More About Chilmark
Chilmark, along with West Tisbury and Aquinnah, is often referred to as "up-island." This town is known for its rolling meadows, stone walls, and one of the Island's finest beaches, Lucy Vincent Beach.
Visitors are enchanted by the rustic charm of Menemsha, the classic New England fishing village on the east coast of Menemsha Pond and adjacent to the opening to Vineyard Sound. It was here that location footage for the film "Jaws" was shot.
Menemsha Harbor is the departure point for local fishermen. The catch of the day is unloaded from fishing boats and can be bought from markets along Dutcher's Dock. Vacationers too depart from here for charter fishing and cruises, and cyclists take the ferry across Menemsha Pond to Aquinnah. The public beach is next to the harbor and provides some of the best sunsets on the Island.
Menemsha Hills Reservation comprises over 200 acres of hiking trails, with a panoramic view of the Elizabeth Islands in Vineyard Sound.
Ferry service to Martha's Vineyard:
Steamship Authority
Service from Woods Hole, Hyannis, Nantucket and New Bedford daily year-round. Steamship Authority boats dock in the town of Vineyard Haven in the winter, and both Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs in the summer. This is the only line that accommodates cars and trucks.
Island Queen Seasonal daily walk-on passenger-only service from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs.
Hy-Line Cruises Year-round high-speed service from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs in 50 minutes. Traditional service from Hyannis and Nantucket to Oak Bluffs seasonally. Passengers only.
Seastreak / MV Express Ferry Year round daily passenger-only express service from New Bedford to Martha's Vineyard. One hour trip to Oak Bluffs in summer / Vineyard Haven in winter. New York and New Jersey transportation added in the summer. Reservations recommended.
Vineyard Fast Ferry (Rhode Island) Seasonal fast service from Quonset Point, Rhode Island, to Oak Bluffs aboard a 400 passenger high-speed catamaran. Ferry is 15 min. away from the Providence (PVD) Airport or 20 min. from Amtrak (KIN). Offers first-class amenities, advance reservations & dockside parking. May-Oct. with 2 to 3 round-trips daily.