Pet-Friendly Martha's Vineyard

by Wendy Harman


Martha's Vineyard is a great place to get away with your pet. On top of the many enjoyable activities and beaches, the Island has a wonderfully casual and dog lovin' vibe.

Traveling With Your Pet To Martha's Vineyard
If you're planning to travel to Martha's Vineyard by ferry, you'll be glad to know that most of the ferry companies will allow you to bring your pet on board provided that it is leashed at all times and in designated areas only. What's more, pets travel for free!

Steamship Authority
Year-round car and passenger ferry service between Woods Hole, MA and Martha's Vineyard (45-minute crossing).

Vineyard Fast Ferry
Year-round passenger ferry service between New Bedford, MA and Martha's Vineyard (one-hour crossing).

Cape Air
This regional airline will also allow you to bring your pet on board for just a $10.00 fee. Cape Air offers flights to Martha's Vineyard from Boston, New Bedford, Hyannis and Nantucket -- as well as Providence, Rhode Island. Advance reservations and arrangements are necessary for traveling with your pet on Cape Air.

Martha's Vineyard Pet-Friendly Lodging
There are a myriad of pet-friendly accommodations on Martha's Vineyard ranging from hotels and inns to private vacation homes and cottages. Destination Insider Martha's Vineyard includes an overview of Martha's Vineyard pet-friendly hotels and inns on their website. You can also contact their Travel Office (508.696.3900) for assistance if you are looking for private vacation homes or cottages that will accommodate your pet.

Outdoor Pet-Friendly Restaurants

Espresso Love (Post Office Square, Edgartown, 888-224-4549)
Feel the love at this all-time favorite Island establishment. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio/terrace (in-season). Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner including scrumptuous baked goods, sandwiches, soups, salads and an eclectic dinner menu during the summer season.

Pet-Friendly Shopping On Martha's Vineyard
Here are some favorite pet-friendly or related shops and markets which may be fun to visit during your stay:

The West Tisbury Farmer’s Market (Old Grange Hall, West Tisbury)
Well-behaved (and leashed) dogs are invited to the West Tisbury Farmer's Market which is an island tradition during the summer season (mid-June thru the end of August). The market is open Saturday and Wednesday mornings between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Good Dog Goods (Upper Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs)
This popular shop located in Oak Bluffs features a variety of dog gifts and includes a dog bakery. Shoppers and their pets are welcome!

- The Black Dog General Store
Whether or not you have a dog that resembles the Island's most popular icon, the Black Labrador Retriever, a visit to the Black Dog General Store for a classic bandana or other trinket for you or your canine friend during your visit. There are Black Dog General Stores located in each of the three main towns: Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven.

Pet-Friendly Beaches On Martha's Vineyard
Dogs are allowed at designated times at the following beaches. Please note the pets are required to be leashed at all times and owners are responsible to remove all pet waste from the beach.

- Joseph Sylvia State Beach(between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs)
Before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. daily (unless restricted by nesting birds)

- Norton Point Beach (end of Katama, Rd. Edgartown)
Before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 pm. daily (unless restricted by nesting birds)

- Eastville Point Beach (At The Lagoon drawbridge in Vineyard Haven)
Before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. daily (unless restricted by nesting birds)

- South Beach (Katama/Edgartown)
After 5:00 p.m. daily only

Dog Parks
Trade Winds Preserve (off County Road, Oak Bluffs) is the official dog park and an ideal place to get out and socialize with other owners and their pets. Beyond the two miles of walking trails (sectioned into three loops), there are expansive meadows that are ideal for throwing a frisbee or tennis ball. You and your pooch are sure to make lots of new friends at Trade Winds Preserve.

Pet-Friendly Walking & Hiking Trails
Martha's Vineyard offers dozens of walking and hiking opportunities throughout the Island's six unique towns/areas, most of which can be enjoyed with your pet (leashed). Here are a few of my top picks:

Sheriff's Meadow Foundation
- Caroline Tuthill Preserve, Edgartown
- Cedar Tree Neck, West Tisbury
- Sheriff's Meadow Sanctuary, Edgartown

Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Properties
- Blackwater Pond Reservation, West Tisbury
- Christiantown Woods Preserve, West Tisbury
- Farm Pond Preserve, Oak Bluffs
- Featherstone Farm, Oak Bluffs
- Katama Point Preserve, Edgartown
- Middle Line Woods Preserve, Chilmark
- Old County Arboretum, West Tisbury
- Peaked Hill Reservation, Chilmark
- Poucha Pond Reservation, Edgartown
- Quays Corner, Oak Bluffs
- Waskosim's Rock Reservation, Chilmark/West Tisbury
- Wapatequa Woods Preserve, Oak Bluffs
- Wompesket Preserve, West Tisbury

NOTE: The Trustees of Reservations properties are typically wildlife refuges and are therefore NOT pet-friendly (this includes Long Point Refuge, Menemsha Hills Reservation and Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge).