Martha's Vineyard

[ekirkland]

My wife and I will be on Cape Cod in July and want to visit Martha's Vineyard by way of ferry from Falmouth or Woods Hole. My question is do we go to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs? We'll probably walk around or rent bikes. Are there trolleys or what ever to get around? What might we expect from each ferry destination? Any other advice would be appreciated.

[K_and_I]

I spoke with a volunteer at one of the cape lighthouses. He said that the steamship authority accepts bids for operating and maintaining the ferries. As a governmental agency, they must accept the lowest bid. He said that at the last bid, things went downhill fast. He said that there have been over 600 trips cancelled this year, which is what Jerry has been saying.
I ended up booking on Hy-Line for a trip tomorrow (Wed). It was a little more expensive than Island Queen, but closer to our campground, and more departure times to choose from.
Thanks again for all who responded. I appreciate the help.

[kfp673]

We spent 4 days on the cape last year and a full week on MV. We brought the camper and stayed at MV campground. It was excellent. Expensive to put the truck and trailer on the ferry but well worth it. We loved staying there as it's right outside Vineyard Haven and close to Oaks Bluff. Enjoy your trip

[K_and_I]

Thanks, Jerry. I guess we'll just have to decide if we are willing to take the chance. In all probability, we won't get back here again (getting old, and too many places we want to see), so we had hoped to have a little more time on MV.

[jplante4]

Plenty to do in Oak Bluffs. Ride the oldest merry-go-round in the country, walk the Tabernacle, have ice cream at Mad Martha's. However, if you do the steamship later ferries, you can make Edgartown which is a little more "Vineyardy".

The issue with the steamship ferries is reliability. You may get over and not get back. If you park in Woods Hole and have to fly back, it's a $60 cab ride from the airport in Hyannis to the ferry dock. I'm assuming that you don't have the flexibility to stay on the island.

The best (and most expensive) way is to just fly over and back.

[K_and_I]

Question for the Martha's Vineyard experts:
My DW and I hope to go over next week (we're in Cape Cod now). Everyone has suggested using the Island Queen ferry for the trip. In looking at their website, their first ferry leaves Falmouth at 9:00, and the last ferry leaves Oak Bluffs at 3:45. That doesn't seem like much time on the island. How much can we see in that time window? Does it pay to rent a car or just stay in OB? Should I look at another ferry? I know Jerry has said to stay away from the Steamship Authority ferries, but they do offer a later departure from OB, giving more time on the island. I would really appreciated hearing from the experts.
TIA

[Rangerman40]

We took the ferry to Oak Bluffs and rented a car once we got there. It's a lot bigger than you'd think lol.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Was out there 3 times between 1970 & 1973. Can't imagine the traffic now. We had family friends from the island to stay with and even tent camped another time.

[jplante4]

Here's the route map. You can get pretty much anywhere on the island by bus, just not very quickly.

[ekirkland]

Can anyone comment on the bus/trolley system on the island? We'll most likely enter at Oak Bluffs since most here recommend that port.

[jplante4]

Plenty to do in Oak Bluffs and the logistics (parking, traffic etc) of taking the Island Queen are easier than Woods Hole. In addition, the Woods Hole ferry is run by a state agency and, as with all other infrastructure in the state, is suffering from neglect. They have canceled hundreds of trips since the beginning of the year due to maintenance issues. You may get there and not be able to get back.

The Island Queen is a private company not associated with the Steamship Authority.

The Flying Horses carousel, Mad Marthas ice cream, and the Tabernacle make OB a better destination than Vineyard Haven. The only attraction in Vineyard Haven is The Black Dog where you can buy an over-priced trendy tee shirt to prove that you've been there.

[paulcardoza]

Oak Bluffs, or rent mopeds and then it won't matter. Vineyard Haven is DRY. Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are not.

[Lantley]

I've been to Martha vineyard a few times. We take the Ferry to Oak Bluffs. I have to prefer to rent a car or bring my car on the Ferry.
My car is a dually pickup which is considered oversized and cost more to bring so I will rent a car when there.
I have rented scooters but feel they are too dangerous to ride in traffic.
Bikes are OK if you want to just stay in Oak Bluffs,but if you want to see the entire island bikes are too much work unless you are a true cyclist.
Martha Vineyard consist of a few quaint beach towns and shopping districts dispersed across a very busy island with lots of traffic.
My best suggestion for getting around is to use a car.

[midnightsadie]

42years ago we spent out honeymoon out there ,they had VW taxe.s back then. best thing I ever did in my life .

[Dick_B]

We rented motor scooters some time back. I assume they are still available.
It's been awhile but I seem to remember some quaint towns whose ambience was spoiled by all of the overhead wires.