Martha’s Vineyard Attraction
Discover the island’s maritime history with a visit to a Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse. There are five lighthouses on the island, each offering their own unique look and story to tell.
The West Chop Lighthouse
Built in 1817, the West Chop Lighthouse is located at the entrance of Vineyard Haven Harbor. It was the last lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard to be automated. The former lightkeeper’s cottage is now vacant and is used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The best way to view the lighthouse is riding the ferry to and from Woods Hole.
The East Chop Lighthouse
On the other side of the harbor in Vineyard Haven is the East Chop Lighthouse in Oak Bluffs, near Martha’s Vineyard Surfside Hotel. This is the site of the first telegraph signals used in 1828, thus the name Telegraph Hill.
The Gay Head Lighthouse
The Gay Head Lighthouse is located in the town of Aquinnah and rests dangerously close to the rugged seashore cliffs, where it was actually moved in 2015 to avoid being sent out to sea. The lighthouse park is open to the public year-round, but the interior is only open for tours on a seasonal basis.
Edgartown Lighthouse
The Edgartown Lighthouse was built in 1828, raised on a small man-made island in the Edgartown Harbor. Renovations over the years have made it possible to easily access via a sandy beach and stairs added to the interior to allow for viewing inside.
The Cape Poge Lighthouse
Found at the northeast end of Chappaquiddick Island, the Cape Poge Lighthouse is the island’s most remote light. Having been almost completely lost at sea several times, the lighthouse has been moved often, having gained recognition as the first lighthouse to be moved by helicopter in 1985.