Overview
Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head) is a town at the western end of Martha's Vineyard. The bright, multi-colored clay cliffs at Gay Head are a fabulous sight. Aquinnah is home to the Wampanoag Tribe, residents of Martha's Vineyard for thousands of years and the majority population of the town. The town consists of sparsely developed bluffs surrounded by beaches.
7 sights · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Aquinnah
Gay Head Lighthouse
Tours on summer evenings to see the sunset
Gay Head Cliffs
Public area adjacent to the lighthouse with spectacular views of the beach below, Vineyard Sound, and Cuttyhunk
Moshup Beach
Pay lots on Moshup Trail just south of State Road, with beach access and a drop-off spot about 0.5 miles south of the pay lot. This beach stretches for over a mile along the southwestern end of the island, wrapping aroun…
Lobsterville Beach
Two miles of beach on the northern side of Aquinnah, which is more sheltered than Moshup Beach around to the south.
Philbin Beach
Limited to Aquinnah residents.
Gay Head Moraine
Land Bank property for hiking, picnicking, birding.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Newport)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 25 mi away. Directions
- NPT Newport State Airport, Newport — 29 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 42 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $310–$310 a night (typical $350), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$350, mid-range ~$420, comfortable ~$480.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gay Head Cliffs, Moshup Beach
- Lunch The Outermost Inn
- Afternoon Philbin Beach, Martha's Vineyard Leisure Charters
Day 2
- Morning Gay Head Lighthouse, Lobsterville Beach
- Afternoon Gay Head Moraine
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Place West Basin Bike Ferry
Carries bicycles and people, but not cars, between Menemsha and the Lobsterville part of Aquinnah. Operates summer only.
Get around
Bicycling is popular, but the roads are windy and steep. The MTA bus provides limited service within Aquinnah.
See
See Gay Head Cliffs
Public area adjacent to the lighthouse with spectacular views of the beach below, Vineyard Sound, and Cuttyhunk
See Moshup Beach
Pay lots on Moshup Trail just south of State Road, with beach access and a drop-off spot about 0.5 miles south of the pay lot. This beach stretches for over a mile along the southwestern end of the island, wrapping around the Gay Head Light. This beach is known for the picturesque clay cliffs that rise up from the edge of the beach. Nudity is common and tolerated on the northern end of the beach. Aquinnah police strictly enforce the ban on disturbing the clay cliffs, but do not enforce clothing requirements. Naked is OK, but covered in clay will get you in trouble.
See Lobsterville Beach
Two miles of beach on the northern side of Aquinnah, which is more sheltered than Moshup Beach around to the south.
Do
- Stay off the cliffs and out of the clay. Both are illegal.
Buy
Aquinnah's only retail shops are a group of stores on Aquinnah Circle, adjacent to the Gay Head Lighthouse. Most close around dusk.
Eat
Eat The Outermost Inn
Upscale dining by reservation only
Sleep
Nearby
Chilmark
City / town · 17 listings · 3 mi away
West Tisbury
City / town · 16 listings · 7 mi away
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Tisbury
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Oak Bluffs
City / town · 42 listings · 15 mi away
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My experience
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