South Beach
Edgartown, MA
South Beach runs three miles along Martha's Vineyard's southern shore, the island's longest and most popular Atlantic facing beach, separating Katama Bay from open ocean. Real surf breaks here, a contrast to the calmer harbor beaches closer to town.
Three miles of real surf and open ocean beach make this the Vineyard's most substantial stretch of sand, though the total dog ban and the ferry trip to even reach the island are real considerations.
How we score beachesPark at the Herring Creek Road end rather than Katama Road. Erosion has narrowed the beach and the parking at the Katama Road side considerably in recent years.
Parking is open to the public with no current restrictions, though space and beach width vary by access point and can change without notice.
The beach is wide and open at the Herring Creek Road end. The Katama Road end has narrower sand and more limited parking due to erosion.
Dogs are not allowed at South Beach at any time, a strict year-round policy with no seasonal exception.
Water reaches the upper 60s to low 70s by August, typical of the Vineyard's Atlantic side. Fall keeps the surf without the ferry traffic and summer crowds.
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