You are here

Getting to Martha's Vineyard by Ferry

You may sail to Martha's Vineyard from five Massachusetts ports and one Rhode Island port: The ports of Woods Hole, Hyannis and New Bedford, MA offer year round service to the Island. Falmouth and Nantucket, MA - and Quonset, Rhode Island - only run seasonally.

Steamship Authority boats from Woods Hole dock in the town of Vineyard Haven in the winter, and both Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs in the summer. This is the only line that accommodates cars and trucks. Service is offered numerous times daily, with greater frequency in the busy summer months. Reservations for cars are required in the high-season and a good idea in the low-season.

The ferry from New Bedford carries passengers only and operates year round. The ferries from Falmouth, Quonset and Hyannis carry passengers only, and operate during the spring, summer, and fall. Passenger ferries to and from Nantucket run only during the summer months.

Approximate voyage times:

  • From Woods Hole: 45 minutes
  • From Falmout: 40 minutes
  • From Hyannis: 1 hour and 45 minutes; (high speed) 50 minutes
  • From New Bedford: 1 hour
  • From Nantucket: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • From Quonset, Rhode Island: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Driving Directions to Martha's Vineyard

For ferry schedules, reservation requirements, and information on bringing your car by boat to the Island, visit the following websites:

The Steamship Authority

Offers routes to and from Woods Hole, Hyannis, Nantucket and New Bedford daily year-round.
*NOTE: Contact Sandcastle Realty should you need assistance booking your auto reservation.

The Island Queen

Offers seasonal daily walk-on passenger-only service to and from Falmouth to the town of Oak Bluffs.

Hy-line Cruises

Offering year-round high-speed ferry service from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs in 50 minutes. Traditional service to and from Hyannis and Nantucket to the town of Oak Bluffs seasonally. Passengers only.

New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard Express Ferry

Offers year round daily passenger-only express ferry service from historic New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard. One hour trip to Oak Bluffs in summer / Vineyard Haven in winter. Reservations recommended.

Rhode Island - Vineyard Fast Ferry

Seasonal fast ferry service from Quonset Point, RI to Oak Bluffs aboard a 400 passenger high-speed catamaran. Ferry is 15 min. away from the Providence (PVD) Airport or 20 min. from Amtrak (KIN). Offers first-class amenities, advance reservations & dockside parking. May-Oct. with 2 to 3 round-trips daily.