Moshup Beach
Aquinnah, MA
Moshup Beach stretches beneath the multicolored Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah, a National Natural Landmark of clay and sand. It takes about ten minutes to walk down from the lot, and the payoff is a half mile of Atlantic shoreline under the cliffs. Climbing the cliffs or taking clay is illegal.
Nothing on the island looks quite like the cliffs, but the walk in, paid parking, and a lack of lifeguards keep it from being a casual beach day.
How we score beachesLeave the cliffs untouched, since climbing or removing clay is illegal. Go on a clear morning when the colors show best.
The town charges to park at the Cliffs lot in season, and payment is by credit card. The lot is small.
It is a walk of about ten minutes down a path from the lot, with soft sand at the bottom. There are no lifeguards.
Atlantic surf and cooler water are typical, and late summer is warmest. Fall days are clear and less crowded.
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