Nantucket vs. Martha’s Vineyard: Which is Right for You?

Scenic islands, gorgeous shorelines, small-town vibes, and bicycle rides are some of the things that make a perfect vacation destination. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard fit this description, unlike other New England islands, which feature rocky outcrops and are currently uninhabited. They lie just off the coast of Cape Cod, a magnificent peninsula in Massachusetts.

High-profile people like Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Bill Gates are known to visit Martha’s Vineyard. Onto Nantucket, it has hosted Eric Schmidt and Joe Biden, just to name a few, as high-profile visitors. But you don’t have to be royalty or a celebrity to make these islands a getaway for your next trip.

Besides being 30 miles apart, how do Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard compare to each other, and which one is right for you? Before you visit either, here’s what you should know:

Getting to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard

Your options for getting to both islands vary depending on your traveling budget and preferences. Most people go via yacht, travel by ferry, take a flight or use a private jet.

Ferries headed to Martha’s Vineyard depart from several stations along Cape Cod, Kingston (Rhode Island), and New Bedford (Massachusetts). It takes about 35 minutes to get to the island on a ferry from these stations.

For the Nantucket car ferry, you must book several months in advance if you plan to bring your car to the island. You can use the Hy-Line Cruises passenger ferry or The Steamship Authority car ferry from Hyannis, Massachusetts. Ferry rides to Nantucket take between one to two hours, depending on the vessel.

The SeaStreak ferry is ideal if you are coming from New Bedford.

To get to the island, you may also take a flight arriving at Nantucket Memorial Airport from Hyannis, New York, and Boston.

Flight options include Cape Air, certain major airlines, and private chartered flights. Renting a private jet is a quick way to get to the island while speeding up the check-in time.

Cape Air facilitates flights between the island and Boston or Hyannis. Major airlines like United, American, Delta, and JetBlue have direct flights from New York City and Boston into Nantucket.

You can find flights from Charlotte, New Jersey, Newark, and Washington D.C. to Nantucket. Connecting through Boston Logan and New York’s LaGuardia airports is another option.

Martha’s Vineyard Airport facilitates flights from different parts of the country into Martha’s Vineyard. It accommodates Cape Air ( flights from Boston, Nantucket, Hyannis, and New Bedford) and private air charters. JetBlue (from Boston and New York), Delta (from New York), and American Airlines also land there.

Accessing Martha’s Vineyard From Nantucket and Vice Versa

Traveling to Martha’s Vineyard from Nantucket is possible using an inter-island ferry facilitated by Hy-Line Cruises. The ferry leaves Nantucket’s wharf and drops passengers off at Oak Bluffs, a town in Martha’s Vineyard.

You can still use the Hy-Line Cruises inter-island ferry to get to Nantucket from Martha’s Vineyard. For this route, the ferry leaves Oak Bluffs and later docks at 33 Straight Wharf.

Major Differences Between Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard

The most significant difference between Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard is that the former is smaller (about 14 miles long) and mostly flat, while the latter is larger (about 25 miles long) and has a few hills. So, it will take you longer to travel across Martha’s Vineyard.

Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard border the Sound, a triangular sea area. But their geography and architecture are different.

In particular, since Nantucket is flat, you can see most of its attractions from the road. The highest point on the island is Sankaty Head (home of one of the island’s three lighthouses). At the island’s eastern end lies Siasconset, a small village featuring former fishing cottages covered in roses.

Thanks to the strict building codes set by the Nantucket Historical Association, most buildings feature only a few paint colors.

On the other hand, Martha’s Vineyard is characterized by rolling hills and high cliffs. It is also home to about six towns with rich histories and different personalities. Its popular towns include Oak Bluffs (known for multicolored gingerbread Victorians) and Tisbury (featuring a great natural harbor). Others include Edgartown (comprising Chappaquiddick island) and Aquinnah (boasts colorful cliffs)

Which is More Expensive: Nantucket Or Martha’s Vineyard?

The high cost of living on both islands is brought on by pricey real estate and the high cost of commodities in most shops, restaurants, and hotels. However, Martha’s Vineyard offers a wider variety of restaurants and accommodations for budget-oriented travelers due to its sheer size.

Nantucket has the most expensive boutiques (for high-end shoppers) and hotel stays. Despite the costs, it features some of the comfiest vacation rentals. They are suitable for vacationers looking for a homey feel and privacy in their accommodation options.

Regarding restaurants, both islands have various dining or takeout options at different price points. They also accommodate solo and group travelers looking to have a memorable vacation or day trip experience.

How Do Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Compare in Terms of Beaches?

The beaches on both islands are the main attractions. Nantucket has 80 miles of shoreline, while Martha’s Vineyard has 125 miles of shoreline.

They both feature calm waters for families and children and challenging waters for experienced surfers. And since lifeguards are only present in a few of them, always research the beach before heading out for safety reasons.

All of Nantucket’s beaches are open to the public,  whereas on Martha’s Vineyard, there are several private beaches. Most of the beaches in Martha’s Vineyard require visitors to have parking permits. So, researching access to these attractions is crucial before booking your next trip or vacation.

Surfside Beach and Madaket Beach are among the stunning beaches in Nantucket. On the other hand, South Beach (or Katama Beach) is among the most beautiful beaches in Martha’s Vineyard. Instead of using these picturesque beaches to differentiate them, look at their accessibility and recreational or vacation opportunities.

Is There More to Do on Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard?

Since Martha’s Vineyard is quite bigger than the island of Nantucket, there’s definitely more ground to cover there. However, the size of these two islands has little to do with what visitors or vacationers can do.

Nantucket has a charming feel that you may never get enough of, even when you walk around all day. On the other hand, the beautiful towns in Martha’s Vineyard are all quaint and take a little bit longer to explore. Both have different things to offer and many recreational opportunities that make up a memorable trip or vacation.

Nantucket is the best place to visit for a more relaxed, nostalgic vibe. To blend in easily, you can don Nantucket Reds (typical clothing on the island). They feature a weathered look that can be paired with an elegant collared buttoned-down shirt.

For the social scene, Nantucket is a magnet for country-club goers and industry captains. In contrast, Flip-flops and shorts are a mainstay on Martha’s Vineyard. The style and fashion rules here are less strict (think chic and understated).

The only vineyard you’ll encounter on Martha’s Vineyard is Vineyard Vines. It is a popular preppy line of accessories and clothing.

Regardless of the vibe, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are popular with Hollywood types and politicians.

What’s a Day Trip to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Like?

The island of Nantucket is the best destination for a day trip when compared to Martha’s Vineyard. But this shouldn’t stop you from making a day trip to the popular Martha’s Vineyard.

When you arrive to Nantucket via ferry you will dock downtown, where all of the restaurants and shops are. You will also be within walking distance of the island’s stunning beaches. Since Martha’s Vineyard is pretty spread out, you will not be able to see as much on a day trip.

Either way, as you plan a day trip to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, you need to decide how best you’ll use your time. Here’s how the two islands compare when it comes to making a day trip:

A Day Trip to Nantucket

Arriving via ferry will put you in downtown so you can easily explore shops and restaurants. Other attractions that lie within walking distance of the main town include the following:

• Plenty of historic houses, including Hadwen House (1846), Thomas Macy House (1800), Greater Light (1790), and historic streets
• The Whaling Museum (offering an opportunity to learn about Nantucket’s history)
• Brant Point Lighthouse (perfect place to take photos and enjoy the view of incoming boats)
• Children’s Beach (between 5 and 7 minutes away from town on foot) and Steps Beach (a 1-mile walk from town)

Making a day trip without even leaving the downtown of Nantucket is a great way to enjoy the authentic Nantucket experience without feeling rushed. You can rent a moped or bike or hop on the Nantucket Wave Shuttle to reach other attractions on the island.

A Day Trip to Martha’s Vineyard

Renting a car for the day can make a day trip to the towns in Martha’s Vineyard easier. Walking won’t be a good idea since these towns are spread out.

Most of the ferries headed to Martha’s Vineyard drop passengers off in Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, or Oaks Bluffs. These towns are fifteen to 20 minutes apart from one another.

However, since they are quite small, you’ll have to visit more than one of them during your leisurely day trip. Alternatively, you can spend half your day in one town and the rest of the day at a picturesque beach nearby.

All in all, a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard requires a car rental. However, with this option, you’ll have to deal with parking. It may be quite challenging to park your vehicle (or rental car) if you visit the island during peak seasons. Thus, you may also have to budget for a cab or a bus to take you between the towns. While it may seem doable, it’s not as easy and relieving as a day trip to Nantucket.

The top things to see and do on the island on a day trip include the following:

• Lobsterville Beach (for a tranquil floating, fishing, or snorkeling experience)
• Long Point Wildlife Refuge (for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers)
• Lighthouse Beach (for a twilight picnic, amazing sunrise, or a scenic selfie)
• Gingerbread Houses of Oak Bluffs (for fairytale-like scenic views)
• Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse (great place to sit and relax and watch as the boats go by)

Besides exploring the island alone, you can sign up for a guided day tour. This way, you get to see some of the major attractions in Martha’s Vineyard in just three hours. The attractions include Oak Bluffs, Aquinnah Cliffs, and Edgartown.

Once the three-hour guided tour is over, you can spend the remaining time exploring Martha’s Vineyard on your own. What you do with the remaining time will depend on your travel preferences.

Final Thoughts

Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard boast charming villages, pristine scenic views, and sun-soaked beaches. These attractions make for a thrilling island vacation in the New England region. Besides being separated by 30 miles of water, certain elements make them different. Knowing these differences can help you decide which is best for your next trip or vacation. The above information will help you make a perfect choice.