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    Moshup Beach

    4.7 (17 reviews)

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    Beach to Ourselves
    Desiree G.

    On the far side of the island this beach is off the beaten path, but it is definitely worth the drive from Edgartown, Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. It is way less crowded than the nearby popular South Beach and State Beach. There is a parking lot close by that charges $20 for the day. The lot is also walking distance to the cliffs and the light house should you want to explore more. Be warned that this beach is right next to a nude beach. So be mindful if you have kids or are not comfortable with nudity.

    Brian S.

    Gay cliffs and Nomans land Moshup Beach is an isolated beach way out on the west end of Martha's Vineyard. It is definitely an incredibly stunning place with soft, white sand that seems to go on forever. The beach doesn't get a whole lot of people in the summer because it is somewhat difficult to reach which is just as well because the parking is very limited. However it's a great location it you happen to be biking or walking in the area. In the off season you will probably have the beach all to yourself and it's a wonderful beach for a winter stroll. This part of the island tends to be always windy which makes for some serious chop and rips in the area plus the water is always pretty nippy. Not the best place to for a swim unless you are use to these conditions. However swimming isn't really necessary because the views are absolutely spectacular. The Gay Head Lighthouse is visible in places as well as the great cliffs and buffs. The name of this place tends to get a few chuckles but the name gay actually comes from the "gaily colored" sand, clay and cliffs. Off to the south you can see the mysterious and enigmatic Noman's Land. This is a 600 acre island that lies only three miles away from the beach but is off limits to everybody. It was used as a bombing range by the armed forces from 1943 to 1966 and still contains tons of unexploded ordinance. Not a good place for a walk but it does make a great spot to nest for large amounts of birds. Moshup Beach is one of the most lovely, lonely and haunting beautiful beaches anywhere. Incredible views, wild water and a mysterious island A place that once seen will be remembered forever.

    The beach
    George H.

    We discovered this place quite by accident. The Aquinnah cliffs were on the top of the Trip Advisor things to do in Martha's vineyard list. So we went to the Gay Lighthouse. From the viewpoint above, we saw that there was a nice secluded beach that seemed cozy and welcoming and rather deserted, so that's how we ended up on this beach. Having not done much research or read about the beach, you can imagine our utter surprise when we found ourselves in a colony of nudists while trying to get to the base of the cliffs. After recovering from our initial shock, we loved this beach. Not only is quite deserted as I understand nudity is not everyone's cup of tea, which worked in our favour. The beach was free of garbage, plastic, and of people! Just the sea, the sand, the sun and you! We loved everything about it and it was great to be able to walk so comfortably on the beach. Just make sure you carry a bottle of water as there really is not much for amenities there. Like I said, a perfect, beautiful beach!

    View from our walk on beach
    Cassandra M.

    Beautiful beach. Clear water, some waves, shells, soft sand. A little rocky at the top of the beach, but once you get past that it's such a great beach. Not a lot of people know about this beach so it is not too crowded. The cliffs are simply beautiful. We took a walk down the beach into the nude part of the beach, which was even more beautiful. The clay cliffs and soft, white, sand are unlike any of the other beaches on the island. A lot of seaweed in some parts though... I recommend spending the day at the beach then walking up to the shops in Aquninnah and getting a soft serve ice cream. Then go check out the Gay Head Light House before it gets moved! A great way to spend the day!

    Lynn C.

    A very pretty and clean beach in MV. Less populated crowded than some of the other down island beaches popular with tourists, it's well worth the 15 min walk from parking lot.

    Melissa H.

    This beach is absolutely beautiful. The views of cliffs from the beach is something you have to see. You have to also have walk along the beach where you will find all kinds of rocks stacked up like a form of artwork. Then finally you have to bring a blanket and towel to enjoy the water of course.

    Judy T.

    It's an amazing beach to watch the subset on, and very secluded since it's hard to get to so you don't have to deal with the crowds like on Menemsha beach. I highly recommend coming here, worth the 40 min drive just to get a beautiful picture of the sun setting against the cliffs. Breathtaking!

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Rocky but beautiful. Not as kid friendly because of the rocks but still nice! The view is gorgeous

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    Ask the Community - Moshup Beach

    Review Highlights - Moshup Beach

    The clay cliffs and soft, white, sand are unlike any of the other beaches on the island.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Lobsterville Beach - Photos by Anna K

    Lobsterville Beach

    4.7(3 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Wild and windy…read more How can you not love a place called Lobsterville? Lobsterville Beach is one of my favorite beaches on Martha's Vineyard. It's way out in Aquinnah in a quaint and quiet place actually named Lobsterville. Even in the summer it's not crowded and in the off season you seldom will see another soul. One of the reasons this beach is frequently so quiet is because there is very little parking that is restricted for residents only. However the beach is open to anyone and it's a great place to stop when biking out to Aquinnah and the great lighthouse at the tip. In fact going down Lobsterville Road and then up Lighthouse Road is a nice way to avoiding the busy South Road when biking to the lighthouse. The beach is and water are shallow and protected by land so it's warmer than many of the other beaches but realistically speaking the water is still cold as hell. The beach sometimes has lots of rocks that seem to come and go but sandy areas can usually be found. Great fishing and wind surfing out here during the summer and great views are in every direction. During the colder months the wind frequently howls through this area, agitating the water into angry whitecaps and giving the impression of a wild and pristine place. Not the most gentle, kid friendly or most convenient beach, but definitely one of the most beautiful and ethereal.

    Really nice beach. No waves. Great for kids. Quiet and out of the way. The beaches on this island…read moreare all just fine but also a little different from each other. There are places to park, (especially if you have a permit). It's not too crowded. The beach has smallish waves if any at all and it slopes out very gently so this would be great for younger children to splash around. As with all beaches on the island, it is very clean. It looks like dogs are allowed as there were several on the beach when we were there.

    Photos
    Lobsterville Beach - Lots of rocks today

    Lots of rocks today

    Lobsterville Beach - Photos by Anna K,

    Photos by Anna K,

    Lobsterville Beach

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    Duck Inn - Deck room East Q

    Duck Inn

    5.0(8 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    This reminds me of going to my grandmas 100+ year old farmhouse if it were on an island. Up island,…read moreAquinnah (formerly Gay Head area) is nice and quiet in comparison to the rest of the island and Oak Bluffs where the ferry drops off. Elise is just a wonderful person and made the trip special. She makes a breakfast out of this world and the inn has some great animal life. A few bobcats and she has nursed some wildlife back to health. Walk to the rural more private beach is less than ten minutes. We will most certainly be back!

    This is my sanctuary from the world; quiet, serene, listening to the crickets & ocean waves at…read morenight. The breakfasts! OMG carry me though to dinner. Aquinnah is far from the other towns (30 min drive) so plan accordingly. The liquor stores do deliver with enough advance notice, and there are a few restaurants not so far away, but you are out in the country. Love sitting in the hot tub at night watching the stars. This is an old house so you might hear noise from other rooms or when breakfast gets going, but I travel with earplugs & a mask so not a thing for me. Elise is welcoming & has tips for everything you can think of. Free wifi, amazing water & sunset views (except from the downstairs stone-wall room) and blissful calm. There is no AC but mostly it's not needed, and mini fridges in many rooms, bring a small cooler for a day at the beach, a beach towel, good walking shoes, and de-com-press.

    Photos
    Duck Inn - Secluded beach within less than ten minutes walking distance.

    Secluded beach within less than ten minutes walking distance.

    Duck Inn - Lighthouse room A

    Lighthouse room A

    Duck Inn - Lighthouse room A bathroom

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    Lighthouse room A bathroom

    Moshup Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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