Discover Chappaquiddick

Chappaquiddick Island is one of the most beautiful and remote areas of Martha’s Vineyard. The name Chappaquiddick originates from an Indian word “cheppiaquidne” which means “Separate Island.”  Accessible only by ferry, Chappaquiddick is a quick journey across Edgartown Harbor and well worth the trip!

The One Time Ferry, which runs all year long, is the only way cars can access the Island.  The ferry provides transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. On a sunny August day do not be surprised to see long lines of beachgoers who have already caught on to the beautiful beaches located on Chappaquiddick!

The colorful cabanas at the privately owned Chappaquiddick beach club will greet you when you first get off the ferry.

The Trustee’s of the Reservation run the majority of the beaches located on Chappaquiddick.  You will have to pay a fee to enjoy these beaches, but trust me it is well worth it! Wasque Point is a great place to enjoy ponds, the ocean and Katama Bay.

Mytoi, a Japanese garden located on Chappaquiddick is another highlight of the island.  It’s a great place for reflection and mediation. Set among beautiful trees, bushes, and flowers it offers a totally unique experience. Also run by the Trustee’s this garden is free to enjoy.

Chappaquiddick is definitely a place to explore during your stay on Martha’s Vineyard. There are many vacation homes also located on Chappaquiddick that provide you with the same amenities as other vacation homes located on Martha’s Vineyard If your looking to experience a true “getaway” Chappaquiddick may be just what your looking for!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Chappaquiddick Retreat

Enjoy ocean and Edgartown Harbor views from this 4 bedroom 3 bathroom Chappaquiddick contemporary. Offering many amenities including an outdoor shower and air conditioning this home is sure to please every member in your family.

The open living, dining, and kitchen area’s contribute to the warm and casual tone  of the home.  Located only a short distance from the Chappy ferry this is the perfect  location for first timers and seasoned visitors alike.

Chappaquiddick epitomizes the true meaning of a Martha’s Vineyard getaway. This property not only offers beautiful water views from the deck but also provides private beach access. So, if you are looking to really escape this summer, this Chappy rental may be exactly what you are looking for!

Please contact me if you are interested in this property or any other of our listings on Chappaquiddick.

Take A Ride Over To Chappaquiddick

Hop on the On Time Ferry and take the journey across Edgartown Harbor to Chappaquiddick. Learn all you need to know about the ferry and also tour one of the fabulous rental homes located on Chappy.

Please contact me for more information on this ultimate escape and Chappaquiddick rental properties!

Photo Courtesy of: Jeff Nickerson

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Chappaquiddick Cottage

If there is a quintessential Martha’s Vineyard beach cottage, this is it. If you aren’t familiar with Chappaquiddick, it’s a small island off the eastern tip of the Vineyard and part of Edgartown – though the residents of ‘Chappy’ consider themselves to be their own little island and village. And, now on to the perks of this fantastic cottage:

• Like so many Vineyard houses, the cedar shake shingles on this cottage become one with the sand, sun and air. As such, this cottage doesn’t disrupt then incredible views, it really becomes part of the scenery. With the windows open, and the breeze floating through, you get the feeling that you’re living right on the beach. And luckily, it’s only 300 feet away from your door!

• Still – this cozy cottage doesn’t leave you with only the bare essentials. It boasts a beautiful, fully equipped and modern kitchen, beautiful living room, a master bedroom with a queen sized bed and a ‘dormer’ with two bunk beds.

• Don’t forget about deck time! This Chappy cottage offers both a screened in porch so that you can enjoy the beach air without the sun and an open-air deck perfect for barbecues. And the views! Oh…the views. Water and sky as far as they eye can see around this charming slice of heaven!

If you’re interested in this Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental, please contact me! If you had something else in mind, I’d be happy to help you with that too.

April Stands for Osprey on Martha’s Vineyard

Spring, April and the Ospreys are just around the corner – and we’re ready for them. Every year at this time, Felix Neck Sanctuary holds the Osprey Festival. Besides a craft tent, guided walks, live raptor demonstrations and live music, the main stage is really held by the Osprey. Everything at the festival is pointed towards learning about this incredible bird.

The Osprey, also known as the sea hawk, is a bird of prey or raptor. It’s quite large reaching 24 inches in length with a 6 foot wingspan! It’s also quite recognizable with a brown and white feathers patterned on its body and yellow eyes; most distinctive are its black eye patch and wings.

The Osprey loves the Vineyard because its diet consists of fish, fish and more fish. They are expert hunters and have the beaks and talons to prove it – they’re sharp, dangerous and adept at capturing, killing and eating their prey.

The Festival will be on April 4th, Saturday and starts at 11 am at Felix Neck.

These incredible photos came to me courtesy of Vineyard Photographer and Avian Artist, Lanny McDowell.

Ten Must Do’s During Your Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Week

A week on Martha’s Vineyard can pass in the blink of an eye.  There is so much beautiful scenery and so many activities you could fill many weeks with great experiences.  Here are a few that you should consider.  Even if you just want to lounge at the beach, take some time to travel to various beaches and enjoy the sites along the way!

1. Chilmark Chocolates
2. Aquinnah Shops
3. Menemsha Sunset w/ Lobsters on the Beach
4. State Beach bridge jumping
5. Kayak with the Trustees – Cape Pogue (chappaquiddick)
6. Tour a Lighthouse
7. Shop for fresh veggies at Morning Glory Farm or West Tisbury Farmers Market
8. Walk on the beach and then Ice Cream in town one or more evening(s)
9. Carousel in Oak Bluffs, even if you don’t have kids, take a ride!
10. Biking from town to town

Hope to see you out there next season!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Chappaquiddick

Wile away the summer days on the island of Chappaquiddick.  It is a special place with many unique characteristics. This house offers what we like to call “Chappy Charm” with many updated amenities.  The views across the meadow and out to the marsh and ocean make this the perfect picture of serenity.

This house and guest house not only offer great proximity to the highly desirable south shore beaches at Wasque but also a mooring for your boat near the Chappy ferry.  Enjoy beautiful summer days and nights with the ocean breezes and lovely sunsets right from the deck and screened porches on this property.

The master suite on the upper level with an enhanced view out to the sea also has a cat walk to a screened gazebo style porch making this a lovely romantic getaway.  There’s not much more you could ask for in a Chappy rental!

For more information please contact Anne Mayhew at annemayhew@gmail.com

When Should You Book Your Vineyard Vacation?

On Martha’s Vineyard, we begin booking rental homes for the following season before the current one ends!  Many families decide they like coming to the island every year for a least one week.  If they like the rental property they are staying in, and know they will be back, it makes sense for them to commit to the same house while they are here.

Rental home bookings continue through the fall and right up until the beginning of the season.  Critical things to consider when trying to decide when to book your vacation home:

• Most owners know whether their repeat tenants are coming back by the end of September.  If you are a new tenant or looking to change houses it may be difficult to get a commitment prior to that.
• Steamship Authority (vehicle ferry) opens up ticket sales for the summer months around mid January.  Tickets sell out quickly for the weekend turnover days during the season.
• January is a strong booking month because of the ferry ticket sales and many popular houses will book up quickly.
• Rental homes are listed through out the season, to a certain degree, making last minutes bookings a strong possibility.

All in all, you should consider booking your Martha’s Vineyard vacation home ahead of time, especially, if you have specific criteria, price and dates in mind.  If you can be somewhat flexible, any time is a good time!  We have a house for you with over 500 listings in our inventory.

Chappaquiddick Exclusive: Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental

I get excited about all of my rentals because every property on Martha’s Vineyard offers something unique and surprising. But, sometimes I list houses that truly blow me away – this is definitely one of those houses. Note: this house is available for 1-2 weeks this August 2008 only!

When you arrive at this Chappy compound, you will not want to leave – and you won’t have to because everything you need is right there. Made for big groups and surrounded by fields and ocean, it’s the ultimate getaway.

Magnitude. Perfect for entertaining or for bringing the whole family, the property includes a charming guest house, and in total offers 6 bedrooms, 3 kitchens and 6.5 bathrooms, housing up to 12 people. Set on 20 acres, this Chappy property offers total privacy and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Amusement. Pool, tennis court, pristine Chappy beaches nearby, Master Suite & kitchen that open on to covered patios, porches & decks surrounding the house, a private 6 hole golf course next door and 20 secluded acres to explore…need I say more?

Habitation. The house is newly remodeled and includes a family room, study and a bow window perfect for reading and relaxing. This space invites a full house and pure festivity, while offering quiet places for Vineyard escape and serenity.

For more pictures, details or rental inquiries, email me at annemayhew@gmail.com or call 508-627-6070 x27.

Where to Shop for Food on Martha’s Vineyard

As you plan your vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, your mind is, most likely, already lying on the beach – probably not shopping at the grocery store. But one of the greatest benefits of renting a house on the island is that you don’t have to dine out for all of your meals or rely on hotel restaurant hours. Your house comes equipped with a complete kitchen – so you can eat your lobsters whenever you like.

Here’s where to shop for groceries:

Down Island
Stop and Shop (Vineyard Haven and Edgartown)
Two convenient locations for this good old, standard supermarket, includes a large organic/natural section and features competitive prices.

Cronig’s Market (Vineyard Haven)
A Vineyard landmark with everything you need. Cronig’s has a great organic/natural section, supports the Island Grown Initiative (Buy Local!) and carries many local items – food and body care. Healthy Additions, found in a separate building to the left of the main store, is stocked with natural snacks, health and beauty products.

Reliable Market (Oak Bluffs)
Classic family store in its 3rd generation, known for its great meat and fantastic butcher and conveniently located in the heart of Oak Bluffs on Circuit Ave.

Katama General Store (Edgartown)
A perfect stop on the way to the beach with groceries, a deli and even catering services.

The Chappy Store (Chappaquiddick)
Right on the main road, about 2 miles from the ferry. Just the basics and sandwiches for the beach.

Up Island
Up Island Cronig’s (West Tisbury)
Smaller version of the Vineyard Haven store conveniently located in West Tisbury – perfect for up-island renters who choose to stay on the quiet side of the island. Up Island Cronig’s has everything you need.

Fiddlehead Farm (West Tisbury)
Great produce, much of it organic, and tasty specialty items with a european flare like crackers, cheeses, sausages and sauces.

Alley’s General Store (West Tisbury)
Right in the heart of town, basic groceries plus all the old-fashioned general store amenities and charm including toys, games and beach fare.

West Tisbury Farmer’s Market (West Tisbury)
Not a ‘store’ in the classic sense, but offering an incredible spread of island grown produce, meats, baked goods, infamous vietnamese springrolls, medicinals and crafts every Saturday and Wednesday all summer. Don’t miss it!

The Chilmark Store (Chilmark)
Staple groceries and goods attached to an island-renowned pizzeria and deli. Pull up a rocker on the front porch and watch life at Beetlebung Corner float by.

Menemsha Market (Menemsha)
Small, quaint and full of little treasures, just like Menemsha. Goods for the beach and books for kids included. Perfect for the groceries and pie when you are all the way up-island.

Tea Lane Caterers & The Phantom Chef (Chilmark)
If you don’t feel like cooking, don’t have time to get to the market or you’re planning a party, call Chef Dee Smith, the Phantom Chef. The food is amazing and the gourmet drop-off meal service is the perfect compliment to your Vineyard vacation.