I absolutely love this beach, there's something special about those quiet mornings when the wind…read morewhips 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!

Excellent hospitality and accommodations! Such a warming and great place to stay for the weekend…read more 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.

Beautiful beach with calm waters and nice sand. Jaws bridge is attached to beach and people enjoy…read morejumping from the bridge. There's public parking down the entire beach but can be hard to find a spot on a sunny day. Water was a cool comfortable temperature and beautiful views of ocean and a pond on the other side of the road. Great beach if looking for a relaxing non wave beach.

Beautiful beach with calm waters! Great beach for a fun, but laid back day. The jumping bridge is…read morefun but always gets crowded. Go for the calm waters and to swim around in peace.

PROS: This park reminds me of a smaller Boston commons park! Landscaping is good, parking is free…read moreand plentiful, and it has a nice view of the water CONS: the fields are riddled with goose droppings so it's not good for field activities OVERALL: as long as you stay on the sidewalks throughout the park you'll be fine

Great park by the ferry. Relax while waiting for the ferry. There's a gazebo and a nice ocean…read moreview. Nice open space to relax and end your day on the island before heading home or even just spend part of your day relaxing once you get to the island.

This is a good place to meet friends. The MBL scientists socialize their and so it can be a…read morefascinating place

I will admit this is 5 star to me and probably not for the general public opinion. It's small and…read morequaint and clean with virtually no parking and you might need a town sticker even for that possibility. But if you are living or visiting nearby and can walk over to a tiny but great space for families to play on a beach with an old fashion Cape Cod feel, do it. Especially if you are part of the scientist community, whether world renowned or just a student. You might even run into people you know from the labs. Little kids love it and can build sand piles forever. I can't even begin to count how many times I have been here over a time span of 37 years. There's a lifeguard in summer season and a porta-potty. That's it, though I think an ice cream truck sometimes visits on great beach days.

This place is incredible. The perfect group of people running this place, most have been there for…read moreseveral seasons. I rented one of their 15 Ft sail boats here and took it out with my Girlfriend and we went right out and sailed the entire lagoon over the course of about 1.5 hours. The boat was in good shape and handled in the water well. The sail was in great shape too. The prices are very affordable and it took literally no time to get out on the water, they rig for you and send you off. The sailboats would fit 4 adults comfortably and the views in the lagoon are fantastic. Highly recommend this if you are in MV for any amount of time. I noticed they have good kayaks and other adventure options as well. 5 stars, thanks Winds Up !

Jeff is the man. We rent kayaks every year from Winds Up. We got in a late today and Jeff helped…read moreus out getting everything we needed. And reserving online was super easy.

Very accessible by walking with plenty of parking options if you want to take a stroll near the…read morewater.

Called Pay Beach, this sandy beach is within easy walking distance from the Oak Bluffs Pier on…read moreMartha's Vineyard. We took a daytrip from Boston on the HyLine high speed ferries, and this was a great place to enjoy the ocean without having to take transportation. There is a way to directly access the beach from the pier, cutting your way through a broken wall. But the easier (proper) way is to take the stairs from the overlooking bluff further east. There is a large lifeguard tower, though there was nobody at the beach or in the tower when we got there on a Friday afternoon. It was a rainy day, so even with the high temperaturs (upper 80's), nobody was there until school let out and a group of school kids camped out to enjoy the weather.

Had a good time on a private sailing tour around the vineyard with Capitan Wendy! This is one of…read morethe options (we sailed with four different companies) on the island and this was the first! She's fantastic and friendly and kid-friendly as well! I would recommend a sail with her if you're on the island!

Really disappointed. The sailing part was wonderful but we had purchased a JAWS adventure. we were…read moresupposed to see different locations where the filming had happened. We never left the harbor! They didn't have any facts or plans to make this a JAWS cruise. we paid a lot of money for my husband's birthday. And when I wrote them- they never wrote back. Don't do the JAWS cruise.

Martha's Vineyard Picnic delivered an unforgettable experience that exceeded every expectation for…read moreour baby shower celebration. Juliana curated a stunning setup that felt both personal and magical, making the day truly one-of-a-kind. She thought of everything--an ideal location, charming baby boy-themed touches, a tented play area for our toddlers, music, and even Polaroids for guests to capture memories. Beyond the beautiful aesthetic, Juliana was a joy to work with: organized, communicative, and clearly passionate about what she does. Our guests are still talking about how special and unique the day felt.

From the owner: We are Martha’s Vineyard Picnic, passionate about setting up a dreamy, memorable and special…read moreboutique pop-up picnic. Our designed gourmet romantic picnics offer a unique and enjoyable experience for any occasion.