Major city · United States
Aquinnah
Spend a half‑day in Aquinnah to see the Gay Head cliffs and lighthouse; add a night only if you want beach time or a quiet stay.
Aquinnah is a small town at Martha's Vineyard's western tip. Its main attractions – the multi‑coloured Gay Head cliffs, the historic lighthouse and the nearby beaches – are close together, so a half‑day covers the highlights. Overnight accommodation exists but is limited and pricey, so most visitors treat Aquinnah as a day stop from a base elsewhere on the island.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm, full ferry service)
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited ferry and bus)
- Airport
- MVY
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Aquinnah911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Aquinnah, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyAquinnah is safe; main concerns are the illegal climbing of cliffs and respecting beach nudity norms.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMVY Martha's Vineyard Airport (Seasonal service, about 10 min drive from Aquinnah).
- Getting aroundBicycle is the most common way to explore the bluffs and beaches; the MTA #5 bus runs a limited loop through Aquinnah.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café$2–$4
- Street or quick mealSandwich or salad$6–$12
- Museum or sight ticketGay Head Lighthouse entry$5 adults, under 12 free
- Budget bedDuck Inn room, a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedOutermost Inn room, a night, per roomUS$350
- High-end bedOutermost Inn room, a night, per roomUS$390
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$80 · High US$130
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MVY Martha's Vineyard Airport (Seasonal service, about 10 min drive from Aquinnah)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aquinnah: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bicycle is the most common way to explore the bluffs and beaches; the MTA #5 bus runs a limited loop through Aquinnah. Roads are steep and windy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Outermost Inn
7 rooms, upscale, reservation only; $310‑$390 per night (seasonal).
Duck Inn
1 suite and 4 rooms on a bluff; limited info on price.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–$80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–$130 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Outermost Inn room1 × 1 night × US$310 | US$310 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$50 | US$100 |
| Bike ferry West Basin (summer)2 × US$5 · check schedule | US$10 |
| MTA #5 bus day pass2 × US$12 · check schedule | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$244 per person per day, bed included | US$488 |
Seasonal rates, reservation required
2026 estimate in USD; flights and ferry passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | $2–$4 |
| Sandwich or salad | $6–$12 |
| Gay Head Lighthouse entry | $5 adults, under 12 free |
| Bike ferry (summer)check | $5–$7 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Stay off the cliffs and out of the clay – illegal and fined.
- Nudity is tolerated on the northern part of Moshup Beach, but police enforce the clay‑cliff protection rules.
- The West Basin Bike Ferry operates summer only; check schedule before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AquinnahAquinnah
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US citizens need no visa for short visits; see /united-states/visa-requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MTA #5 bus Aquinnah loop: about $12 per day (check schedule)
- Bike ferry West Basin: about $5–$7 per person, summer only (check)
Say or show
- Excusez‑moi / Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (excusez‑moi)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (combien ça coûte)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the restroom? (où sont les toilettes)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Aquinnah. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (warm, full ferry service) · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited ferry and bus) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Aquinnah
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