Martha's Vineyard
has much to offer the yachting enthusiast. This 23 mile-long island, near the shoulder of Cape Cod, is a stretch of sandy beaches, forests, ponds and small communities with carefully preserved homes and country inns. Towns are situated close to the harbors and marinas so visitors can easily walk to a variety of shops, restaurants and other services. Edgartown, the largest resort town on Martha’s Vineyard, dating from 1642, has rows of stately white Greek revival homes built by whaling captains, and looks like a prosperous seaport village of an earlier era. It boomed during the 19th-century whaling days and became one of the world’s great yachting centers during the 20th century. Martha’s Vineyard is accustomed to greeting visitors who arrive by sea, and many towns offer mooring, marinas, launch facilities and fuel services. While exploring the area, keep in mind the references to “Up Island,” and “Down Island.” The terms have maritime roots, and when a vessel travels down its longitude, it is heading east, and when it is travelling up its longitude, it is heading west. Sightseeing along Martha’s Vineyard includes salt sea marshes, secluded beaches and picturesque yacht harbors. The island is home to lobstermen, fishermen, and many writers and artists who love the sea, sand, wind and privacy. Enjoy the beaches and whale watching; visit the Gay Head Cliffs, a series of multi-colored clay cliffs in strange formations that spill down to the sea, or take sightseeing trips around nearby Nantucket Island and up to Cape Cod National Seashore.
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