Menemsha Beach
Chilmark, MA
Menemsha Beach curves beside the working fishing harbor in Chilmark, where the jetty, fishing boats, and shingled shacks give it a postcard feel. The water is gentler than the south shore, and after a swim you can get a lobster roll a few steps away. It faces west, and the sunset crowd starts gathering by late afternoon.
Harbor charm, real sunsets, and free access to everyone make it a genuine island favorite, though summer parking can fill up.
How we score beachesBring a picnic from one of the harbor markets and stay for sunset. Cars can queue for parking on summer evenings, so consider the up-island VTA bus (Route 4).
Free public parking is available in the village, and it fills on summer afternoons. The beach is open to all visitors with no pass required.
The sand is a short walk from the village lot and the approach is mostly flat. Facilities are close by in the village.
Lifeguards are posted in summer, and the Sound side water warms up into August. Fall evenings are calm and golden.
More Atlantic Coast beaches
Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.
Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.
Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.