Region
Martha's Vineyard
Go for 2–3 nights in June or September; day-tripping from Cape Cod costs 4+ hours in ferry queues.
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Key facts · United States
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Currency
- US dollar (USD, $)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Martha's Vineyard is 8 miles off Cape Cod and about 100 square miles end to end. The ferry crossing is short, but parking, queues and the last boat back eat a day trip. Sleep on the island for 2–3 nights, base in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, and use the bus or a bike for the up-island cliffs and Menemsha.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- Oak BluffsCity guide
Down-island: ferry from Cape Cod mid-May to mid-Oct, harbour, nightlife.
Best Jun–Aug
JFMAMJJASOND - Tisbury (Vineyard Haven)City guide
Year-round ferry port; the island's only campground.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND
Day trip
- West TisburyCity guide
Up-island: farmers market, Felix Neck, airport.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Edgartown or Oak Bluffs 2; one down-island day, one up-island loop
- 3 nights
- Down-island 2 + Chilmark/Menemsha 1; Aquinnah on the way west
- Driving a car onto the ferry in summer needs a reservation well ahead; foot passengers rarely need one.
- Ticks carry Lyme disease and other infections here; check after hiking.
- Poison ivy grows along trails — three shiny leaves.
- Jellyfish drift north in summer, common at State Beach.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinnah (Gay Head cliffs) | Edgartown | 45 min | check | Bus 5 or car; pay parking at Moshup Beach, short walk in. |
| Menemsha | Oak Bluffs | 40 min | check | One of the few east-coast spots with sunset over water; go for the evening. |
| Chappaquiddick | Edgartown | 5 min | check | Chappy Ferry takes pedestrians, bikes and up to three cars. |
Bags between cities
Ferries carry luggage as foot passengers; no island-wide luggage forwarding — plan to carry bags on the bus or in a taxi.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgartown | × | × | × | ok | go | go | ok | ok | go | ok | × | × |
| Oak Bluffs | × | × | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | ok | ok | ok | × |
| Tisbury (Vineyard Haven) | × | × | × | ok | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | × | × |
| West Tisbury | × | × | × | × | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | × | × |
| Chilmark | × | × | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | × |
| Aquinnah | × | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | × | × |
| United States (country-wide) | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island-wideMartha's Vineyard | cold | cold | cool | ok | best | best | hot | hot | best | best | cool | cold |
- Island-wide
- Maritime: summer highs around 25 °C (77 °F), winter around 4 °C (39 °F). September is warm with fewer crowds; summer weekends fill ferries and beds.Maritime: summer highs around 77 °F (25 °C), winter around 39 °F (4 °C). September is warm with fewer crowds; summer weekends fill ferries and beds.
Book ferries and rooms months ahead for July–August and holiday weekends.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woods Hole (Falmouth) | Vineyard Haven (year-round) or Oak Bluffs (mid-May–mid-Oct) | Steamship Authority ferry | ~45 min crossing | Only line carrying cars; reserve well ahead in summer. |
| Falmouth Harbor | Oak Bluffs | Island Queen passenger ferry | ~35 min crossing | Foot passengers only; seasonal. |
| Hyannis | Oak Bluffs | Hy-Line Cruises | ~1 h 15 | Passenger ferry; seasonal schedule. |
| Quonset Point, North Kingstown RI | Oak Bluffs | Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry | ~1 h 30 | Useful from Providence/Boston south; seasonal. |
| New Bedford | Oak Bluffs | Hy-Line / fast ferry | ~1 h | Seasonal; confirm the operator before booking. |
| MVY (Martha's Vineyard Airport) | West Tisbury / Edgartown | Cape Air, JetBlue, American, Delta, TradeWind | ~3.7 mi east of West Tisbury | Regional flights from Boston, Hyannis, Providence, New Bedford, New York and seasonal hubs. |
Regional passes
VTA bus day pass
buy1-day US$10, 3-day US$15, 7-day US$25 (2026 estimate); single ride about US$1 per town crossed.
Bike rental
buyMost roads have a bike path and the island is mostly flat; up-island is hillier. Helmets required under 16.
Car ferry reservation
skipOnly worth it if you need a car up-island; buses and bikes cover most trips.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Seafood and chowder | Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Menemsha | Menemsha is the classic spot for fried clams and sunset; expect queues in summer. |
| Farmers market produce | West Tisbury | Seasonal; summer mornings. |
| BYO dinner | Chilmark | Dry town — bring your own wine to restaurants. |
Go next
Cape Cod
plannedSteamship Authority ferry to Woods Hole, ~45 min
Base for Falmouth, Hyannis and the rest of the Cape.
Massachusetts
Ferry + car or bus
Boston is about 1 h 30 from Woods Hole.
Rhode Island
Fast ferry to Quonset Point, then car
Providence and Newport are within reach.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 3 bases
- Day trips
- 3, 5 min to 45 min
- Nights suggested
- 2–3 nights
- Ways in
- 6 listed
- Best months
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Martha's Vineyard
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