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Best Beaches

Moshup Beach, Martha's Vineyard

Seek Respite on the Vineyard

 By Valerie Conners

Overview

As summer commences, crowds swarm Martha's Vineyard in droves, but respite can be found in the Vineyard's far eastern reaches - up-island, as it's known locally. Knowledgeable visitors quickly trade the cottages, white picket fences, charming sea captains' houses and bustling shops of towns for the placid beauty and pristine sands of Moshup Beach.

Tucked beneath the infamous Gay Head Cliffs, Moshup Beach is an unspoiled paradise of soft, white sand framed by red, brown and tan striated cliffs looming from above. Perhaps one of the East Coast's finest stretches of beach, Moshup is frequently overlooked by visitors who come only to see the colorful Gay Head Cliffs, an official national landmark. Perched atop the 200-foot-tall cliffs is another Vineyard landmark: the Gay Head Lighthouse, a beacon for sailors since 1844.

Yet, a stroll beyond these attractions, along a wooden boardwalk and onto the sprawling beach, is an oft-ignored trip that rejuvenates the spirit. The area is clean and rarely crowded, the quiet only broken by calls of ospreys and swallows resting on the cliffs. Whether staring into the startling display of colors on the cliff walls, examining them for ancient whale and shark fossils, or swimming the expansive sea, glimpsing distant islands, Moshup Beach is an exceptional destination.


 

Child-Friendliness
rating:
2 of 5
more:
The beach is quiet and lacks entertaining amenities like food or boat rentals; remote areas of the beach are "clothing optional," with no lifeguard on duty.
Swimming
rating:
3 of 5
more:
The water isn't as cold as other island beaches, but the surf and undertow can be strong.
Sand
rating:
5 of 5
more:
Clean, soft and sprawling, Moshup's white sand is perfect for lounging.
Atmosphere
rating:
5 of 5
more:
Remote and unspoiled with a rugged backdrop of remarkable cliffs, Moshup is an exceptional testament to the beauty of nature.
Non-Beach Activities
rating:
4 of 5
more:
Historic landmarks, maritime museums and a range of outdoor activities abound on the island; but Vineyard visitors are notoriously wealthy, and taking advantage of the area's hospitality can be notoriously pricey.

 



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Pictures: Travel Channel |

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