Martha's Vineyard has over 120 miles of shoreline. Most of it — the miles that don't appear on tourist maps, that don't have parking lots or shuttle buses, that don't fill up on July afternoons — is only reachable by water. The island's geography creates a remarkable situation: some of its finest beaches require a boat to access, and the visitors who never get on a charter never find them.
This isn't a secret list of exclusive private beaches. The places on this guide are legitimate, publicly accessible (in most cases), and simply unreachable without a boat, kayak, or charter. They range from a Land Bank-managed Atlantic barrier beach across a great pond that can only be reached by paddlecraft, to the beaches of Cuttyhunk — a 1.5-mile island at the end of the Elizabeth Islands chain where roughly 20 people live year-round and the raw bar delivers freshly shucked oysters directly to your boat.
Here is what actually exists out there, verified from primary sources, with the correct access rules and how to reach each one.
Why boat-access beaches exist on Martha's Vineyard
The answer is geography, conservation, and a land ownership pattern unique to this part of New England.
Martha's Vineyard's coastline includes long barrier beaches that separate Atlantic Ocean surf from protected salt ponds — these barrier beaches are typically accessible only from the water, since the ponds themselves lie between the beach and any road. Up-island, the majority of beaches in West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah are either privately owned or restricted to town residents and renters, with only a handful of exceptions. And the surrounding islands — Chappaquiddick, the Elizabeth Islands chain, and Cuttyhunk at the far end — are accessible from Martha's Vineyard only by water.
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission (a public conservation organization funded by a real estate transfer tax) owns and manages several of these properties specifically to preserve public shore access. Some of them, like Edgartown Great Pond Beach, are reachable exclusively by canoe or kayak. Others, like East Beach on Chappaquiddick, require a boat or a 4x4 with a permit. The Elizabeth Islands are privately owned by the Forbes family — descendants of John Murray Forbes — but the waters around them are navigable, and a charter captain can drop anchor in their coves for a beach day that feels entirely private.
The common thread: a boat changes what's possible on Martha's Vineyard in a way that a rental car simply doesn't.
Edgartown Great Pond Beach — the Atlantic barrier beach across the pond
This is Martha's Vineyard's most genuinely boat-only public beach. The Edgartown Great Pond Beach is a section of barrier beach separating the Edgartown Great Pond from the Atlantic Ocean, owned and managed by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission. All access is by canoe or kayak only — there is no road, no trail, and no other way to reach it. Even the Land Bank's own documentation is explicit: “Access is by canoe and kayak only, which visitors themselves must supply.”
The mechanics work like this: launch from the town landing on Turkeyland Neck (follow the Road to the Plains to Meetinghouse Way, then the dirt road to the pond's edge), paddle 1.1 miles across the Edgartown Great Pond, and land only on the marked Land Bank beach. Before the Land Bank's purchase, every inch of this two-mile barrier beach was privately owned. Now a public section exists — but it might as well be a secret, because the only people who know about it are the ones willing to paddle across a great pond to find it.
What you get on arrival: an Atlantic-facing barrier beach with open surf, almost certain solitude (the combination of the paddle and the lack of facilities keeps crowds away), and a panoramic view back across the pond toward Wequobsque Cliffs in Chilmark to the west. There are no facilities whatsoever. Carry everything in and out. Bring more water than you think you need — the paddle back is a full 1.1 miles of open pond.
Access: Canoe or kayak only, self-supplied. Launch from Turkeyland Cove Park. Managed by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission.
Best for: Paddlers willing to earn it; absolute solitude; serious beachcombers.
East Beach and Cape Pogue — Chappaquiddick's wild Atlantic shore
Chappaquiddick Island sits about 527 feet east of Edgartown, separated by a narrow channel. You can cross on the famous On Time Ferry ($4/passenger) or arrive directly by boat to the beaches on the island's eastern and northern shore. What's waiting on the other side is some of the most undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Massachusetts.
East Beach runs along the eastern edge of the Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation, both managed by The Trustees of Reservations. Multiple sources describe it simply as one of Martha's Vineyard's best beaches. It's largely empty. Few visitors make it this far — the road from the Chappy Ferry landing to East Beach is sandy, remote, and generally requires a 4x4 with a Trustees over-sand vehicle (OSV) permit. Those arriving by boat skip the road entirely and land directly on the beach.
Arriving by charter boat lets you explore the Cape Pogue Lighthouse from the water, anchor in the calm tidal flats on the west side, and then go ashore on the Atlantic beach. The Cape Pogue Lighthouse (first erected in 1801) is one of the most remote lighthouses on the island — only the Trustees' lighthouse tours reach it on land, but every MV charter captain who heads northeast from Edgartown passes it within a few hundred yards. The Trustees charge a fee ($3/adult, with Trustees members free) for access via their managed driving routes from May 30 to October 15.
Wasque Point, at the southeastern tip of Chappaquiddick where the Atlantic and Nantucket Sound converge, produces some of the most violent rip currents on the East Coast — which is exactly why it's among the island's premier fishing spots (see our Martha's Vineyard fishing guide for the full picture). From a boat, you can anchor safely in the eddy behind the point and watch surf casters working the beach below. Don't swim at Wasque. The currents here are not forgiving.
Access: Via On Time Ferry from Edgartown (foot passengers, bikes, up to 3 cars; continuous service in season) or by boat to the beach directly. OSV permit required for over-sand driving on Chappaquiddick. Trustees of Reservations manages Cape Pogue and Wasque.
Best for: Solitude, wildlife (osprey, piping plover, shorebirds), fishing, lighthouse views, serious beachcombing.
Charter operators that go here: Island Girl Excursions, MV Leisure Charters, Plan Sea Adventure Charters, and most private sailing charters departing Edgartown.
The Elizabeth Islands — private archipelago, public waters
The Elizabeth Islands are a chain of 16 small islands stretching southwest from Woods Hole toward Cuttyhunk, running along the north side of Vineyard Sound. They are almost entirely privately owned by the Forbes family — one of New England's oldest dynasties, descendants of China Trade merchant John Murray Forbes. With the exception of Cuttyhunk and tiny Penikese (now a seabird sanctuary), the Elizabeth Islands are not open to the public. You cannot set foot on Naushon, Nashawena, Pasque, or the others without permission.
What you can do is navigate the waters around them by boat, anchor in their coves, and experience a sense of complete isolation that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else on the New England coast. The Forbes family has maintained the islands essentially unchanged for over 150 years. There are no hotels, no vacation rentals, no roads open to visitors. From the water, you see meadows, farmland, dramatic cliffs, and shorelines that look the same as they did in the 19th century.
Nashawena Island is famous among the MV charter community for one specific sight: Highland cattle that occasionally swim into Buzzards Bay and stand in the shallows. MV Leisure Charters specifically lists the “swimming cows of Nashawena” as an add-on attraction on their Cuttyhunk day trip (the sighting is not guaranteed — they are not always on the beach). This is the kind of thing you either see from a boat or you don't see at all.
Penikese Island is managed by Massachusetts Audubon as a seabird sanctuary. It hosts significant nesting colonies of rare tern species, and Mass Audubon occasionally runs guided boat tours from Falmouth Harbor that include Penikese alongside Cuttyhunk. The island also has a remarkable history: it was the site of one of the first leper colonies in American history (1905–1921), and later a school for troubled youth. Today it belongs to the birds.
Access: Waters around the Elizabeth Islands are freely navigable. Landing on the private islands is not permitted without invitation. Penikese: Mass Audubon guided tours from Falmouth Harbor seasonally.
Best for: Spectacular open-water cruising; wildlife viewing; seeing wild New England coastline in an unchanged state.
Charter operators: MV Leisure Charters (Cuttyhunk Day Trip, including Elizabeth Islands cruise from $1,695 full day); Island Girl Excursions (Elizabeth Islands Beach Days and Cuttyhunk Sightseeing, up to 6 passengers, from $1,400 for 5-hour charter); Plan Sea Adventure Charters (Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands Adventure, 4–5 hour private charter from Oak Bluffs or Falmouth).
Cuttyhunk Island — the end of the archipelago
Cuttyhunk is the last island in the Elizabeth Islands chain, the only one open to the public, and the most remote inhabited island in Massachusetts. It sits about 14 miles from Martha's Vineyard. The year-round population is roughly 20 people. In summer it grows to perhaps 500. There are no cars (golf carts only), no traffic lights, no chain restaurants, and (critically) no liquor stores — the island is dry, so bring your own.
There is also a raw bar that paddles out to your boat and serves Cuttyhunk oysters — the island's own Belon oysters raised in West End Pond by the Garfield family, widely considered among the finest shellfish in Buzzards Bay — along with fresh clams, crab spread, and chowder. You can literally eat oysters on your boat while looking at the island where they were grown.
Cuttyhunk's beaches wrap around almost the entire island. The most popular is Barges Beach on the island's east side, accessible from the marina by a short walk. The beach extends far enough in both directions that finding a private stretch is easy even in peak summer. The western end of the island is a nature preserve with hiking trails, World War II bunkers (the island was a strategic coastal defense position), and views in every direction — Vineyard, Block Island, and the mainland on a clear day.
The approach to Cuttyhunk Harbor from Martha's Vineyard is genuinely tricky. The harbor entrance involves navigating channels with strong currents and tide-sensitive shoals that are “difficult for the inexperienced boater,” as multiple local sources confirm. A charter captain who knows these waters is the right way to get there on a day trip.
From Menemsha, the crossing to Cuttyhunk takes about 45 minutes by powerboat. Island Girl Excursions, MV Leisure Charters, and Plan Sea Adventure Charters all offer Cuttyhunk day trips. Plan Sea's motor vessel takes approximately three hours from Oak Bluffs, with two hours ashore. The Nobnocket Boutique Inn partners with Island Girl Excursions on a dedicated 5-hour Elizabeth Islands and Cuttyhunk charter for up to 6 guests at $1,400. A Cuttyhunk ferry also runs seasonally from New Bedford on the mainland for those who want a simpler crossing.
What to do with your time ashore: eat at the harbor fish dock, visit the Cuttyhunk Historical Society Museum on Tower Hill Road (rotating exhibits on the Wampanoag people, island whaling history, and WWII), walk the trails to the west-end bunkers, and spend an hour on Barges Beach before heading back across the Sound.
Access: Charter boat from Martha's Vineyard (Menemsha, Oak Bluffs, or Edgartown); ferry from New Bedford; private boat. Harbor entry requires navigation experience; local charter captains recommended.
Best for: A full different-island experience; oysters; hiking; photography; disconnecting from everything.
Charter operators: Island Girl Excursions (Elizabeth Islands Beach Days including Cuttyhunk sightseeing, from $1,400/6 people/5 hrs); MV Leisure Charters (Cuttyhunk Day Trip, ~7 hrs, from $1,695 full day; optional Penikese seal colony add-on +$150); Plan Sea Adventure Charters (Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands Adventure, 4–5 hours).
Chilmark Pond Beach — canoe and kayak access only
This is another Land Bank gem that most visitors never know about. A small Atlantic-facing swimming beach on the Chilmark Pond property is accessible only by canoe or kayak, launched from a canoe drop on the Chilmark Pond shoreline. The ocean beach is across the pond — same concept as Edgartown Great Pond Beach, but in Chilmark.
The Chilmark Pond property itself contains a rare coastal landscape: a pond, ocean beach, and the interface between them on a section of south shore that would otherwise be entirely off-limits (most of Chilmark's south shore beaches are residents-only). The Land Bank ownership creates a narrow window of public access for paddlers willing to carry their boats to the launch.
There are no facilities. A permit from the Town of Chilmark is required for any access between June 1 and September 30.
Access: Canoe or kayak only from the Land Bank's canoe drop on Chilmark Pond shoreline. Town of Chilmark permit required June 1–September 30. Managed by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission.
Best for: Kayakers and canoeists; combines paddle with ocean beach access; peaceful and uncrowded.
Cape Pogue Bay and the barrier flats — anchor and wade
This one isn't a named beach on any official list, but experienced MV charter captains know it well. The shallow tidal flats inside Cape Pogue Bay, on the protected west side of the Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge spit, create a natural wading beach that only exists from a boat. You anchor in flat, warm water and wade out — the bottom is sandy, the water is calm, and the scene around you is completely wild: osprey overhead, the lighthouse a mile north, the Atlantic surf audible on the other side of the barrier spit.
This is the kind of location that charter captains include on custom itineraries when guests ask for a “private beach” experience. Island Girl Excursions and MV Leisure Charters specifically build this type of stop into their Chappaquiddick and Elizabeth Islands charters. You can't park here, walk to here, or ferry to here. You get here by boat, and you have it to yourself.
Lobsterville Beach by boat — the fishing and snorkeling shore
Lobsterville Beach on the Aquinnah shore of Vineyard Sound is technically walk-accessible (along Lobsterville Road), but there is no parking permitted on Lobsterville Road — meaning visitors arriving by car must park far away and walk a considerable distance in summer. Arriving by boat is simply the practical way to spend time here.
This two-mile stretch of Vineyard Sound beach is public, calm (Sound-facing, not Atlantic), and excellent for snorkeling, birdwatching, and fishing. It's known specifically as a fly fishing destination for striped bass — the calmer Sound water and the interface between dirty and clear water creates ideal conditions for sight-casting and wading. It's also designated as a seagull nesting area, which means sections are periodically restricted during breeding season.
From Menemsha Harbor, Lobsterville Beach is a short boat ride northeast along the Sound shore. Several charter operators include Lobsterville and the North Shore in their Aquinnah adventure routes.
What to bring on a boat-access beach day
The beaches on this list share one practical reality: none of them have amenities. No concession stands, no restrooms, no lifeguards, no fresh water. This is precisely what makes them exceptional, and it requires preparation.
Bring at least two liters of water per person — more if you're paddling or hiking. Pack a complete lunch or snack spread (an island-sourced charcuterie board from MV Leisure Charters' optional add-on, or your own provisions). Reef-safe sunscreen and a sun hat are non-negotiable on the water, where reflection intensifies UV exposure. Bring a dry bag for phones, wallets, and anything that can't get wet during the charter boarding and landing process. Wear water shoes or sandals with secure straps — landing on a beach from a dinghy or docking bow-first often involves stepping into water.
For Cuttyhunk, bring cash for the raw bar and the general store — card readers are unreliable at the far end of Buzzards Bay. Bring snorkeling gear if the operator doesn't provide it (Island Girl Excursions has masks and snorkels for rent at $5/person). Bring a book, because once you're anchored off a barrier beach with no cell service and no agenda, you're going to want one.
Most importantly, bring the mindset that the boat ride is part of the beach day, not separate from it. Watching Nashawena's cliffs slide past from the deck of a powerboat, spotting seals off Penikese, anchoring in the clear water at Cape Pogue Bay while the mainland disappears behind you — this is the part of Martha's Vineyard that most visitors never see, and it begins the moment you step aboard. If you're visiting on a day trip from Boston or Cape Cod, a boat-access beach should be your priority afternoon activity.
Book your boat-access beach day
The beaches on this guide share a single access requirement: a boat. Whether that's a kayak you bring yourself, a charter vessel with a captain, or a private powerboat, the water is the key.
Martha's Vineyard has more than 25 verified charter operators running beach day trips, Elizabeth Islands excursions, Cuttyhunk crossings, and custom anchor-and-swim adventures. Some, like Island Girl Excursions and MV Leisure Charters, specialize specifically in the kind of slow, exploratory beach day described in this guide. Others, like Plan Sea Adventure Charters, run dedicated Cuttyhunk adventures as a core part of their schedule. Whether you prefer a private charter or a group cruise, there's an option that fits — and on a calm evening, many of these beaches make an unforgettable stop on a sunset cruise.
The best time to book is before you arrive — peak season charters fill weeks ahead. Shoulder season (May, June, September, October) offers more flexibility, often lower prices, and in many ways better conditions: calmer seas, fewer boats in the anchorages, and the kind of quiet that makes a remote beach feel genuinely remote.
Browse the full fleet of Martha's Vineyard charter operators and book your beach day at mvboats.com.