Boston: Martha's Vineyard ICONIC Small Group Day Escape w/Ferry
Description
Leave Boston behind and set out on a full-day journey to Martha's Vineyard, one of New England's most beloved islands. This experience blends a scenic ferry crossing, historic seaside villages, and the laid-back charm of island life. Board the Island Queen ferry in Falmouth and cruise across Nantucket Sound to Oak Bluffs, where colorful gingerbread cottages surround the historic Tabernacle at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. Enjoy time to explore the island's most iconic spots, with an optional sightseeing bus tour covering the Flying Horses Carousel, the refined harbor town of Edgartown, Gay Head Light atop the dramatic Aquinnah cliffs, and Nobska Point Lighthouse. Return via the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole, rounding out a full day of coastal views, ocean breezes, and authentic New England island character.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Depart Boston and head toward Cape Cod, leaving the city behind as the landscape shifts to beaches, waterways, and coastal towns.
One of the most important man-made waterways in the world, the canal offers scenic views and marks the transition into classic Cape Cod territory.
A charming coastal town near Woods Hole, Falmouth sets the tone for island travel with harbor views and relaxed seaside energy.
Island Queen Ferry (35 Minutes): Board the ferry for a smooth crossing to Martha’s Vineyard, enjoying fresh sea air and open-water views as anticipation builds.
Cruise across the sound, a defining part of the Vineyard experience and a chance to appreciate the region’s maritime character.
Arrive in one of the island’s most vibrant towns, known for its harbor, beaches, and colorful Victorian architecture.
Walk among the iconic gingerbread cottages arranged around a historic tabernacle, a uniquely preserved community that defines Oak Bluffs’ identity.
Martha's Vineyard sightseeing bus tours: Flying Horses Carousel +Edgartown+Gay Head Light+Nobska Point Lighthouse (Optional, 1.5 hours)
Visit the nation’s oldest operating carousel, a nostalgic landmark that has delighted visitors for generations.
Explore this elegant harbor town featuring white clapboard homes, historic streets, and views of one of the island’s most picturesque ports.
Set atop colorful clay cliffs, this lighthouse offers dramatic views of the Atlantic and represents the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
A scenic stop near Woods Hole, this lighthouse overlooks Vineyard Sound and provides a final coastal highlight before departing the island area.
Return to the mainland area via Woods Hole, a key maritime hub connecting Cape Cod to the islands.
Relax on the drive back to Boston, wrapping up a day that blends island charm, ocean travel, and classic New England scenery.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup time may differ from voucher start time. Confirm with the tour operator after booking. Check “Meeting & Pick-up” for details. Arrive 5–10 mins early. Departure from the hotel between 6:30am where can pick you up. Please contact tour operator to confirm the specific departure time. Please allow a 5–10 minute window before and after your pick-up time, as the guide may arrive slightly early or late due to multiple stops.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers under 18 must be with an adult. Pregnant travelers allowed if under 24 weeks.
- Tour duration includes visit times, travel, traffic, and driving between locations.
- Please verify your name and contact details; errors may incur additional costs.
- Please note: Cash is required during the tour for certain attractions, shops, and tickets. Guests are advised to prepare sufficient cash in advance.
- For multiple bookings, please provide all confirmation numbers after booking to ensure you travel on the same bus.
- By selecting an option and completing your booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the tour's full product description, including all details about itinerary, included and excluded fees. Your payment indicates your acceptance of these terms.
- Tickets & Admission: Third-party attraction tickets or city passes are not accepted. All admission tickets must be purchased during booking or from your guide on the day of the tour.
- Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and water for hydration. A valid reachable phone number is required for safety and trip communication.
- For individual special needs, tour operator may not be able to guarantee it. For special reasons, please confirm with the tour operator whether your special request is feasible after your booking is confirmed.
Reviews(34)
Willy is an excellent guide. He was timely, safe, and lots of fun! Willy knew everyone’s name. He gave us a guided tour along the way.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
James was a wonderful driver. He got us to and from the ferry very promptly and safely. He even brought snacks since the traffic was bad.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Willy our driver was very polite and courteous. He accommodated a pick up of our family at our hotel which isn't a meeting point. He communicated with us throughout and ensured all excursion plans were well coordinated. Excellent experience, great service.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Jeffrey was a wonderful driver and we enjoyed our second trip to Martha’s Vineyard! We felt safe and comfortable in his van and he gave us detailed instructions about the ferry.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Our driver/guide from Boston to Woods Hole was Willy and he was great - polite, kind and thoughtful and a careful driver. He even messaged me while we were on Martha’s Vineyard to check if we met or optional minibus tour and if everything was going ok. When we arrived back in Boston he kindly dropped everyone off at their different hotels, which was above and beyond the tour package. In contrast to Willy, our guide on Martha’s Vineyard for the optional minibus tour was terrible. I prefer not to put his name, but he was cynical, rude to some passengers and NEVER stopped talking, often about himself. By the end of our 3 hour minibus tour our bus group was silent and it was noticeable that due to their dissatisfaction most of the passengers did not leave a tip.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Overall I guess I'm glad I experienced Martha's Vineyard, but I was disappointed that we didn't stop long enough to really enjoy the shops or take pictures of the beautiful houses, or anything else. We did stop at Aquinnah Cliffs for photos for which I was thankful. We were fortunate that the day was gorgeous so the views and ferry rides were enjoyable. I expected a long day, and it was. I'd hoped that on our ride down the driver would share some info about where we were going, but he did not. He really didn't talk to us at all. And the tour guide on the island was good enough, but overall I just thought the day was long and the tour was just ok. And I would recommend one meeting place in Boston for the initial pick up and final drop off. People taking the tour will make their way there instead of traveling all over the city and outskirts picking up and dropping off.
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your recent day trip to Martha’s Vineyard. We’re glad to hear that you were fortunate to have a gorgeous day, enjoyed the ferry rides and views, and appreciated the photo stop at the Aquinnah Cliffs. We also appreciate your observations about the areas where we fell short. We’re sorry to learn that you felt the time at the stops wasn’t sufficient to fully explore the shops or capture the beauty of the island, and that the guide did not provide the level of commentary you had hoped for during the ride down. A more engaging and informative journey is something we aim to deliver consistently, and we regret that this wasn’t reflected on your tour. Your comments have been shared with our operations and guide management teams so we can reinforce expectations around communication and in-transit narration. We also note your thoughts about the island tour guide and the overall pacing of the day. Your sense that the tour didn’t fully live up to its potential is feedback we take seriously as we look for ways to refine the itinerary. Your practical suggestion regarding a single central meeting point in Boston for both pickup and drop-off is well-received. We will certainly consider your recommendation. We value your insights and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on a more seamless and enriching tour in the future.
Explore the whole island. Don’t just stay near the ferry drop off. Make sure to see the cottages. Super cute
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
The driver Willy was very accommodating, and organized. Everything was on schedule. The scenery was amazing.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
This is a hectic-free experience to check out Martha Vineyard ，highly recommend to go by tour guide Willy
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Paco our driver was great and on time to pick us up in the morning and when we returned from the tour. The tour guide, Jonathan, was really nice and very knowledgeable of the island. Would recommend this trip.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
