Because it is the end of the season here, it is not that clear how many of the services to get to Marthas Vineyard are operational, or who has closed for the season. We want to see the part of the peninsula we have not yet seen, so drive off in the direction od Falmouth, expecting to find a ferry service there or at Woods Hole ( where the Steamship Company run their year round car ferry from). Our first attempt to catch the Island Queen from Falmouth fails. asa they have closed for the season. We then head to Woods Hole, where there is no problem getting a ferry, but the car park is 4 miles back down a country road.We have no choice but to drive back to the carpark, and get a shuttle bus back to the ferry . we eventually catch the 10.45 am service from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven on Marthas
Vineyard Island.
The ferry is a large car ferry that provides an all year-round service to the community on Marthas Vineyard, and carries a large number of tour buses and private tourists both with and without cars.
We are pleased to see the life rafts come from life raft Systems Australia
Leaving the ferry port at Woods Hole
We can see a lighthouse on the next point on our port side
A couple of passengers are testing out the latest technologies in taking selfies ???
There are a few rocks to avoid in the area
A gull is tracking along side us
Another ferry passes on the return journey
As we approach Vineyard Haven, a kite surfer entertains the crowd
Soon we are docking at Vineyard Haven
Looks like a raft up with a few yachties
A lot of interesting boats here
The Ferry Wharf at Vineyard Haven
Once we have landed, what a pretty place
The most imposing structure as you arrive is the steamship companies ticketing office
Once the ferry docks there is the usual scramble ashore, and everyone is racing towards the bus stop where you can get a day pass on the local bus for $7, which covers most of the island on various predetermined routes. There are only 3 significant settlements on the Island, as far as we can see, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
As we arrive at the bus stop a route 13 bus arrives and is bound for Edgartown, the furthest away from where we are, so we clamber aboard and decide to go there first.
It turned out to be a good decision, as Edgartown is the largest of the towns, with the most to see.
Not sure what the League of Gentlemen is ?
David exploring the waterfront
You could take photos all day here and not be disappointed, but it is time for lunch, so we had a look around to find a suitable place that wasn't full of bus tours, and settled on the Atlantic Restaurant, with water views.
On the way to lunch we passed a fishing charter boat that had just berthed , and had a quick look at their catch, mostly bonito.
One proud fisherman wanted to display his catch
Another was preparing sashimi for lunch
For us, it was the usual crab and lobster for lunch, this time in the form of salads., very nice.
A last walk through town on the way back to the bus stop, there are a few more photo opportunities, and then it is on the bus heading for Oak Bluffs. Edgartown is stunning, and there is a lot to see here.
The Whaling Church at Edgartown
Oak Bluffs is next stop, and it is on the way back to Vineyard Haven where we disembarked. It is a much smaller place, and a major ferry terminal. However, that the fact that the season is over is stark in this town. The ferry terminal is closed for the season, many of the businesses in town are shut down, and unlike Edgartown, this place looks like it exists for tourism.
The bus dropped us off just before the ferry terminal
There is a little wooden church at the entrance to the town
Every boat name tells a story
Our return ferry to Woods Hole leaves at 3.45 pm, and it is now approaching 3pm so we hop on the bus back to Vineyard Haven, which is only 10 minutes away, so we can have a quick look around their before embarking.
Like Oak Bluffs, much of Vineyard haven has closed or is in a state of closing down for the season. It is also a relatively small place, but the main ferry terminal for the island on a year round basis.
We have about 30 minutes to look around, which seems more than enough.
Our ferry is arriving as we get off the bus
At 3.45pm we are back on board ready for our trip back to Woods Hole, after a great day on Marthas Vineyard.
Looks like we have a seagull coming along for a free ride
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