When To Visit

One of the first decisions to make about your trip to Martha’s Vineyard is when you want to visit - and the answer depends on what you’re looking for.

Most Islanders will be quick to let you know that August is the busiest month of the year, but July isn’t exactly slow either. June and September are less crowded, but you might run into trouble booking rooms since both are popular months for Island weddings. Be sure to book in advance during any of these months.

From October to May you can enjoy off-season rates at many places, but also keep in mind that many businesses will be closed during these months. Edgartown has the most dramatic shift between winter’s closed doors and summer’s bustle, while Vineyard Haven is the winter hub of the Island with most businesses staying open year-round.
Weather

The Vineyard's coastal location tends to keep the Island a little cooler than the mainland in the summer and warmer in the winter. It snows occasionally, but we usually miss the big winter storms that hit the rest of New England.

Here are the monthly highs, lows, and precipitation records:

January: High - 37F, Low - 22F, 3.92 inches precipitation
February: High - 39F, Low - 24F, 3.30 inches precipitation
March: High - 46F, Low - 32F, 3.85 inches precipitation
April: High - 56F, Low - 40F, 3.60 inches precipitation
May: High - 67F, Low - 50F, 3.24 inches precipitation
June: High - 77F, Low - 59F, 3.22 inches precipitation
July: High - 82F, Low - 66F, 3.06 inches precipitation
August: High - 80F, Low - 65F, 3.37 inches precipitation
September: High - 73F, Low - 57F, 3.47 inches precipitation
October: High - 62F, Low - 46F, 3.79 inches precipitation
November: High - 52F, Low - 38F, 3.98 inches precipitation
December: High - 43F, Low - 28F, 3.73 inches precipitation

Transportation

Bringing your own car to the Island is useful, but not imperative. The Vineyard Transit Authority is a great way to get around, or you can have a guided tour of the Island with Martha's Vineyard Sightseeing. If you do decide to bring over your own wheels – remember that you must have a car reservation for the boat in advance. You can book this online through the Steamship Authority.