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    Oak Bluffs, MA

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    The Inkwell

    4.6 (14 reviews)

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    The Inkwell on a quiet fall morning -  tranquil, beautiful, and peaceful,
    Iris R.

    I absolutely love this beach, there's something special about those quiet mornings when the wind whips across your face and that ice-cold water jolts you awake, sending a shock through your whole body. Although it's been a few years since my last visit, The Inkwell remains close to my heart, a place that calls to me with deep sentiment and powerful history. What drew me to The Inkwell wasn't just its beauty. It was the feeling of stepping into a space where African Americans have gathered for generations--a sanctuary where families and friends could unwind freely and simply belong. The Inkwell got its name because it was the only beach area where African Americans were allowed during segregation. Today, that name carries deep emotional and historical meaning for our community. The Inkwell isn't a massive beach, but it's just large enough to be whatever you need it to be--whether it's lounging in a beach chair with a good book or hosting a beach party with friends. It's a place where families who bought homes generations ago return year after year. Many still spend their summers here, and some live here year-round. It's always been a space to feel at ease, to be yourself, and to be surrounded by a true sense of community. This place taught me what it really means to relax and have fun. Just shorts and a T-shirt, no need to dress up. I came to appreciate how freeing it is to feel accepted without judgment based on appearance. Long walks on the beach and early morning yoga were the highlights of my day. Oh Yeah, if you enjoy exploring nature trails like me, bike riding is another low cost activity that you'd appreciate. Whenever we visited Martha's Vineyard, we'd always stay in Oak Bluffs for a full week, close enough to the water that it felt like the beach was part of our backyard. From there, we explored the island: the fishing village of Menemsha, the harbor town of Vineyard Haven, downtown area Circuit Ave., and of course, the nightlife. I loved it all, the ocean, the sand, the sun warming your skin, the rocks beneath your feet, the boat rides, the fresh seafood (oh my goodness, the lobster!). And the people-watching? Top-tier--especially if you're not local. You'll see such a mix of families, longtime locals and visitors from all over the place. A perfect blend of laid back and POSITIVE VIBES. The world may have changed, but places like The Inkwell still matter, for so many reasons. Pro Tips for Visiting:    *   Getting There: Drive into Woods Hole and take the ferry--it's part of the charm. If you're flying in, rent a car if you can. You'll thank me later. It makes seeing the island much easier and less exhausting.    *   Plan Early: Book your trip months in advance if possible. A week goes by fast! Whether you plan to Netflix and chill the entire time or do a little sightseeing, having flexibility makes all the difference.    *   Recs for Downtown: I'd recommend Nancy's Restaurant, The Oyster Bar, Martha's Vineyard Chowder Company, and Linda Jean's Restaurant. If you like Asian cuisine, Bangkok Cuisine is a fav. Don't miss the clothing and souvenir shops - you'll love browsing around.    *   Arts & Culture: Visit the Cousen Rose Gallery and the Martha's Vineyard Museum for a taste of island culture and history.    *   Must-See Sunset: Head to Menemsha for one of the most breathtaking sunsets you'll ever see. While you're there, stop by Menemsha Fish Market for some of the freshest lobster and seafood around. So to all my fellow beach lovers: go and enjoy yourself, no matter your background. The Inkwell is a place to make memories that last a lifetime. It's warm, welcoming, and filled with soul. I promise--if you love the water, sand, and sunshine, The Inkwell will love you right back in the most unforgettable way. Muah!

    Seaview avenue
    Dwayne A.

    The Inkwell is a section of beach in Oak Bluffs,Martha's Vineyard where back in the late 50's -early seventies middle class and wealthy African Americans were only allowed on this portion of beach. All the other beaches on the vineyard were whites only. So this was a must see place for me to see while here. It was interesting as we entered the town of Oak Bluffs yesterday and today there is a Oak Bluffs police officer sitting in his vehicle and as I drove by he kept looking at me,easy to see because speed limit is 25 mph, maybe he's trying to reach a quota. However they have some quirky homes in the Oak Bluffs section also it is home to the oldest carousel in America The Flying Horse, it's also where Malia Obama worked for a summer. There are a lot of black owned businesses so it was important to me and my wife to come and support some of these businesses

    Cozy and relaxing front porch.
    Jon P.

    Excellent hospitality and accommodations! Such a warming and great place to stay for the weekend. The hospitality and quality of rooms clearly stands out. The location cannot be beat with Inkwell Beach directly across the street with the house offering beach towels, morning yoga, breakfast, and a fun happy hour. Truly a well run and gem of Oak Bluffs. My family will be continuing to stay here for years to come.

    Lisa S.

    Minutes from the ferry and 5 minute walk to our air bnb. The waters are calm with sand barges that go out 40 feet. Be careful walking out there because of the drop off spots. The sand has it share of pebbles and shells as well. It was a beautiful day and excellent weather for sunbathing.

    Goodies for the beach house guests placed beautifully on the porch for us to enjoy. Baked cake, fruit infused water and ice cold Prosecco.
    Shay P.

    First time staying at this property the week of July 4th. I cannot wait to return. Brenna and Coleen are just a few staff members who made my stay exceptional. From the moment I walked up the front steps and sat in the porch swing with my daughter, I felt comfortable and calm. Our room was clean, quaint and comfortable. The hotel location cannot be beat if you plan on going to the beach often, it's directly across the street. I enjoyed the short walk from the ferry and back down sea view to the town shops and restaurants. The midday baked goods were an absolute hit for my daughter who loved the chocolate chip cookies. I could go on and on about the good things this property offered us, but I won't spoil it for you. Book a stay here and enjoy!

    Sunrise
    John E.

    Beautiful, calm and serene beach. Extremely clean, not rocky and plenty of wild and sea life. The water is typical of the north Atlantic and is pretty chilly if you're accustomed to gulf of Mexico or Caribbean seas. Many people swim in wetsuits in Aug and September. With that said, it's absolutely beautiful and laid back. Perfect trip if you like the chill Cape Cope scene.

    Inkwell
    Eunice I.

    Get here early if you want to get a nice spot because the beach will fill up quickly. Overall, I thought the beach was just OK. The sand and water were very rocky, much more than was comfortable and I felt like at any moment my feet would get cut up. Also, the water was pretty murky, making it difficult to see exactly what you were stepping on. There is lots of seaweed in the water as well. However, the surrounding views were beautiful.

    Sitting area

    Absolutely stunning!! Beachfront B&B that is flawless in every way. Rooms are large and bright, they provide beach towels, and there's always the most amazing cookies in the lobby to snack on. I wouldn't stay anywhere else on the island!!

    Britne B.

    Wonderful beach- definitely a lot of people but didn't feel overly crowded. Tons of African Americans on this beach. Hadn't seen this many black people since being in the Boston area. Hit the jackpot!!! The atmosphere was calm but exciting. A lot less kelp in the water than the beach we visited on the Cape earlier in the week. Close to a large park and what seems to be a busy downtown area near the piers and ferry drop off locations. Would definitely return! Looks like it may be the place to be for a girls or couples trip.

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    Ask the Community - The Inkwell

    Review Highlights - The Inkwell

    “Whenever we visited Martha's Vineyard, we'd always stay in Oak Bluffs for a full week, close enough to the water that it felt like the beach was part of our backyard.”

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    Martha's Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate

    Martha's Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate

    2.6(18 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    We rented a lovely homes from MV Vacation Rentals twice now,…read morethe latest last October. The home was as listed and beautiful, the agent went above and beyond to assist us. Great service two times now. I highly recommend this company.

    Don't rent with Mart Vineyard Rentals and Real Estate!! I rented what was supposed to be a luxury…read more5 bedroom home. It had several problems. The first night of a 7 night stay, my daughter broke out in hives after sleeping in one of the bedrooms. We disinfected the room, sanitized the sheets and after the second night, we had to take her to urgent care the next morning. Needless to say, that room was off limits. On the third day raw sewage backed up into the only bathroom on the ground floor. The toilet and shower was overflowing with untreated feces and urine. When the septic repair person came, he indicated that the tank was not properly maintained and had not been serviced in more than 3 years! When we arrived, on day one, we contacted Lisa Silvia, our rental agent, to tell her the refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser was not working. Lisa's response to us was "the ice maker and water dispenser were not guaranteed to be operational" (excuse me- for over $20k per week, we expected a fully functional refrigerator for our luxury rental). The cabinets were full of the homeowners glasses and dish ware. The panty was locked. We had no place to store our week's worth of groceries. Someone had to be sent over to clear two shelves for our grocery storage... we had to move the grocery from the countertop to the dinning room table and back before and after cooking each meal. The gas grill didn't have propane...we had to get it filled and replace it. Please keep in mind this was listed as a luxury rental. During the sewer backup, we had to cancel our plans for the day and stay at the home to wait for the repair people to come. We wasted another day for a cleaning staff to come to clean and sanitize the only downstairs bathroom. My 90 year old father had to navigate the stairs to use the bathroom for two days!! Electric circuits were not working in one room. Sliding doors and blinds were not functional on the main floor. The garbage had been piled up for weeks in the outside storage bins... we couldn't fit our garbage in on the first night!! And the front door never locked!! It was a disaster!! The rental office was non-responsive. We actually managed the property during our vacation. We told Lisa we expected a refund of some sort. It has been a month and a half and we have not received our deposit and we're told we would not receive a refund. We may have to take legal action. Do not use MV Vacation rentals & Real Estate!! They are the worst!! If I were able to give negative stars, I would.

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    Martha's Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate
    Martha's Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate - Raw sewage backup in luxury rental

    Raw sewage backup in luxury rental

    Martha's Vineyard Vacation Rentals & Real Estate - Raw sewage in shower

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    Raw sewage in shower

    The Inkwell - beaches - Updated October 2026

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