1256 Weekend Getaway from Boston

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Weekend Getaway from Boston
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When the sun finally starts to peak from behind the snow clouds, I can’t wait to plan a trip away. The snow loses its charm and turns dirty grey. You want to get away for a short time with your someone special to relax and rejuvenate. When you deal with the 9-5 bustle during the week, sometimes you need a change of scenery to make it to the next week.1256

Massachusetts is one of those unique places where you can be away from it all and not too far away. Sometimes you just need a weekend getaway from Boston. Martha’s Vineyard is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Boston–also known as about an hour’s drive from the ferry.1256

The Steamship Authority allows you many ways to get you across the ocean. You’re able to park in one of their many lots and take a shuttle to the ferry. Or you can schedule a reservation and drive right on and off. If you would rather forget about driving all together, Peter Pan Bus offers a trip from South Station to  the ferry. Just pack a bag and go!1256

This perfect two bedroom, two bathroom retreat overlooks Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven. The charming living room makes for a welcome area to relax after a day at the beach. This is  such a wonderful retreat for a couple or two looking to get away from the hustle and bustle from the city. A perfect setting to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.         1256Really, just an adorable, well maintained, immaculate waterfront cottage with an upper and lower deck, outdoor grilling, lovely side and back yards, enclosed outdoor shower, with plenty of parking. And for those that chose to either park on the other side or take the Peter Pan, this rental is a short distance to both the ferry and town.

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Inside you will find a retro, yet efficient kitchen, first floor bedroom and private bathroom with access to the back porch. Also an adorable eat in area of the cozy living space which has a serene view of the pond. Upstairs is the king master suite with its own sitting area, deck and bathroom.1256Truly a comfortable Vineyard Haven treasure for a single family or two couples waiting to spend one weekend during the off season, a week during the summer, or the entire summer.1256

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Sandpiper RentalsView our vacation rental properties here
Contact: rent@sandpiperrental.com

Chilmark, Edgartown, Feature, Getting Here, Martha's Vineyard, MV Rentals, Vineyard Haven

Get away with it!

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How do I love getting to thee Martha’s Vineyard? Let me count the ways…

While photographing two of our houses in Vineyard Haven today I saw a huge Schooner passing by East Chop lighthouse and a little plane overhead and as usual, the Island Home plowing along. On such a pretty day it reminded me that we are on an island and though it’s never easy to get here it can be fun.

Value
I grew up on the lower cape, my family lives in Brewster, so my most desirable summer route “home” is aboard the Hyline Fast Ferry http://www.hylinecruises.com/ from Oak Bluffs to Hyannis in 55 minutes. I live about two blocks from where the fast ferry takes off in OB Harbor which allows for a 1 ½ hour commute door to door, as opposed to what the Steamship Authority http://www.steamshipauthority.com/ offers – 10 min drive to VH, 45 min boat ride, 1 ½ hour drive to Brewster, which with traffic usually takes 3 hours door to door. The $240 commuter book for Hyline is key – the face value of these precious passes is $71/round trip, or $48 with the book of ten one-way tickets. Somehow they found out my birthday is in April and they send me a $10 coupon every year, which helps bring this valuable purchase down even more.

Value + Fun
Cape Air https://www.capeair.com/ has announced that their MVY – Providence service will begin June 15th! Ah, if only it could start a little sooner, I could fly to PVD to catch my New Orleans flight for Jazz Fest http://www.nojazzfest.com/ next week. Check Cape Air every Tuesday for flight deals on commuter books. These are always good to have in a pinch, especially when you’re trapped at Logan, exhausted and not psyched about schlepping your stuff to South Station to catch the Peter Pan bus http://www.peterpanbus.com/ back to Woods Hole. I’ve visited the Cape Air counter in Terminal C many times in this situation and usually the last minute rate for the next flight to MVY rivals that of a transatlantic flight! If you’ve got your commuter book, it’ll cost you $149.99. Or buy a book to Hyannis for $41.90 each way. The flight is about 15 minutes and allows for spectacular views of Nantucket Sound. A couple of times I’ve been the only passenger on board and got to sit up front and play co-pilot.

Value + Fun = Escape
When MVY is too much for me to handle around August, I escape to my cousin’s house in Newport, Rhode Island which is equally crazy but it’s not my crazy so I enjoy it, especially for Folk Fest http://www.newportfolkfest.net/. For this trip I take the Sea Streak from OB/VH to downtown New Bedford http://www.seastreak.com/. This ferry definitely features the best crew of all the services to and from the vineyard. I’ve had the captain hold the boat for me several times just from a phone call, while stuck in New Beige traffic. And, make sure you flash an island addressed driver’s license for a discount – the $34 one-way will cost you a mere $28 bucks. With a full bar, A/C and a beautiful yet exhilarating ride through Woods Hole Passage (they’re known for not slowing down), this is the best way to get away when Oak Bluffs turns into Wally World.

Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to reside on this lovely island and I need reminders. When they come, via sailboat, plane or ferry sighting, I am filled with gratitude! For those travelling here, we have some great houses that still have summer availability for weekly rentals.

Contact Rose Ryley

to confirm availability for these Martha’s Vineyard vacation homes

rose@sandpiperrental.com

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc.

901 – Vineyard Haven – In Town Lovely Porch – Blocks from Ferry

954 – Vineyard Haven – West Chop Beautiful peaceful views and garden

7775 – Edgartown – Outer Huge yard – Great for Entertaining

*ferry reservations available with rental*

2070 – Chilmark – Middle Road Total Escape – Convenient way to enjoy UpIsland