Whether you’re a seasoned Islander, or a first-time visitor to Martha’s Vineyard, it’s important to step off the beaten path every once in a while. These five unique Vineyard experiences will have you tasting, experiencing, and exploring diverse and distinctive offerings making for a truly unforgettable Martha’s Vineyard vacation or staycation!

Signature Oyster Farm Tour. Get an authentic account of Martha’s Vineyard history while enjoying an unlimited amount of some of the freshest oysters the Island has to offer when taking the Signature Oyster Farm Tour. Enjoy an afternoon out on the tranquil waters of Katama Bay, experience the area’s varied wildlife, and learn about oyster farming from a coast guard licensed captain with over 15 years of experience.

Signature Oyster Farm works year-round to create the best shaped, easiest to open, and tastiest oysters available. In the busy summer season its tours are the only way to get a taste of these delicious bi-valves and the experience does not disappoint. Not only will you get to enjoy the oysters, you’ll be treated to a ride aboard the Farm’s custom built tour boat and might even get a chance to hand-feed the its pet striped bass ~ even fish love Signature Oyster Farm oysters!

Tours are one and a half hours, are BYOB and are offered for groups up to six from May through September.

Chappaquiddick Wood Company Bowl Turning Demo. Spend an afternoon on the peaceful island of Chappaquiddick and experience all that Chappaquiddick Wood Company has to offer! Tour one of the Island’s oldest standing properties, Whale Jaw Farm, once famous for its entrance demarcated by giant whale jaw bones. Meet local creative and craftsman Zach Pinerio, who guides you and your group through a wood-turning demonstration that showcases the process of transforming  roughly milled blanks on the lathe into beautiful hand-crafted bowls.

This custom tour ends in the gift shop, where you can find beautiful bowls, boards, and coasters available for purchase. All of Chappaquiddick Wood Company’s products are crafted from trees harvested across the Island of Martha’s Vineyard, When you leave the studio you truly can take a piece of Martha’s Vineyard home with you to enjoy for years to come!

MV Sharks Baseball Game. Show some spirit for the Martha’s Vineyard’s collegiate summer baseball team, the MV Sharks! Sport lovers and families can indulge in a true American pastime while cheering on the MV Sharks at the Vineyard Baseball Park, otherwise known as “The Shark Tank” in Oak Bluffs.

Enjoy traditional game day eats as well as the occasional El Gato Grande taco truck. Treat yourself to a Mad Martha’s sundae in the stands. New this year is the Offshore Ale beer garden where you can sip on award-winning brews while taking in the game day action.

Tickets are available at an affordable price, and children under the age of 13 get in for free!

Cape Poge Lighthouse Tour. Escape the crowds and experience the natural beauty of the Island of Chappaquiddick (home to almost 1,000 acres of preserved land.) when booking a Cape Poge Lighthouse Tour! Open to all ages, this over-sand vehicle tour will take you to some of the most remote parts of the Island, with unforgettable views of Cape Poge Bay and Nantucket Sound.

Trek through several miles along the beach, bay, and sandy dunes, while learning all about Chappaquiddick's unique history, plants, and wildlife. The tour brings you to the wooden Cape Poge Lighthouse, first built in 1801 to help guide ships through the shallow waters of Muskeget Channel into Edgartown Harbor. The tour concludes with a climb to the top of the lighthouse, where you can experience breathtaking views that are unlike any other Vineyard experience.

 MV Film Festival Drive-In. Looking for a fun night out with the whole family? You don’t even have to break the bank! The Vineyard’s Drive-In at the YMCA is a pay-what-you-can event that runs on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. This year, view classics such as JAWS, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park, alongside newer family-friendly films like Soul, Encanto, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own drinks, snacks, and meals, however, the Food Truck located at the MV Ice Rink will also be open most nights serving sandwiches, salads, drinks, and popcorn. Make sure to put your order in early - the Food Truck stops taking orders 30 minutes before the film begins! Check out the drive-in’s 2022 lineup here.

Kayak Glow Tour. If you’re on the hunt for a truly spectacular experience during your stay on Martha’s Vineyard, the Kayak Glow Tours guided by Island Spirit Kayak are a great way to spend a summer evening, whether solo, with friends, or the whole family. Open to kayakers with any level of experience and anyone above the age of six, this unique opportunity starts at sunset at Little Bridge in Oak Bluffs.

Participants may choose between a solo or double kayak which features a glass bottom and lights on the sides, enabling kayakers to observe wildlife beneath the boat and experience aquatic life in a unique and exciting way. This will surely be a highlight of your next trip to Martha’s Vineyard!

No matter how you spend your days and nights on Martha’s Vineyard your time here is sure to be magical. No matter the season, no matter the reason, no matter your budget - there's a Vineyard experience awaiting you!