5 Beautiful Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

Martha’s Vineyard is one of the premier vacation spots in New England. Thousands of people from all over the world visit Martha’s Vineyard and enjoy its beautiful views and delicious food. One of the best things to do is visit the lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard. There are five beautiful lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard, although only four are open to the public.

And the best part? You can visit Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses year-round! Although you can only go inside the lighthouses seasonally, you can enjoy each from the outside in every season. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses!

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Tips for Visiting Lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard

Only park in designated areas. Many of the lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard do not have large parking lots and are in residential neighborhoods, so please make sure to only park in appropriate areas and respect those who live there.
Buy your ferry tickets in advance. The largest and best ferry to Martha’s Vineyard is Steamship Authority. These ferries leave from Woods Hole near Falmouth and are about 45 minutes long. I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot because the ferries fill up quickly, especially in the summer.
Bring your car. Although Martha’s Vineyard has a year-round public transportation system, I highly recommend bringing your car on the ferry with you. It is much easier to drive yourself around the island and be on your schedule.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

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Best Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

Gay Head Light

Gay Head Light was the first lighthouse built on Martha’s Vineyard in 1799. The boating traffic increased around this time on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and Gay Head Light was built to help. Today, thousands of people each year visit Gay Head Light and have the opportunity to explore the inside during the summer season.

Gay Head Light is one of the most popular Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses because of its iconic neighbor, Aquinnah Cliffs. Aquinnah Cliffs are one of the most photographed areas on the island because they have a rainbow of clay, making them multi-colored and stand out against the turquoise ocean water. And Gay Head Light sits on the cliffs, and it is stunning!

Edgartown Harbor Light

The original Edgartown Harbor Light was built in 1828 and was a two-story building that the keeper had to row to every day. In 1830, a wooden bridge was built connecting the Edgartown Harbor Light to the shore. Unfortunately, the lighthouse's conditions worsened over time, and it had to be demolished. In 1939, the lighthouse you see today was moved from Crane Beach in Ipswitch to Edgartown. Over the years, the water filled in with sand and created a beach surrounding the Edgartown Harbor Light.

Edgartown Harbor Light and its surrounding beach are stunning! It is a great place to visit year-round and walk the beach. Although you can see the lighthouse from the parking area, I highly recommend taking a short walk to the base of it. During the summer, you can explore the inside of the lighthouse!

Edgartown Harbor Light on martha’s vineyard

West Chop Lighthouse

NOTE: This lighthouse is not open to the public.

Two peninsulas, West Chop and East Chop, surround Vineyard Haven and have two beautiful lighthouses. West Chop Lighthouse was built in 1817 and consisted of a lighthouse and a dwelling building. Because of erosion, a new lighthouse was built in 1846 near the original building. As Martha’s Vineyard became a popular vacation spot, more houses were built, and the lighthouse was blocked. In 1891, a taller lighthouse was built and is the one you see today on Martha’s Vineyard.

Although West Chop Lighthouse is not open to the public, you can see it as you approach Martha’s Vineyard by ferry.

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East Chop Lighthouse

East Chop Lighthouse is on the eastern peninsula near Vineyard Haven. Many residents fought for a lighthouse to be built in the early 1800s but were unsuccessful in convincing the authorities. In 1869, a local mariner built his own lighthouse, but it only stood for a few years before being destroyed by a fire. In 1878, the new lighthouse was built and stood tall for over 140 years before needing repairs.

Today, the East Chop Lighthouse stands in a residential neighborhood in a small park. The parking area is tiny, so I recommend visiting the lighthouse early in the morning to secure a parking spot. You will love exploring this beautiful Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse overlooking the ocean!

east chop lighthouse on martha’s vineyard

Cape Poge Lighthouse

Cape Poge Lighthouse sits in the 500-acre Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. The original lighthouse was built in 1802 to help guide boaters into the Edgartown Harbor but was rebuilt multiple times over the years. It has also been moved several times because of erosion along the shoreline. The lighthouse you see today was built in 1893 and was only supposed to be a temporary structure.

Cape Poge Lighthouse is one of the most difficult to visit because it requires a 3.5-mile one-way hike. Although it is a long walk, it is a beautiful one! The trail wanders along the shoreline in the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, where you can see wildlife and enjoy ocean views!

If you want to visit the lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to visit the Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses.