Martha's Vineyard Destination Charters
Spend a day on the water and enjoy a unique Vineyard experience with a seasoned, Coast Guard-licensed Captain. Discover places only accessible by boat.
Cruise in comfort aboard the power vessel Saltworks, a Mainship Pilot 30 with all the amenities and safety equipment. The Mainship design is ideal for the sea conditions of Vineyard waters. Bask in the sun on the fore deck or after deck. Or enjoy the comfort of the shaded cockpit as you cruise toward your destination. Experience Martha's Vineyard from a seafaring perspective and learn some local history. Captain Grandy, also a captain of the Chappaquiddick Ferry, has over 50 years of sea-time experience and extensive knowledge of local waters and history.
A party of four is ideal; a maximum of six is allowed by Coast Guard regulations. Bring the kids; it will likely be an experience not soon forgotten! Bring a swim suit, towel, and lunch. A hat, sunscreen, and sweatshirt are recommended also. Cooler, ice, seltzer, and water will be available on board. Feel free to BYOB in moderation. Easy in and out of the water from the swim platform and ladder.
Departure for the Elizabeth Island destinations is generally from the Owen Park dock in Vineyard Haven, but an Edgartown departure can be arranged. Departure from Edgartown is from the Memorial Wharf adjacent to the Chappy Ferry. Owen Park is easily accessible using the VTA bus to the Steamship Authority in Vineyard Haven. Free parking is available at the Tisbury Park and Ride on State Road in Tisbury. A five minute shuttle ride takes you to the Steamship Authority dock. It's an easy stroll down the beach to Owen Park dock in the Vineyard Haven harbor mooring field.
Captain Grandy will customize your charter excursion from two to seven hours.
Or you can choose from the destinations and time options below.
Available Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays beginning Memorial Day weekend through September.
Special charter requests are always welcome.
See the remote, privately owned Elizabeth Islands or see the Vineyard from the water:
Separating the Vineyard from Buzzards Bay, the Elizabeth Islands - Nonamessit, Naushon, Pasque, Nashawena, Penikese, and Cuttyhunk - were named for Queen Elizabeth in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold. They are a reminder of how the Vineyard looked centuries ago. There are few houses, fewer vehicles, and cows and deer often wander down to the shoreline. Though four of the islands are privately owned, there are remote beaches open to the public accessible only by boat. You can choose to visit one of those beaches for lunch and a swim or go all the way to Cuttyhunk, the farthest southwest of the islands. Or you can choose to see the Vineyard by sea, either east toward Cape Pogue, Katama, and Edgartown or west down the North Shore to Menemsha and Aquinnah. Either way, you can enjoy time on the water on a comfortable vessel and see the remarkable beauty of places difficult to access.
Tarpauline Cove: Cruise to this storied, historic cove and lighthouse on the Vineyard Sound side of Naushon Island. Why is there a lighthouse here anyway? Venture into Lake Tashmoo, past Lambert's Cove, Cedar Tree Neck and across Middle Ground to Naushon Island. Enjoy lunch, a swim, and exploration ashore if you choose. Or just relax on board.
3 hour or 5 hour option
Kettle Cove Beach or West Beach: Cruise to one of these remote beaches on the Buzzard's Bay side of Naushon Island via Lake Tashmoo, past Tarpaulin Cove, and through picturesque Robinson's Hole. Enjoy lunch, a swim, and exploration ashore if you choose. Or just relax on board. Return via Hadley Harbor on Nonamessit Island and Woods Hole.
5 hours
Cuttyhunk Island (a full day on the water): Cruise to this tiny community (summer pop. 400) at the southwest end of the Elizabeth Islands via Robinson's Hole or Quicks' Hole and along the spectacular shoreline of these islands. Bring or purchase lunch and walk around town up to The Lookout for a picnic and some great views of the Vineyard. Half of this island is a nature preserve. Visit nearby Penikese Island, former Leper Colony (1907 - 1921) and now a bird sanctuary primarily. If the conditions are right, observe seals, cormorants, loons, and eiders on "Gull Island" and return via Quicks' Hole or Robinson's Hole.
7 hours
Menemsha by sea: Cruise to this iconic fishing village, a film site for Jaws, via the historic north shore of the Vineyard and learn some local history. Venture into Lake Tashmoo, see Cedar Tree Neck, Great Rock Bite, the remains of the Menemsha Brickworks, and more. The north shore is home to some of the Vineyard's most spectacular properties and beautiful shorelines that are mostly inaccessible except by water. Go ashore at Menemsha for a lobster roll lunch and/or anchor and swim at Lobsterville beach if you choose. See the Aquinnah cliffs from the water.
5 hour
Historic Edgartown harbor by sea: Cruise past the iconic Edgartown lighthouse to this historic and charming former whaling town and learn some history along the way. See some of the sites used in Jaws. Venture into Katama Bay, anchor in Katama or at the entrance to Cape Pogue Pond for lunch and a swim if you choose. See the Cape Pogue Lighthouse from the sea as mariners have for years.
3 hour or 5 hour option
Scroll down to message Captain Grandy about customizing your excursion.
Reserve Your Charter
Use the message button below if you have questions, want to make a special request, or want to reserve a date and time
Payment is refundable if weather or conditions cause a cancelation and you do not wish to reschedule.
2 hour option: $600
3 hour option: $875
5 hour option: $1325
7 hour option: $1800
508-326-2500