Martha’s Vineyard is known for its beaches, from Squibnocket with its crashing waves to Lambert’s Cove with its quiet waters. But Aquinnah, which translates to “land under the hill” in Wampanoag, has cliffs along the shoreline that change shape and color as time passes. Standing on the gray wooden staircase overlooking the Aquinnah cliffs, looking out into the endless Atlantic Ocean, feels like standing at the edge of the earth. Waves crash softly into the sandy shoreline below rugged, mossy cliffs with shades of red, tan and yellow, depending on how the sun hits. “The coastline up there is very dramatic,” says Win Baker, vice president of operations at Point 5 Realty in Edgartown. “They have the colorful cliffs, and that’s the only place that looks like that.”
Aquinnah is the most remote town on the entire island. It’s hard to get to. Driving there from Oak Bluffs takes 35 minutes, and it’s half an hour from Edgartown. But those who venture or live there can enjoy complete and total solitude. “It’s a very specific people that like that because it’s not very convenient,” says Baker. “It’s much quieter.” Roads are windy and hilly, and the landscape includes ocean, cliff and countryside views. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis owned 340 acres in Aquinnah called Red Gate Farm; it was sold to Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, which preserves the island’s rural character through land acquisition. Two percent of every home sale on the island goes toward funding the land bank.
The stunning cliffs of Aquinnah draw visitors from around the world every year.
The relenting Atlantic Ocean slowly eroded the Aquinnah cliffs every day.
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Wampanoag heritage
More than 500 acres of undeveloped land in Aquinnah belongs to the Wampanoag tribe, the island’s first inhabitants. Naturally occurring cranberry bogs, a natural herring run and the brick Gay Head lighthouse all sit on Wampanoag land. Cranberries are particularly important to the tribe. Members gather for Cranberry Day, where they harvest and feast on the bitter fruit each October. Kids in Aquinnah Wampanoag families are excused from school to participate. Members of the tribe fish and farm in Aquinnah to this day.
The land of Aquinnah is sacred to the Wampanoag tribe.
Shop for hand-made American Indian jewelry at Stony Creek Gifts in Aquinnah.
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Houses in rural neighborhoods on acres of land with beach pathways
Houses in Aquinnah are large and secluded, and many have water views. Post-and-beam style houses sit behind wood fences and tall trees, and contemporary, gray-shingled homes sit at the end of private dirt roads. Some houses on Menemsha and Squibnocket ponds have docks, and oceanfront homes have private pathways to the beach. “Squibnocket Pond is a very exclusive area,” says Baker. People tend to buy in Aquinnah and stay there. “If there are five sales in Aquinnah in a year, you’ve had a busy year,” he says. The average home value is $2.5 million, and the property tax rate is $6.40, the second-highest of the six island towns.
A row of beach cottages sits along Lobsterville Rd in Aquinnah.
Grey shingle homes with white trim are very popular in Aquinnah
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Gorgeous cliffs and Atlantic Ocean beaches
The big draw to Aquinnah is its majestic clay cliffs. They’re the reason visitors drive to the western edge of the island. The cliffs stand about 100 ft. tall, overlooking the ocean. They are sacred to the Wampanoag, who believe Moshup, a giant who shaped the entire island, made them. The red hue on the cliffs comes from the blood of the whales he hunted, according to Wampanoag lore.
On Wampanoag land is Lobsterville Beach, a two-mile sandy stretch popular with fishermen. It’s a public beach, but parking is limited, and the surf is still as it sits on the Vineyard Sound. At the westernmost point of the island is Moshup Beach, another public area where locals can relax on the beach and enjoy cliff views.
The views of the Aquinnah cliffs are jaw-dropping.
Lobesterville beach is one of the best places to fish in Aquinnah
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Be sure to stop and say hello to the shop keepers by the Aquinnah Cliffs.
Tiny shops and lobster and clam shacks
Near the public viewing spot for the cliffs is a small village of one-story gray houses. Here, people can grab clam chowder, a lobster roll or ice cream from Cliffhangers during the summer season and buy jewelry and T-shirts from Bowen’s Arrow. From there, they can walk up a brick pathway and follow signs that say “to the cliffs” to an elevated overlook spot. Aquinnah has a tiny public library inside a red cottage, open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It sits across the street from the town hall and the Aquinnah Police Department.
Get some food at Cliffhangers before taking in the stunning views at the Aquinnah.
Young kids go to school in nearby Chilmark
Aquinnah is the only Vineyard town without an elementary school. Kids there generally attend prekindergarten through fifth grade at the Chilmark School, grades 6-8 at West Tisbury School and 9-12 at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs. Chilmark School has a B-plus rating from Niche and is known for its multi-age approach to education. Kindergarten and first grade are combined, as are grades 2-3 and 4-5. West Tisbury School is rated B by Niche, and the high school is rated B-plus.
Dense ocean fog dissipates as it makes land fall in Aquinnah.
30-minute drive to Vineyard Haven ferry
A car is essential to getting in and out of Aquinnah. It’s a 30-minute drive to Vineyard Haven, home of the year-round ferry, and Martha’s Vineyard Airport is 25 minutes away. The airport offers seasonal service via JetBlue, American Airlines and Delta and year-round service on Cape Air.
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This beautifully designed and built home is privately sited on 12.23 acres overlooking a pastoral setting with amazing ocean views and bordered by stone walls. The spacious entry hall steps into a formal living and dining room with oversized windows that take in the amazing North Shore ocean views, tall ceilings, a field stone fireplace and concrete floors heated by radiant heat. French doors
Private Atlantic Ocean beach lot located on the serene coastline of Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard. This exceptional beach lot offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of prime oceanfront. Located just off of Moshup Trail is private gated access to your own designated parking area. From there, a picturesque boardwalk meanders through native flora and opens onto a sandy path leading directly to the
Alyssa HaliskyWallace & Co. Sotheby's International Realty
THIS PROPERTY IS A WEEKLY RENTAL PROPERTY!! Charming three bedroom cottage set on a hill overlooking a tranquil meadow just 1 & 1/2 miles to Aquinnah Cliffs. Enjoy access to both Philbin and Lobsterville beaches. There is a front and back porch with rocking chairs to take in the landscape and enjoy the breeze. This sunny property is easily accessible as well as peaceful and relaxing. Owner is
THIS PROPERTY IS A WEEKLY RENTAL PROPERTY!! Windy Knoll is a 3BR, 2Bath home located in Aquinnah on a secluded lot off State Road with 160 degree views of the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 1 mile to Philbin Beach similar distance to Moshup Beach and Lobsterville beach. Take the bike ferry over to Menemsha and enjoy sunset on the beach. Outdoor shower with multiple shower heads to wash off the
THIS PROPERTY IS A WEEKLY RENTAL PROPERTY!! Breathtaking water views from this contemporary home located on Menemsha Pond and recently renovated with new kitchen and baths. This four bedroom retreat offers the perfect place to come during the summer months or even enjoy during the shoulder season while sitting by the fire with a warm cup of your favorite hot beverage. PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!!!THIS IS
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
706
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$110,975
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$138,005
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
52.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.9%
% Population in Labor Force
56.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
17/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
