There is magic in Menemsha, the impossibly picturesque harbor tucked into the western corner of Martha’s Vineyard. The village, part of the town of Chilmark, seems a world away from the more bustling island ports of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown—and fans of the place are happy to keep it that way!

The Coast Guard Station.

A thriving fishing village from the late 1600’s through the 1970’s, Menemsha still hosts a small fleet of commercial boats. And it also serves as the home of Coast Guard Station Menemsha, whose historic boathouse and pier was destroyed by a fire in 2010, but has since been replaced.

Menemsha was once famous for its landings of harpoon-caught swordfish, which could be found in relative abundance in the nearshore waters just south of the Vineyard. Sadly, such catches are no more, but a statue near the harbor entrance commemorates the harpoon swordfishery and its fishermen.

The Menemsha of today still exudes the no-frills atmosphere of a working port (it was used extensively as a setting in the filming of Jaws), and is the perfect place for independent boaters seeking respite from the island’s more frenetic harbors. Protected Menemsha Pond—accessible via the eponymous shallow creek—is a wonderful spot to explore in a kayak or dinghy. Do not try to reach the pond in any vessel drawing more than two feet, however.

The harbor basin is confined, yet can accommodate surprisingly large vessels. Anchoring inside the basin is prohibited, but the town reserves several slips and two guest moorings for transient vessels up to 40 feet, available on a first-come, first-served basis, via the harbormaster’s office. Good holding ground and additional public moorings are maintained for larger vessels outside the harbor in Menemsha Bight. This area is exposed to winds from the north and west, but offers good holding ground and makes for an ideal anchorage in prevailing summer southwesterlies.

Tidy shingled cottages line the upper reaches of Menemsha Harbor.

As mentioned, the delights of Menemsha are mostly of the laidback kind. Depending on the size of your vessel, day-trippers may be able to tie up for a short time along the bulkhead near the fuel dock, but check with the harbormaster first. Once secured, visitors can enjoy chowder, steamers, clam cakes or a lobster roll at nearby Larsen’s Fish Market, or some grilled fare, fries, and ice cream at the nearby Menemsha Galley. For more upscale dining, consider reservations at the Homeport or the Beach Plum Inn.

A short stroll also brings you to several interesting shops and boutiques, including Menemsha Blues, Pandora’s Box, and Copperworks, which sells exquisite weathervanes, lamps, home furnishings, and other items made from copper.

If you have a bike or two aboard, pedal to Aquinnah to see the famous Gay Head lighthouse and visit the small shops and eateries there. The view from the high clay bluffs is spectacular, and on a clear day you can see the entire Elizabeth Islands chain, as well as Nomans Island.

But don’t take our word for it. Visit Menemsha yourself and discover one of New England’s best-kept boating secret!