Important information regarding flights and ferries to Martha's Vineyard and other island essentials

Martha's Vineyard is an island, not a town. It can only be accessed by boat or plane. The island is comprised of six towns- Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. Here is some crucial information that may help you during your visit...

The term "up-island" refers to the towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. "Down-island" refers to Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven.

Locals will cringe if they hear you call Oak Bluffs by the name Oaks Bluff. Pluralize the Bluff, not the Oak, or just say the letters OB to be safe.

Also, Gay Head and Aquinnah are interchangeable, although the preferred name is Aquinnah. It is pronounced uh-quin-uh, not uh-kwine-uh.

Menemsha is part of the town of Chilmark.

Chappaquiddick, or "Chappy" as it is often called, is no longer connected to the rest of the Vineyard. You must take the ferry from Edgartown Harbor to get your vehicle across.

If you want to get an idea about where to go once on the island, visit our custom MV Tour page.

Here is a list of the major passenger ferries to Martha's Vineyard. The Steamship Authority is the exclusive provider of vehicle traffic to and from the island.

Vineyard Fast Ferry	- From Quonset Point, RI to Oak Bluffs
The Steamship Authority	- From Woods Hole, MA to Vineyard Haven - From Woods Hole, MA to Oak Bluffs
New England Fast Ferry	- From New Bedford, MA to Vineyard Haven - From New Bedford, MA to Oak Bluffs
Island Queen	- From Falmouth, MA to Oak Bluffs
Hy-Line Cruise	-Hyannis, MA to Oak Bluffs