Martha’s Vineyard, an island 7 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, has been a popular summer destination for years. The island, which sees as many as 200,000 people each summer, is known for its beautiful scenery and selection of mom-and-pop shops.
Many visitors have made Martha’s Vineyard their summertime escape, building homes ranging from cozy cottages to multimillion-dollar estates. Several celebrities, including James Taylor, Carly Simon, and the Obamas, have even owned properties on the island.
I spent $79 on a round-trip ferry ticket from New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the island to attend the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival.
I’d taken the ferry a few years ago, but it was a little different than I remembered — here’s what the experience was like.
I purchased a round-trip ticket from New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard.
The day before my departure, I purchased a $79 ferry ticket from Seastreak. Passengers can also purchase walk-up tickets, but the ferry can sell out, so I recommend buying them in advance.
When I arrived, I headed inside the terminal.
My husband dropped me off at Seastreak’s New Bedford terminal, which had a welcoming area with a ticket counter and a sign directing passengers to the docks.
I waited for my ferry on the pier and when it was time to board, the process was easy.
Like most folks, I lined up under the covered waiting area on the pier. When I boarded the ferry, a staff member scanned my digital ticket.
I chose a seat near the snack bar.
The exact vessel Seastreak uses to transport passengers from New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard varies depending on the time of year.
Seastreak ferries used during the peak season — usually the Martha’s Vineyard Express or the Whaling City Express — have a 149-passenger capacity, so it can get pretty crowded.
The ferry I took offered four-person seating nooks with tables on the enclosed lower deck, and seats were claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. Most of the single seats on the ferry were arranged similarly to those in an airplane cabin.
I claimed a seat in the main cabin just a few rows from the snack bar. Fortunately, the ferry was only about half full, so there was plenty of room. Once I got settled, I went to the ferry’s top deck to take in the views.
The ferry had lots of amenities for a comfortable ride.
Next, I headed to the snack bar, where I saw chips, pastries, snack bars, nuts, and other prepackaged goodies. I got a coffee but noticed some passengers ordering bloody marys and mimosas at a full-service cash bar.
Travelers can also bring their own food aboard, so I saw a handful of people with soft coolers.
The restrooms were clean and spacious, and moving around the boat was easy if I wanted to get fresh air outside — though there were whipping winds when we were cruising.
The ride was smoother and quicker than I remembered.
I had to get some work done, so I returned to my seat, pulled down the tray table, and comfortably situated my laptop on top.
Before I knew it, I heard an announcement that we were preparing to dock in Oak Bluffs, a town in Martha’s Vineyard. As we approached, I packed my belongings and went outside to see the Vineyard’s stunning coastline.
Disembarking was organized, quick, and easy.
Docking at the Seastreak ferry terminal at Oak Bluffs was smooth and orderly. An announcement prompted passengers to prepare to disembark, and the whole process took only five minutes.
Taking the ferry was super easy, and I’ll definitely do it again.
Taking the Seastreak ferry was the quickest, cheapest option for me to get to Martha’s Vineyard. Its flexible schedule, affordable fares, and no-hassle ticketing made my experience stress-free.
The $79 trip was well worth the breezy experience, and it inspired me to return on a same-day trip. It was well worth the price to feel a world away, even if it was just a few miles from mainland Massachusetts.
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