Cruising to Edgartown, MA
With an exciting fishing scene, storied maritime history, breathtaking natural beauty and interesting shops and restaurants, Edgartown, Massachusetts has something for every boater to love.
Located on the southeastern side of Martha’s Vineyard, Edgartown is a former whaling center that today is a popular tourist destination. Visiting boaters will find a well-marked channel in Edgartown Harbor, which is divided into an outer and inner harbor, formed by an arm extending into Katama Bay. Boaters will easily spot Edgartown Harbor Light on the west side of the outer harbor. Boaters can find good anchorage in the inner harbor. For information, contact the harbormaster on VHF channel 16 or at 508-627-4746.
Boaters have several marinas to choose from in Edgartown. The Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard (508-693-0400) is a full-service marina that dates back to 1856. Boaters can find hourly dockage at Mad Max Marina(508-627-7400). The Harborside Inn (508-627-4321, ext. 117) also offers dockage.
When visiting the area, allow plenty of time for walking along Edgartown’s scenic streets. The area is home to impressive captains’ houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, along with plenty of other historic buildings, meticulously-landscaped gardens and interesting shops. Stop into the Martha’s Vineyard Museum (508-627–4441), which has a collection of historic buildings and provides insight into the island’s past. The area also has spectacular nature preserves. Mytoi (508-627–7689), on nearby Chappaquiddick Island, is a 14-acre preserve that has a serene, beautifully tended, Japanese-inspired garden with a creek-fed pool spanned by a bridge and rimmed with Japanese maples, azaleas, bamboo, and irises. Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge (508-627–3599), also on Chappaquiddick Island, features dunes, woods, cedar thickets, moors, salt marshes, ponds, tidal flats, and a barrier beach, and it’s an important migration stop for many birds.
Edgartown is home to a large collection of high-quality restaurants. Alchemy Bistro and Bar (508-627–9999) is an elegant, high-class French-style bistro. Détente (508-627–8810) is an intimate wine bar and restaurant offering an innovative menu with food provide by local farms and fishermen. The Dunes at Winnetu Oceanside Resort (508-627–3663) is renowned for its locally-caught seafood.
