Bringing your boat to Martha's Vineyard

Edgartown | Oak Bluffs | Vineyard Haven | Menemsha | MVOL Guides

Martha's Vineyard Dockage
Bringing your boat to Martha's Vineyard is the way to travel but even though this is an island, securing dockage or moorings can be difficult during peak season, (July 4th to the 3rd week in August). Calling ahead and proper planning can save you several headaches during this time. Alternatively, visiting outside peak season dates can be easier as fewer boaters come. June and September are my favorite island months as the weather is great, winds are strong and there's less traffic. Here's important information to know for each harbor town on Martha's Vineyard.

 

Edgartown
Edgartown harbor is the busiest pleasure boat harbor on Martha's Vineyard. Its spaciousness, available services, and closeness to island attractions attest to this popularity but research and good planning are essential to making your stay in Edgartown enjoyable.

Moorings & Dockage

• Harbormaster - 1 Morse Street (508) 627.4746. edgartownharbor.com
• Edgartown Marine - located inside the harbor on your right before the ferry crossing. (508) 627.4388. Provides boat supplies, ice, tackle shop and fuel. The Harbor Master, Edgartown Marine and Packard diesel all share the same spot.
• Mad Max Marina 508 627.7400 - small amount of prime dockage available.
• Herring Creek Marine (508) 627.7752 - seasonal location on the water and larger buildings offsite.

Boat Supplies & Repairs

• Martha's Vineyard Shipyard has a summer location on Dock Street offering the basics. They can also send out a boat/mechanic or get you what you need within the day or next day. (508) 627.6000.

Food for Boat

• Stop & Shop - located on 222 Upper Main Street, about a 10 minute walk from the harbor. Public transit is available. 800 626.1991
• Soigné 190 Upper Main St. (508) 627.8489 Gourmet food shop, with wines, cheeses, pre-made goodies
• For detailed restaurant information, visit the MVOL.com Dining Guide.

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Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs harbor is smaller than its Edgartown rival, but unique and very popular. Power boaters enjoy Oak Bluff's numerous slips and their proximity to night life and dining. The harbor has moorings, however boaters book them quickly so plan ahead.

Moorings & Dockage

• Harbormaster (508) 693.4355 >more
• Dockside Marina & Marketplace (508) 693.3392 - provides dockage and fuel.

Boat Supplies & Repairs

• Don's Marine Service (508) 693.0172, need to call as the shop is away from the harbor
• Martha's Vineyard Shipyard see above

Food for Boat

• Our Market (508) 693.3000 - located on the Harbor, small store with liquor and open late
• Reliable Market (508) 693.1102 located at 36 Circuit Ave
• Jim's Package (508) 693.0236 - located adjacent to 'dockside' sells beer & liquor and convenience items
• For detailed restaurant information, visit the MVOL.com Dining Guide.

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Vineyard Haven
Vineyard Haven is the Island's main port of entry and a fairly busy port. The town, as well as private companies, offer moorings for visitor's enjoyment. Again, plan ahead and use MVOL as your source for dockage information.

Moorings & Dockage

• Harbormaster 19 Own Park Way - (508) 696.4249 >more
• Owen Park is the Town of Tisbury (Vineyard Haven) Town Dock. There is also a public restroom and park with swings. You may dock your boat at the town dock by the hour. Many town moorings are located in the outer harbor, which you will need to row a distance or call for a launch.
• Coastwise Packet Dock, run by the Douglas's (owners of the Black Dog). The launch brings you to the dock where the restaurant is located on the harbor. (508) 693.3854. Coastwise is located just left of the Steamship Dock, which is dead center.
• Vineyard Haven Marina is located at 52 Beach Road - in back of West Marine Express at (508) 693.9720. This is the best private marina and can accommodate large private yachts.
• Tisbury Wharf Company is at 144 Beach Road, and immediately on your left upon entering the harbor. (508) 693.0720. Fuel and ice are available. Tisbury Wharf can accommodate boats up to 200 feet.

Boat Supplies & Repairs

• West Marine Express 52 Beach Road, in front of Vineyard Haven Marina (508) 693.2906 If they don't have what you need in stock they will have is brought over from the larger Falmouth store ASAP.
• Gannon & Benjamin Boatyard 30A Beach Road, 508 693.4658. They design and build new wooden boats, in addition to repairing just about anything.
• Martha's Vineyard Shipyard 164 Beach Rd. 508 693.0400 Boat supplies, mechanics, hauling services and storage provided, read full service shipyard.

Food for Boat

• Stop & Shop - 5 Water Street, which is located a ½ block from the harbor. 800 626.1991.
• Vineyard Gourmet food shop on Main Street Vineyard Haven
• For detailed restaurant information, visit the MVOL.com Dining Guide.

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Menemsha
Boaters really enjoy the compact nature of Menemsha Harbor. This is the quintessential New England harbor, complete with fine eateries and seafood markets. Also, dockage in Menemsha offers the advantage of ocean sunsets, a rarity for us on the east cost.

Moorings & Dockage

• Harbormaster (508) 645-2846. >more
• Menemsha is a small harbor, so call in advance. The tides run very strong into the harbor and along the beach approaching the entrance from the North.

Boat Supplies & Repairs

• Menemsha Marine Repair (508) 645.2883 Lynn Murphy specializes in diesel engines, but can help direct you to where/what you need.
• The Martha's Vineyard Shipyard can send a boat or truck up from Vineyard Haven harbor (see above).
• Menemsha Texaco (508) 645.2641 fill up your boat and get snacks inside

Food for Boat

• Menemsha Market & Post Office (508) 645-3501, is next to the Galley on North Road. This is a small store, with fresh produce and gifts.
• For detailed restaurant information, visit the MVOL.com Dining Guide.

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MVOL.com Guides
MVOL aims at making your visit to Martha's Vineyard one that is enjoyable and memorable. Below is a list of guides, maps, and additional information within our site to help you better plan your visit.

• Virtual Tours of Martha's Vineyard here
• For maps of Martha's Vineyard click here
• Information about Island towns is found here
• Martha's Vineyard Beach Guide here
• Boating Directory

Contributed by Louisa Gould
Visit her online photography gallery here

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