Inkwell Beach
Oak Bluffs, MA
The Inkwell, off Seaview Avenue in Oak Bluffs, is a short sandy beach with a long history as a gathering place for the island's Black community, going back to the late 1800s. The water is shallow and protected. It sits close to the ferry landing and the Oak Bluffs harbor.
A real piece of Vineyard history with calm water and a lively scene, though space is tight on peak summer days.
How we score beachesCome for the atmosphere, not for solitude. Weekend afternoons draw a real social crowd, and the beach is best on a sunny afternoon when everyone is out.
There is free street parking nearby, and no sticker is needed. Spots near Seaview Avenue fill on summer weekends, so walking from town is often easier.
The beach sits right off the street with a flat approach from the sidewalk. It is easy to reach from downtown Oak Bluffs.
Dogs are prohibited during daytime hours from mid May through mid September.
The protected harbor side keeps the water gentle, and it warms into the upper 60s to low 70s by August. Summer weekends are the liveliest.
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