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Perhaps the best way to explore Martha's Vineyard is by bicycle. Just waiting to be explored are several superb bike paths that transverse the island. The island terrain is not known for its smoothness. The east side of the island is flatter that the west side, which rises well above sea level in some places. The more level bike paths are those connecting Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs, Oak Bluffs to Edgartown and to South Beach, and State Road between North Tisbury and Vineyard Haven. Middle Road in Chilmark has little traffic and is a wonderful country jaunt. If you do enjoy scaling hills, follow the circular trail that begins at the Aquinnah Lighthouse. The views are incredible. There are also several paved bike paths in the Manuel E. Correllus State Forest, off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, and in Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury and Edgartown. Many people bring their own bikes across from the mainland on the ferry, but you can lease bikes and riding equipment at a number of rental shops throughout the island. Beach Road Rentals Martha's Bike Rentals Anderson Bike Rentals DeBettencourt's Bike Shop Edgartown Bicycles R.W. Cutler Bikes / Edgartown Bike
Rentals
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If you get the urge to knock things over, first get out of that expensive antique shop you may be browsing through and then head over to Spinnaker Lanes, State Road, Tisbury, (508) 693-9691, for some candlepin bowling and billiards. It is open year-round, 7 days a week.
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Perhaps one of the most popular recreational activities on the island is fishing, especially in the fall when the Vineyard hosts its annual fishing derby. Swimming along the coastline of the Vineyard are fish just looking to be caught. You don't have to be Quint, or Ahab for that matter, to catch the big one. You just have to be at the right place at the right time with the right equipment. Fishing is superb at any of the beaches, so you'll notice plenty of surf casters. You'll also spot anglers casting their lines over the island's various bridges and stone jetties. Insiders head to the Chappaquiddick shore at Cape Pogue and Wasque and to Lobsterville Beach in Aquinnah to reel in bluefish and bonito. Scup is common in the waters almost everywhere. Cod and striped bass are best caught during the spring and fall; head over to the entrance of Menemsha Harbor to find them. If you're into surf casting, try the beaches at Aquinnah or any beach facing south. Remember, the tides in the Atlantic Ocean can be tricky; for instance, there is an eight-hour difference between high tides at Cape Pogue and Aquinnah. The Vineyard Gazette prints a tide chart each Friday on the Fishing page. Several stores offer fishing rods, tackle, bait, and other equipment. Many stores also offer guide services. Tackle shops and guides also are the best places to find out about local limits on size and numbers of fish you can keep. Here are some of our favorites: Dick's Bait and Tackle Captain Porky's Coop's Bait and Tackle Larry's Tackle Shop Looking for tuna, shark, and white marlin? Consider taking a fishing expedition; you'll find them offered at all of the island's harbors. Here are several of the local tried-and-true charter services. Banjo's Captain Robert Plante, (508) 693-3154, offers half- and full-day charters out of Oak Bluffs. The party boat Skipper, (508) 693-1238, leaves from Oak Bluffs for fluke and scup. Slapshot II's Captain Rob Coab, (508) 627-8087, offers charters out of Edgartown Harbor. Big Eye Charters, (508) 627-3649, offers charters out of Edgartown Harbor. Great Harbor Sport Fishing Charters, (508) 696-8859, leaves from Edgartown Harbor. Flashy Lady Charters, (508) 645-2462, at Menemsha Harbor, offers half- and full-day charters in search of the three Bs (bass, bonito and blues). Conomok, (508) 645-9278, out of Aquinnah, offers half- and full-day charters. Captain Brian Vanderhoop offers spin or fly fishing. Chantey III, (508) 645-2127, out of Aquinnah, goes out after big bass and blues. |
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Every vacation should include a little driving, chipping and putting. To help you out in that area, Martha's Vineyard has two fine public golf courses. Farm Neck Golf Course This challenging 18-hole, par 72 championship course is open from mid-April to mid-December. You may find a few golf balls with the Presidential Seal on them, as this is where President Clinton spent most of his daylight hours while on the island. Simply, Farm Neck is one of the best courses in all New England. Green fees are $90 in season, $60 during the interim season of spring and fall and $40 in the off-season of late-October through March. Call ahead for reservations (though no more than 48 hours in advance). This beautiful course follows Sengekontacket Pond and overlooks the beach. It features a driving range and pro shop with rental equipment. Mink Meadows Mink Meadows is an intimate course with nine holes and great ocean views. In fact, the views are so awesome that you might not be able to keep your eyes on the ball. The facility also has a pro shop and driving range. Green fees are $40 for 9 holes, $60 for 18 holes in season, and $30 and $40 respectfully in the off-season. Island Cove Miniature Golf Course If you're not up to the challenge of a full 6000-plus-yard course, then bring the kiddies over to Island Cove for some family adventure golf. This Vineyard Haven course offers 18 holes and waterfalls to boot. The first nine holes are wheelchair accessible.
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Enjoy the scenery of the island while in the saddle of a horse trotting down a country lane. Scrubby Neck Farm Scrubby Neck Farm, formerly South Shore Stables, is situated on Watcha Pond along the beautiful south side of West Tisbury, where you'll find breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can even take a dawn, sunset, or moonlight ride. Choose from indoor and outdoor rings and a number of scenic paths. Misty Meadows Horse Farm Misty Meadows is a trail farm that is only open during the summer months. It offers family-oriented trail rides in the forest behind the farm. Arrowhead Farm This farm provides lessons, boarding, an outdoor and indoor ring, and offers pony rides. There are beautiful woods to ride in. Arrowhead Farm welcomes visitors and offers a day riding camp during the summer.
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Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena This arena is open for skating, lessons, and hockey games from the beginning of August through mid-April. Public skating costs $4.
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Public tennis courts are available at the following locations to the residents or vacationers of each town. A $10 pass affords you unlimited play on a reservations basis during your stay. Edgartown: Town Courts, Robinson Ave. Oak Bluffs: Town Courts, Niantic Ave. Vineyard Haven: Town Courts, Church St. West Tisbury: Town Courts, Old County Rd. |
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Vineyard Scuba The waters around the Vineyard were unlucky for many an 18th- and 19th-century sailor. With the help of Vineyard Scuba, you can now visit these sunken ships and lost schooners. They offer equipment rentals so you can explore the Vineyard's undersea world. Wind's Up Windsurfers will find the waters around the Vineyard to their liking. Wind's Up offers lessons and rentals of windsurfers, wet suits, body boards, sailboats, surfboards, sea kayaks, and canoes. Ask for a free copy of their brochure listing the best places to catch the wind. Wind's Up is open until Christmas, reopening in March. Brrr, the water must be cold that time of year! Martha's Vineyard Parasailing,
Waterskiing, Jet Skiing Their name tells the whole story. This business
rents jet skis and will take you out for an afternoon of waterskiing or
for the ride of your life--parasailing. The instructors are Coast
Guard-licensed and insured. Call ahead for If your plans include hoisting your own sail, then you'll be happy to learn that there are many boat rental establishments on the Vineyard. Keep in mind, many renters limit how far you can go in their craft. Here are a few of our favorites. Wind's Up! This is the place to go for catamarans, Dockside Whaler Rentals Dockside rents the ever-popular Boston Whaler, among other boats. Mad Max Boat Rentals and Sales Mad Max has electric boats for rent that are extremely quiet and seat four comfortably.
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Those who bring their own boat to the island, or buy their own boat on the island, can launch it at several boat ramps. In Vineyard Haven: Beach Road, on the Vineyard Haven side of the lagoon drawbridge, into the lagoon or at Lake Street into Lake Tashmoo. In Oak Bluffs: At East Chop Drive, along the north side of the Harbor, into the harbor or at Medeiros Cove, on the west side of town, into the lagoon. In Edgartown: Anthier's Landing into Sengekontacket Pond or at the south end of Katama Bay Road into Katama Bay. In Aquinnah: At the Aquinnah-Chilmark town line at Hariph's Creek Bridge into Nashaquitsa Pond or at Lobsterville, West Basin, into Menemsha Pond. |
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