Guided Day Trips to Clothing-Optional Beach at Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard
Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, Aug. 24
Rain dates: When there is inclement weather, the trip may be postponed to the Sunday following originally scheduled date.
Naturist New Hampshire teams up with Pilgrim Naturists for two guided day trips to a nude beach on Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Travelers take the 9:30 a.m. Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole Ferry Terminal on Cape Cod (just south of Falmouth MA) for the crossing to Oak Bluffs township on Martha’s Vineyard Island. There you meet up with trip coordinator Tom Moore who will have a “Pilgrim” sign at the dock. From there you will share the cost of taxis or a shuttle van to get to the beach. Arrival at the beach itself is late morning.
Bring everything you need for several hours’ stay, as the beach is remote and there are no services.
Pack a cover-up in the event of a cool sea breeze or too much sun, sunscreen (SPF 35 or higher recommended), bathing suit for off-site movements, snacks or lunch, and plenty of liquid refreshments. We also recommend some good sandals or sneakers for a short crossing over a rocky area of the beach to the traditional nude area.
Late in the afternoon, the taxis will return to pick the group up for the return trip to town. Travelers can then elect to return to the mainland or remain on the island for some touring, dinner, and a later ferry. Some people return to the mainland and take in Woods Hole or other Cape Cod offerings.
Overall estimated cost for the trip, including parking ($20), round-trip ferry ($20), and a share of the taxi cost ($35) amounts to $75 per individual.
Tom has a plan for public transit travelers from the Boston area. Ask for details and we will have Tom contact you.
Alternate ferry service is available from Quonsett Point in Narragansett RI, but the Rhode Island ferry arrives at a different time. Anyone using that ferry must let Tom know so he can meet that boat and hold the group until everyone is there from both crossings.
Get a ferry schedule! Don’t get stuck on the island! Last ferry returns to the mainland around 9 p.m.
Regarding Nudity
Although Moshup Beach at Gay Head has a long tradition of nude use, the town of Aquinnah in 2006 announced a plan to enforce its standing anti-nudity ordinance which carries a $50 fine for a non-criminal offense. The anti-nudity signs are down and there has been no evidence of enforcement since then.
Important
Contact Tom Moore at 518-330-4487and provide him with the number in your party and your contact phone number for updates in the event of last-minute changes. Registration and questions also may be addressed to free@natnh.com.
Moshup Beach (the nude beach) begins right before the Gay Head cliffs. Moshup is reachable via a 10-minute walk down a trail from a paid parking lot. The beach is known for its large waves and offers stunning views of the cliffs.
Above the beach stands the 51 ft. tall, red brick Gay Head Lighthouse which was erected to warn mariners of their approach to the island in 1799. It was moved to its current location in 1844 in order to prevent its erosion and collapse to the beach below. It sits atop the glacier formed Gay Head Cliffs that back the beach with their red and brown colors. The 130 foot cliffs at the beach are themselves a national landmark. Some of the more gently sloping formations have become covered with grass.
Additional Information:
Steamship Authority Ferry
Take 9:30 a.m. boat from Woods Hole to Oak Bluffs.
Adult $20 round trip, per person
Child 5-12, $10 round trip, per child
Age 4 and under, free
Steamship Parking Lots
$20/day (other lots may vary)
Walk to Ferry from lot across the street, or take the free shuttle bus from remote lot on Rte. 28.
Shared-cost on-island taxi or van, dock to beach and return:
$35 per person distributed cost, tip included, which Tom will collect on trip day.
Our hired private shuttle drops off near the beach and picks up there later in the day.
Alternate: On-Island bus fare info can be found on the Vinayard Transit Page, dropping off at Gayhead Lighthouse.
Alternate Ferry Service
Passenger ferry from Falmouth MA to Oak Bluffs
Passenger ferry from Quonset Point RI to Oak Bluffs
Passenger ferry from New Bedford MA to Martha’s Vineyard
Please remember to tell us which ferry you will arrive on that morning. Ferry boats come in to different docks at Oak Bluffs, and some ferry services arrive at Vineyard Haven.
Accommodations
Madison Inn, 18 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs MA, www.madisoninnmv.com, 508-693-2760.
Nashua House Hotel, 9 Healy Way, Oak Bluffs MA, www.nashuahouse.com, 508-693-2760.
Pequot Hotel, 19 Pequot Ave., Oak Bluffs MA, www.pequothotel.com, 508-693-5087
Narragansett House, 46 Narragansett Ave., Oak Bluffs MA, www.narragansetthouse.com, 508-693-3627.
