The 15 Best Martha's Vineyard Tours

1.#1 Best 3hr Martha’s Vineyard shared Island Tour from Oak Bluffs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,439 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

In three hours, a local driver-guide takes you from Oak Bluffs through Edgartown to Aquinnah in an air-conditioned minibus capped at 14 people. Expect island history, the Flying Horses Carousel, the Jaws bridge and a short stop at the colorful cliffs. Names associated with the tour include Mac, Greg and Bill, though your guide will depend on the day.

“Fantastic, Bill was great! I would definitely recommend. He was knowledgeable about the island and history.”

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2.Best of Martha’s Vineyard 3 hour Full-Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 406 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Ride in an air-conditioned minibus with a guide who shares island history, local stories and Jaws filming details. The three-hour route from Oak Bluffs takes in Aquinnah’s clay cliffs, Menemsha, the Gingerbread Cottages and Edgartown, with a maximum of 14 people. Guides include Paul, John, Jim and Harry, though you cannot count on a particular guide.

“Paul was a great guide and gave us lots of information around the island. In addition, he and his team were very good with their communication both prior to end during the event. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to spend a day on the island because there’s no way we could have actually learned as much as we did if we were on our own.”

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3.All Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 211 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

HomeGrown Tours’ three-hour bus tour circles Martha’s Vineyard with island-born guides such as Stan, Deedee, Dave, and Martha. Expect four stops to explore, views of Aquinnah’s clay cliffs, Oak Bluffs’ Gingerbread Cottages, Edgartown whaling homes, island history, and Jaws filming sites. The tour meets near the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal and costs $70 per person.

“Guide was knowledgeable and had a very pleasant personality”

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4.All Island Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $75

Meet in Oak Bluffs for a three-hour, air-conditioned bus tour of Martha’s Vineyard with a local guide. Stops include Aquinnah Cliffs and the Camp Meeting Association Cottage Museum. Guides Stan and DeDe share island history and personal stories, while a screen shows images of some sites in the 1800s. Ponchos, bottled water, and snacks are provided.

“Stan was a fantastic tour guide, so informative and shared some great stories of him living on the island.”

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5.Down Island Tour with One Hour in Edgartown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · from $65

This roughly three-hour Down Island bus tour starts near the ferry and travels through Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven before an hour in Edgartown for lunch, shopping, whaling history, and JAWS filming sites. A local guide narrates the island’s stories. Guides have included Stan and Devan. The group is limited to 14, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

“Communication with the tour operator on MV was terrible. Our 10:30 reservation was changed to 9:30 days before then directions for pick up were confusing (told us to walk several blocks from pier after initial told to look for van near pier!). But the young man who drove and narrated saved the day and was stellar.”

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6.Martha’s Vineyard Private Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews Top rated

Travel around Martha’s Vineyard in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and pickup at a location you choose. The roughly three-hour tour can include Oak Bluffs’ Flying Horses Carousel and Gingerbread Cottages, Edgartown’s harbor and lighthouse, and Aquinnah’s clay cliffs. Guide Rich M, who grew up on the island, has shared its history and stories about notable residents.

“Rich M was born and raised on the island and was very knowledgeable. Tour was great! Drove all the way around the island and learned about history and famous visitors/residents.”

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7.Martha’s Vineyard Tours Private and Fun!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews

Spend about four hours touring Martha’s Vineyard in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an island guide. The route can include the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, Edgartown’s Memorial Wharf, Alley's General Store, Aquinnah Cliffs, and Menemsha. Guides named Craig and Gregory have led tours, but the guide is not guaranteed. Clarify before booking whether seafood and wine are included.

“Our tour guide Gregory was very knowledgeable and took us to all of the best spots. Favorite spots were the Menemsha seafood stop with wine and the Aquinnah stop for the scenery. Only negative was that we could not always hear Gregory especially sitting in back of van. But definitely prefer the private tour vs. the large group tour which I did a few years ago.”

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8.Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island(3hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

In about three hours, a local guide takes your private group around Martha’s Vineyard in a clean luxury minivan. Expect lighthouse views, Aquinnah’s painted clay cliffs, Edgartown’s harbor and Oak Bluffs’ Gingerbread Cottages, with island stories along the way. Craig leads many tours; the start is at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority Terminal.

“My family and I traveled to the vineyard, as my mom has always wanted to go. Craig was wonderful. The experience was personal, Craig was very knowledgeable about the different parts of the island and was very accomadating, as we had a toddler with us and my parents are seniors. It was a great experience that I would say, highly recommend!”

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9.All New Shared Jaws tour Budget Friendly

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $130

Spend about four hours touring Martha’s Vineyard’s Jaws locations with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see Menemsha, the Aquinnah Cliffs, beaches and filming sites, then cross the Jaws bridge. Guides have included Matt, who wrote a book about the film’s production, and Phil, who appeared in the movie as a boy. Expect island history alongside movie lore.

“More than just a Jaws tour. A fun look at the movie, but also great info about the island given by an engaging local tour guide. I highly recommend!”

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10.Marthas Vineyard Luxury Tour (2hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Laid Back Tours’ private, two-hour drive begins and ends at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority Terminal. Guide Craig takes your group past West Chop Lighthouse, Katama Beach, Edgartown, Jaws Bridge and Oak Bluffs’ Gingerbread Cottages, sharing island history along the way. Expect a clean luxury minivan, bottled water and a quick-paced route with brief stops.

“Craig was full of information that was interesting and we had not known before. Craig was funny and ready to answer any of our queztions. We truly enjoyed our time with Craig.”

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11.4 hours Hop-on Hop-off Jawsome Jaws Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about four hours visiting Martha’s Vineyard locations used in JAWS, from Edgartown and Menemsha to Jaws Bridge and Gay Head Lighthouse. Guide Jeff shares filming stories and trivia, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour starts at noon and costs $160 per person.

“Great insights on the making of the movie. Took us to key shooting sites, explaining how they were used. It was raining but that didn't spoil anything. I have watched the movie again and it has a new side to it now I know how it was done. Recommended.”

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12.Martha Vineyard Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $60

HomeGrown Tours covers Martha’s Vineyard by air-conditioned bus, stopping at East Chop Lighthouse, Menemsha, Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, Orange Peel Bakery, and Morning Glory Farm. A screen shows historical images of some sites, and guides such as Stan have shared local and personal island stories. Expect about three hours, with time to explore at scheduled stops.

“Very informative, friendly tour guide. Stopped for sightseeing and bathroom breaks, gave us plenty of time too.”

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13.Edgartown Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $9Best value

Follow a self-guided English audio tour through Edgartown, from the Dr. Daniel Fisher House area to the lighthouse at Lighthouse Beach. The WalknTours app gives turn-by-turn directions and stories about whaling, Native American history, the Underground Railroad, local legends, and Jaws. Plan on about an hour to 75 minutes, and bring a charged phone.

“Well narrated. Interesting tour. I’d recommended. Especially like the details on Walking directions.”

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14.Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $12

This self-guided Oak Bluffs walk uses audio and an interactive GPS map to connect Ocean Park, a scenic beach, the gingerbread cottages, Circuit Avenue, the Flying Horses Carousel, and Oak Bluffs Harbor. You can start when you like, pause for a swim or a meal, and follow turn-by-turn directions on your phone.

“Nice tour. Wised it worked better with the IPhone in that it showed were you were and promoted you to turn onto the next street. Otherwise great information.”

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15.Martha’s Vineyard Venture Scavenger Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Start near Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs and follow a digital scavenger hunt guided by a live remote host. Walk or drive to stops including The Lazy Frog, Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, and the Flying Horses Carousel. Solve clues, send photos, and take on playful challenges. Bring a charged smartphone with GPS and working data and messaging.

“I am still waiting to hear if a refund will be issued due to having to cancel because of weather. I was told I would hear within 48 hours and it has been over a week:(.”

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