Harbor
Fuller Street Beach
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Hidden gem
(9)
FamiliesSwimmingtown access
Calm waterUncrowded
1 / 5
Heads up
- Ferry channel adjacent — stay on the beach side of the jetty.
HarborFree & OpenBest in August
Oak Bluffs Town Beach
Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound
4.5(38 reviews)
Walk-up swim minutes from the Oak Bluffs ferry
Right in the heart of Oak Bluffs near the ferry terminal and downtown. Calm harbor water and total convenience — grab lunch, take a swim, browse the shops. Not scenic, but incredibly accessible.
Oak Bluffs Town Beach (sometimes called Pay Beach or North Bluff Beach) is the convenience beach of Martha's Vineyard — a small, calm crescent of sand right at the harbor entrance, a two-minute walk from the Steamship Authority ferry terminal and the cluster of restaurants and shops on Circuit Avenue. The water is gentle and warm by mid-July, lifeguards are on duty in season, and there are public restrooms steps away at Ocean Park. The view is more harbor-and-ferry than wild-and-scenic, but the accessibility is unmatched: if you're a day-tripper off the boat with two hours to swim before catching the ferry home, this is the beach. Note that for a more atmospheric Oak Bluffs swim, Inkwell Beach is just a few hundred yards south along the seawall.
Photo spot
The gingerbread cottages of the Camp Ground above the beach
Arrive
Morning before ferry crowdsCrowds
ModerateDogs
SeasonalLifeguards
On dutyBest for
FamiliesSwimming
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- North-facing
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- Fine tan sand
- Shade
- none
Wildlife
Birds you may see: herring gull, great cormorant, common tern
Things to know
- Jellyfish more likely July–August.
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
- Lot size
- Medium
- Enforcement
- Metered town lots; fills fast in summer.
Town parking, walkable from ferry
Getting there
- Ferry
- 45 min from Woods Hole (Falmouth) · Steamship Authority
- Cell signal
- good
- Off-site restroom
- Ocean Park
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Not available
- Mobi Mat
- No
- Path from parking
- level
Dogs
No dogs in summer; allowed off-season.
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
UmbrellasTents / canopies · small onlyAlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Unofficial SUP/kayak launch
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· Late June through Labor Day
Photo by Ross Lewis via Google Places
Today
Water67°F
Sunrise5:09 AM
Sunset8:19 PM
Conditions
WavesCalm water
Water68-74°F (July–Aug)
TidesLow variance
SharksLow risk
Jellyfishlow
Facilities
LifeguardsRestrooms
Late June through Labor Day
Nancy's Restaurant, Giordano's, Slice of Life, plus Circuit Ave restaurants
Oak Bluffs Town Beach — good to know
How much does parking cost at Oak Bluffs Town Beach?
Parking at Oak Bluffs Town Beach is free and open to the public, but lots fill early on summer weekends — arrive before about 10am for the best chance of a spot.
Are dogs allowed at Oak Bluffs Town Beach?
Dogs are not permitted at Oak Bluffs Town Beach during the summer season — No dogs in summer; allowed off-season.
Does Oak Bluffs Town Beach have lifeguards?
Yes — Oak Bluffs Town Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (Late June through Labor Day).
Are there restrooms at Oak Bluffs Town Beach?
Oak Bluffs Town Beach has public restrooms available in season.
What is the water like at Oak Bluffs Town Beach?
Oak Bluffs Town Beach is a sheltered harbor beach on Nantucket Sound. Expect calm, gentle water that's good for young kids and easy swimming. Average summer water temperature is around 68-74°F (July–Aug).
What is Oak Bluffs Town Beach best for?
Oak Bluffs Town Beach is especially good for families and swimming.
When is the best time to visit Oak Bluffs Town Beach?
Morning before ferry crowds.
