May 4, 2023
Took a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard to see Gay Head Cliffs. Since I’d recently spent a fair amount of time on Nantucket, and I plan on going back there, I figured I’d have to make do with just a day on MV. Too expensive for me to spend significant time on both islands within the same year. Not with everything else I’ve been doing and plan to do.
I used the Seastreak ferry out of New Bedford to Vineyard Haven, then took an $80 one-way taxi out to the far northwestern bit of Aquinnah to see the cliffs. Note there is an excellent and dependable bus system, so if I had been more confident with my time, I could have saved a ton and just used an all-day bus pass ($8). I wanted to get out there straight away though in case the buses ran slow (they didn’t) and I had trouble getting back for my return ferry (I didn’t).
The clay cliffs feature many geological layers sporting evidence of different ancient riverbeds and holding various types of fossils. The lighthouse was built in the late 1700s and has been moved away from the eroding cliff a few times, the latest being in 2015.
I took a couple buses back to Vineyard Haven, striking up conversations with the drivers and the few other people who shared my ride. One of them suggested a great place for lunch, The Copper Pot, which I too recommend. Affordable prices and excellent food.
Wandered about Vineyard Haven and also walked over to Oak Bluffs and back. Between that, the cliffs, and the scenery from the buses, I felt I got a decent enough taste of Martha’s Vineyard. It felt like a bigger and more diverse version of Nantucket with elements of Cape Cod thrown in. For me personally, I prefer Nantucket. The smaller size and larger dedication to nature is more up my alley. Off-season, of course. I don’t think you could pay me to visit either island during July or August. The taxi driver joked he wished he could run away during those months since Martha’s Vineyard becomes far too crowded with pretentious and demanding tourists.
My visit was pleasant though. Not too many people, no traffic, and I saw what I came to see without negative incident.