Is Martha's Vineyard An Island? What Most People Get Wrong

You'd be surprised how many people think Martha’s Vineyard is a literal vineyard owned by Martha Stewart. Or maybe a gated community in the Hamptons. Honestly, it’s neither. It is a massive, chunky piece of land sitting out in the Atlantic.

Is Martha's Vineyard an island? Yes. Absolutely.

It’s about seven miles off the coast of Massachusetts. No bridges. No tunnels. If you want to get there, you’re either getting on a boat or a very small plane. There is something fundamentally different about a place you can't just drive to. The air feels saltier. The pace of life just... drops.

The Geography of a "Separate Land"

Technically, it's the third-largest island on the East Coast of the United States. It covers roughly 96 square miles. To the Wampanoag people, the original inhabitants, the island was known as Noepe. That translates to "land amid the waters."

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They weren't kidding.

The island was formed about 20,000 years ago. Huge glaciers—the Laurentide ice sheet—pushed south from Canada. As they melted, they dumped piles of rocks, sand, and clay. Geologists call these "terminal moraines." Basically, the island is a giant pile of glacial debris that stayed put when the ice retreated.

Why people get confused

Some folks look at a map and see how close it is to Cape Cod. They assume there's a secret bridge. There isn't. The "Vineyard Sound" and the "Nantucket Sound" create a fierce barrier of moving water.

Then there’s Chappaquiddick.

Chappaquiddick is technically a smaller island on the edge of Martha’s Vineyard. But here is the weird part: sometimes it's an island, and sometimes it's a peninsula. Nature can't decide. A narrow sandbar called Norton Point usually connects the two. But a big storm or a hurricane will come through and "breach" the sandbar. When that happens, Chappaquiddick becomes its own separate island for a few years until the sand builds back up.

Right now? As of early 2026, the connection has been fluctuating, but historically, the "On Time" ferry is the only reliable way to cross that tiny gap.

Getting There: The Logistics of Island Life

Since you can't drive there, the Steamship Authority is the lifeline. It’s the only ferry that carries cars. It runs from Woods Hole on Cape Cod over to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs.

• The Woods Hole Route: This is the year-round workhorse. 45 minutes of wind in your face and expensive coffee.
• The Seasonal Boats: In the summer, you can catch fast ferries from New Bedford, Hyannis, or even New York City.
• The Air Option: Cape Air flies those tiny 9-seater Cessnas into MVY airport. It’s terrifying for some, but the view of the coastline is unbeatable.

Living on an island sounds romantic. It is. But it’s also expensive. Everything—literally every gallon of milk and every 2x4 for a house—has to come over on a boat. That "island premium" adds about 60% to the cost of living compared to the mainland.

Six Towns, One Island

Martha’s Vineyard isn't just one big resort. It's six distinct towns. Each has a totally different vibe.

1. Edgartown: The "fancy" one. White whaling captain houses and high-end boutiques.
2. Oak Bluffs: Known for the "Gingerbread Cottages." It’s colorful, loud, and has the oldest operating platform carousel in the U.S. (The Flying Horses).
3. Vineyard Haven: The main port. It’s a "dry" town (mostly), meaning you won't find many liquor stores, but the bookstores are world-class.
4. West Tisbury: Rural. This is where the farms are. It feels like Vermont but with a beach.
5. Chilmark: Rolling hills and stone walls. Very private. Very expensive.
6. Aquinnah: The western tip. Famous for the red clay cliffs and the Wampanoag tribal lands.

Is it worth the trip?

If you're looking for neon lights and water parks, don't come here.

Martha's Vineyard is for people who like long walks on "Up-Island" beaches and eating lobster rolls on a dock. It’s for people who don't mind waiting an hour for a ferry because the fog rolled in.

The misconception that it’s just a playground for presidents and celebrities (though they do come here) ignores the 20,000 year-round residents. These are fishermen, artists, and teachers who deal with the "Gerry" (the ferry) every single day.

Actionable Insights for Your Visit

• Book the Ferry Early: If you want to bring your car in July, you need to book your Steamship Authority reservation in January. No joke.
• Leave the Car: Honestly? You don't need it. The VTA (Vineyard Transit Authority) bus system is incredible and cheap.
• Go Off-Season: May and September are the sweet spots. The water is still (sorta) warm, the crowds are gone, and the prices drop.
• Respect the Cliffs: In Aquinnah, do not touch the clay. It’s tempting, but it’s illegal and causes massive erosion.

Martha’s Vineyard is very much an island. It’s a place defined by its isolation. That seven-mile gap of water is exactly what keeps it special.

Check the ferry schedules on the official Steamship Authority website before you head to Woods Hole. Parking fills up fast, so if you're a walk-on passenger, give yourself an extra 45 minutes to catch the shuttle from the satellite lots.