Charter boats on Martha’s Vineyard, by type
The four kinds of boat you can charter here, what each costs where the operators publish it, and what each is good for. All of them come with a captain; we do not list self-drive boat rentals.
We don’t own any of these. Rates are what operators were charging when we last checked and they move with the season.
Good to know: most charter boats carry a maximum of 6 guests
It's a federal U.S. Coast Guard rule, not the operator's choice: uninspected charter vessels are limited to 6 paying passengers regardless of boat size. Boats the Coast Guard inspects can carry more, and they are marked on the operator list. A group of ten usually goes out as two boats leaving together. Tell us how many of you there are and we will say which operators run a second boat.
Types of vessel you can charter
Motor Yacht
The default for a sunset trip or a birthday. Shade over most of the deck, somewhere to sit out of the wind, and a captain who knows where the light will be at seven.
Sailing Yacht
Mostly owner-captains out of Vineyard Haven and Edgartown, on their own boats. Slower, quieter, and you can take the helm if you ask. Most of them would rather you did.
Fishing Boat
Open boats built to fish from, not to lounge on. Rods, tackle and bait usually come with the trip, and many will clean what you keep.
Pontoon & Cruiser
Flat, stable, and easy to get onto, which matters more than it sounds if somebody in the group is unsteady or very small. Most have a ladder off the back for swimming. Slow boats: this is a harbor and a shoreline, not a crossing.
Have a group of 7 or more?
No charter boat on the island may take more than 6 paying guests unless it holds a USCG Certificate of Inspection, and only a few on Martha's Vineyard do, such as the MV Skipper fishing party boat (up to 40) and On The Boat Charters (12, its site says). Otherwise the usual answer is 2–3 boats that leave and cruise together.
A bachelorette of 10 becomes two boats of 5. A corporate outing of 15 becomes three boats, or one inspected boat if its kind of trip suits you. Everyone takes the same route and sees the same sunset.
Groups of seven or more → Ask us →What to ask any operator
We have not inspected these boats or read anyone’s insurance. These are the questions to ask, not things we have checked for you.
Found the kind of boat you want?
Call an operator from the list, or tell us the date and how many of you there are and we’ll say who to call.