CHAPPAQUIDDICKSee link for the Chappaquiddick Community Center on our Guest Services page. Chappy, as it is most commonly called, is "almost an island". Three miles wide by five miles long and situated to the east of Edgartown, it is attached to the main island by a tenuous strip of beach on the south side of Martha's Vineyard. At various times in history it has become a completely "Separated Island", which is what the name "Chappaquiddick" means in the indigenous Wampanoag Native American language. Chappaquiddick is rural in nature with one main asphalt road and a number of dirt roads, both narrow and wide. In addition to being surrounded by the ocean, bays and the harbor, with their beautiful beaches, there are fresh and salt water ponds, and salt marshes. The landscape includes fields, forests, "scrub" oak woods, wildflowers, bayberry, blueberries and beach plums. Wildlife abounds, comprised of such creatures as deer, otter, rabbit, skunk, swan, ducks, geese, egret and osprey, plus a number of endangered species and other migratory birds. Like any country setting it also has its share of mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. Access to Chappy is via a charming three-car ferry called the "On Time", which runs between Memorial Wharf in downtown Edgartown and the "Point" of Chappy. Visit the Chappy Ferry website here - www.chappyferry.net. The ferry runs constantly 7:00 AM to Midnight from May 30th to October 15th approximately. From about October 16th to May 30th it runs 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM, 9:00-10:00 PM and 11:00 to 11:15 PM (all dates approximate and subject to change). It is always available in an emergency. The ferry ride is only about three minutes in length and round-trip fares in 2008 are $4.00 per passenger and $12.00 per car & driver. You may purchase books of tickets at a discounted price! Sandcastle will buy any unused tickets from you. Sometimes there is a long wait in line to take a car across, but passengers on foot or a bicycle can board immediately and will find themselves on the "other side" in short order. There is good public transportation to the various island towns, and some of the beaches. You can also reach Chappy by four-wheel drive (with a permit) via the barrier beach from Katama, although access is limited at certain times due to tides, weather and nesting endangered shorebirds. There are no stores on Chappy, with the exception of a little on-again-off-again convenience shop. However, the Chappy ferry lands in the heart of Edgartown and most shopping needs can be satisfied by a short walk, or a quick ride on public transportation. Fine restaurants, galleries, shops and ice cream stores are also close at hand.
Come relax and enjoy, It's a special place! |