South Beach Reviews

We came here for pictures. The beach was very windy and there was big surf. If you come early enough you can have the place pretty much to yourself.

South Beach and Norton Point doesn't get any better! You can spend the day playing in the waves, taking long walks, building sand castles or reading a book! Norton Point you can buy a day or seasonal permit from the Trustee's and drive out on the beach in your 4 wheel vehicle. Dogs on leashes are also welcome on Norton Point!

South beach is a great spot to relax and enjoy the vineyard's great beaches. While the water is a bit rougher than some of the other beaches on the island, the sand is smooth and it is very easy to park. It is our favorite beach on the island!

Located on the Vineyard south of edgartown. Best beach for tanning. The undertow and waves are a little dangerous at times. Bring your lunch and enjoy the day.

Its fun when its not too crowded which is after 4 pm. The waves are crazy and the drop off is scary. It's not my favorite beach on the island but we can bike here.

Nice beach, but overcrowded. There's a sharp drop off from the beach into the water so the high tide line and low tide line are virtually the same.

One of the finest and most beautiful in all of New England! The only thing I did not like was that vehicles were allowed on the beach.

The South Beach is the longest cleanest beach on the island. Very easy bus access from Edgartown with frequent pick ups.

Clean and easy to get to on the bus. No food places, but a bathroom is a short walk from the beach. When you sit on the sand, the water comes very close!

Easy ride from Edgartown to this beach. It can be very crowded in the summer but was great during our October visit. There are facilities there which I always appreciate!

Lovely clean beach, not so crowded. Watch out for undercurrents. The beach drops dramatically so children have to be watched all the time.Bathrooms are very convenient but no showers for washing off the salt water and sand.

This beach was perfect for the 4th of July weekend. the waves were rough 1 day, but the water was nice the next day.
Easy bus ride from the town.

The waves are extreme and very powerful. You must be a good swimmer as the waves come crashing down and could easily disorient the not-so-good swimmer. Not a kid beach because of the water. My crew loved the water, but they are all strong swimmers.

The beach was serene, uncrowded and very easy to park free along the road or parking lot. We saw large rolling waves and beautiful shore birds . No lifeguards until summer season . Perfect beach with large waves.

South Beach is a beautiful, classic New England beach the beach area is soft and Sandy leading into a relatively steep drop off into the ocean. The waves here are bigger then at state beach, so if you have young children you need to be careful and beware of the strong currents and undertow. The beach has five lifeguard stands along the mile long beach, as well as three sets of bathrooms; one at either end and one in the middle; they are all Porta potty's as there's no running water. This beach is great for will be boarding, playing in the sand, and overall fun. If you were worried about young children with the waves state beach might be a better option. Parking along the road can be limited on busy days so either get here early or be prepared to walk a little bit further to be able to access the beach.

There on a vacation and loved it. Never enough time. Clean, inviting, peaceful. Hope to be back soon.

Lucky to have a run of sunny skies and temperate whether, we visited the beach several times. It's a beautiful, well-maintained stretch of sand, popular but not overcrowded, easily accessible by bus from downtown. Beachgoers were happy and considerate.

When it's time to shed the cares of hectic, modern living and experience the glories of beach meeting ocean, South Beach is the epitome. The beach is unbelievably clean; the waves are consistently relaxing, even lulling one to sleep; access is convenient; and, it seems that the other beach-goers are extraordinarily friendly and considerate. Sunsets are...words escape me!

Commercial ventures are conspicuously absent - thank the stars above - but rest rooms are available. We recommend sand or beach chairs, drinks to keep you hydrated, snacks to keep you content (beware hungry and friendly sea gulls), and sun screen to prevent the kind of sunburn which I always seem to acquire.

I actually hesitate to publish this favorable review, since the beach has not been crowded during our sojourns, and that's a major attraction. However, fair is fair, and the appreciative public deserves to know of this wonderful pastoral escape. Since we visit only during our annual pilgrimage to The Vineyard after the busy season, however, perhaps Eden won't be ruined.

Beautiful beach, but it was pretty breezy and rough surf with undertow. Lifeguards on hand, but I could only walk on the edge. There are also only port a potties to use for changing and restrooms. There was no toilet paper in half of them. There was good parking. It was a good place for lying in the sun, but it was not a good place to try and have a good swim unless you can handle rough surf and not for young children to swim in

A must see.
We easily rode our bikes to the beach from Edgartown. The water was refreshing.
The waves were big and the current strong that day.

Soft white sand, great Atlantic Ocean surf. No better way to spend a Vineyard summer day. Convenient location, you'll want to spend the whole day.

go by bus; no hassles with parking; drops you off and picks up in best spot

no bath house or showers ; just portable toilets so bring a drink nothing to buy

the best of the beach clear water and great sand

South Beach is a rustic beach with crystal clear water and soft sand. Enjoy the dunes and take a long walk on this very clean and scenic beach.

South Beach is gorgeous. You definitely need to be careful with the surf. Some days are more wild than others. But it's always fun, always beautiful.

I’m sure many people have told you about the beach itself. I think the beach is very nice, but there can be one big problem for those of us that don’t have a car or Bicycle. From what I remember, the bus comes from Edgartown once per hour. It could have been once every 30 minutes. That is still the problem, when it starts raining or the beginnings of a storm. I went there a few years ago and within five minutes it started raining. I know you won’t melt in July. The problem is that everyone runs for the bus. There are a lot of people on that beach. That’s why I don’t really like it. All the people run for the bus at one time. I don’t think everyone got on the first bus. That means you have to wait 30 minutes to one hour in the rain. I do not remember the bathrooms being full bathrooms. I love jetties beach because it is like the Caribbean. I also love Surfside because you get the waves, and it is not as crowded. Take note that the last bus goes back to town from Surfside at 6 PM Hope that helps people who need the bus.

Beautiful unspoilt beach. We really liked the fact that there are life guards patrolling that not keep swimmers safe but also ensure everyone abides by the rules. No litter, no tacky beach shops, just a loving stretch of white sand and sea.

There are no refreshments shops or shade so take food and drinks with you. We took two parasols and were thankful for them. There are portaloos.

This is the best beach for friends and families. Wonderful sand, waves and suds to play in, beach sports, easily accessible, bathrooms, off the bike path, fun for all! Oh, and don't miss the yearly Sandcastle contest!

I'm a Jersey shore fan so I don't really understand this narrow beach with unbearably cold water, small breakers and no boardwalk. Visually, it is attractive with the windswept dunes. In September when my friends were sun bathing on Jersey beaches, the people here were wrapped in blankets and shivering.

If you want waves this is the place to be. But don’t be fooled by the beautiful blue water, these waves are brutal, the current is crazy strong and the shells and rocks are unforgiving when you get slammed into the ocean floor by the waves. (Just ask my kids). The beach was very crowded, but we were able to find a spot to enjoy the views easily. It’s a great beach and worth checking out, but if you want a relaxing swim on the island, check out the JAWS bridge area. That was peaceful, calm and crystal clear for a nice swim.

South Beach was a beautiful location. If you like the sand, sun & fun people watching. This is the place for you.

With all the winter storms, beach erosion has become a real problem for South Beach. The sand has been pushed inland almost to the creek. But, still it is a lovely beach and will be a wonderful vacation spot this summer. We walked along it and, even though breezy this time of year, we enjoyed the beauty of this spectacular island treasure. Park off road or on the west parking lot.

Went there on a Monday in late July.
Very nice beach which is why it's so crowded - and great waves. I would avoid parking in the big lot near Katama air park as that is the most crowded. If hungry go to the Right Fork diner or get sandwiches at Katama General Store.

Conveniently located in Katama. Great for tanning, riding the waves and beach fun. Also wonderful for early morning walks with the peaceful sound of the surf!

We love going to South Beach but this year we were forced to leave mid-day due to over crowding. Most families were very, very good about social distancing but the younger crowds drove us from the beach. Far too close for our comfort. We arrived at 10am and got about 2 hrs of beach time before we were forced out. Just an FYI.

Nice out of the way beach with a great surf, excellent transportation options, changing rooms, white sand, and unlike other beachs on the Cape, no rocks! Bring your own lunch, umbrella, and chairs and enjoy miles of Atlantic coastline and great waves to frolick in from sun up to sun down!

One of the finest examples of New England beaches. Easy access , great sand and a southern view make South Beach special.

Spent several days here on our visit. The beach is beautiful, parking is convenient. We did not see any restroom (?) so we would head back to our rental (as needed!!). Didn't see any life guards, but not sure if there are any there normally (we visited in mid-September). Beach was not crowded so everyone maintained good social distancing.

We went in July and had someone in the group in a wheel chair. The lifeguards we great .. they provided a wheel chair for the beach so he didn't have to miss out on the beach experience. :)

My home is within walking distance of this beach. It has bathrooms, parking and life guards - in season. One of the island's best beaches

South Beach is the best beach on Martha's Vineyard. Perfect sand, great waves and plenty of room to relax and enjoy.

South beach is a south facing beach and because it faces the open ocean, the waves can be quite large and powerful. It is a gorgeous beach and it does have Life Guards. It is a perfect beach for people who want waves to body surf.

Lovely beach for families to relax and enjoy. Parking is fairly easy. The undertow can be rough, so please be careful.

If you want action, this is the beach to visit. Sugary sands, high rolling waves, kid's and family paradise. Not for littles. Mind your suit bottoms and expect a few tumbles.

South Beach is very pretty. It seems to be quite popular so if you are looking for a secluded area this might not be the best for you. Definitely a good place to take the kids for a day.

Recently returned from Martha's Vineyard with girlfriend's and had the opportunity to visit this beautiful beach. My girlfriend and I prefer clothing optional so this was the beach for us. Quite a bit of a drive coming from Oak Bluffs but worth it. I agree with some of the other reviews, waves are choppy and at times rough, not a great place for non swimmers due to the limited lifeguards. The people that we met were friendly and respectful. Great place for long walks. My only complaint is that the walk from the parking lot to the actual beach is quite a trek....

We walked to this beach and had a wonderful time. Though it was the middle of the summer and there were plenty of people around, we didn't find it to be overcrowded art all. Would definitely visit again.

My husband and I rented a house for one week in July in Katama in the Ocean Pines area. The main reason for this rental area of Edgartown was to be close to South Beach. It turned out to be as picture perfect as all the photos we had seen online. We had a ritual every mid-morning...we would make a trip to the Katama General Store to pick up food for a picnic on the beach. We headed out to the beach around 10:30am to 11:00am to find parking close to our favorite area of the beach. Parking is free and plentiful. It is a good walk from parking to the beach when you are carrying beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and a picnic lunch. It is wise to arrive fairly early to ensure good parking. We would stay until around 2pm - 2:30pm when the crowds really began arriving. The beach has gorgeous sand, huge waves, and is very picturesque for miles but is not too wide so when high tide is in it becomes rather narrow from what we are used to. The beach is very clean and patrolled by Edgartown Police. There are lifeguards and bathroom facilities scattered around. We saw many parents hanging onto their small children when wading into the water. The waves can become quite high and frightening for little ones. Whatever you enjoy...reading on the beach, sun bathing, chatting with loved ones or friends you cannot beat this beach!

The beach is long and beautiful. There is also, a lovely sandy walking path along the bay side of the beach. The only downside is that the beach can get crowded (along with the area for 4 wheel drive trucks), particularly during high tide.
Also, can be a party beach....

Nice beach. Waves are a ton of fun. Would be really nice if town would add some showers and basic food or drink availabity.

Unfortunately it is not a swimming beach, but it was a wonderful place to walk along the waters edge or sit and watch the waves and play in the sand.

We cycled here from the ferry drop off point. Nice beach and easy to get to. Lifeguard on duty and plenty of space. Good swimming conditions.

This is a nice beach to spend an afternoon. It is a bit more crowded than East Beach on Chappy but less crowded than Inkwell in Oak Bluffs. This beach if free and does have lifeguards, if either is important to you. I would recommend visiting this beach while in Martha's Vineyard.

Loved the whole place. End up went multiple times for beach walking. Each time I spent two hours of walking. Beautiful weather and the sand. One recommendation would be bring your own water. There's nowhere you can buy. Just in case you want to spend a long day.

Having growth up on Martha's Vineyard, I have seen the changes to the island beaches over the years. Storms have created erosion that has affected the size of beaches over the years. BUT, South beach is a lovely large beach mass again with space for both walk-on and drive on visitors. The water is deep quickly, so beware to families with small children or novice swimmers. There are lifeguards during the season (which ended Labor Day) that notify swimmers by a centrally located board, the water conditions for the day.

South is a great beach to go early and stay late to take advantage of the WHOLE beach day!

p.s. Post Labor Day is still great, the pm hours is when the fishermen start coming out.

...of alll these brilliant beaches on the island. Accessible within half a minute from the parking lots and it also comes with beautiful views

Relaxing beach just south of Edgartown. Bus made it simple to visit. Changing rooms available. Wasn't too crowded on a Monday but I could see how this would be a popular beach.

It was a annual party by the beach patrol of Boston. Food, music was great ,everyone was rocking to the beat. Bring your sunscreen, towel, sunglasses, camera for all the sights and plenty of water and you well have a great time!!!

Clean beach. Always great waves and nice sand. Parking isn't bad too bad and handicap parking is set up well.

Stunning soft sand beach. Probably the nicest on the island. Unfortunately on the Atlantic side with pretty rough surf. Nice to look at, but harrowing to enter. The waves really knock you around, throw you into the sand, etc. It was too much for this middle aged guy (I tried it for a few minutes and really got thrown around) and the reluctance to get back in the water left me feeling that a better protected beach was a better choice.

We took the bus from Edgartown to South Beach, which is convenient and easy (the bus comes back every 30 minutes in peak season). The beach is beautiful and we will be back next year.

Went there early with my husband and was practically deserted until 10:00am when a small crowd started arriving. Still, it was not as crowded as all the other beaches on the island. The water was choppy with big waves the day were there. All in all, we had a fun day!

Beautiful beach... we got there at 10am n it was delightful but by 1230 it’s packed with people.... waves are quite strong but refreshing.... beach kinda narrow compared to hamptons n high tide when we were there Saturday....easy $4 rt bus ride from Edgartown church street(10 min).... there are toilets at entrance but no food or chair/umbrella rentals.

This is a large beach and there is plenty of parking. They have port a potties if you have to go to bathroom.

Definitely the beach to GO, hell yea ! .... drive your off roadies on the sand too... bring your grill and entire family

This beach may be the most beautiful on MV. The sand is soft and clean. The view is breath taking. But, the waves are big, so it's tougher with young children. It's also more of a walk from parking. We always go at least once just to enjoy the view and jump in the waves. Bathrooms are an added bonus.

This is a beautiful long stretch of beach with great sunsets. South Beach has high sand dunes with soft sand and breathtaking sunsets.

Beautiful day. Nice day for walk along beach. Not crowded. Water was warm. Need to be careful with waves and undertows, especially if you have children.

A bit crowded in the Summer. Great off season. Swimming in the often pounding surf and cool water takes some ... fortitude and good swimming skills. Ltd services available. Bring your chairs, towels, and food. Seems to be popular with surfers and surf casters. Seals sometimes seen here.

Every other year we come to this beach to spend a wonderful time.
Even though the sea is kind of strong, the time send on the shore is nice, breeze,and nice.

The parking was annoying, the ocean got deep quickly, it was rough waves for our kids, lots of people, soft sand, and not too rocky.

During every trip to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, we visit South Beach on a daily basis and are never disappointed. The beach is clean, has a changing area as well as portable bathrooms (eww but at least it's better than nothing!) and ample parking. The level of waves changes with the weather/moon cycle but whether they're calm or insane, they're beautiful and enjoyable. South Beach also offers an area to drive your car onto the sand with a tire deflation/inflation area. Awesome beach!

Best summer adventure! Experienced drivers highly suggested. Visitors or first timers driving on soft sand “let your tires down to 15psi please for the love of God DONT drive your “all wheel drive cars” down ...you WILL get stuck! But awesome fun for real 4x4’s
This pic is of whale bones washed up.

At the end of Katama Road and the intersection of Katama Bay with the Atlantic Ocean ... you will find South Beach. It stretches for miles along the southern border of MV with several lifeguard chairs to pull swimmers out if needed. The waves can be strong and too powerful for young children and old swimmers alike. There is a changing area and rest rooms but no concessions nor food. A walk over to the Winnetu's Dunes restaurant would quench one's thirst. The seagulls appear to be trained to swoop down and take any morsel of food they can salvage...even from your hand...so beware. Great for boogie boards and teens. Lifeguards seem more interested in watching themselves at times. Great to bike up to the beach with multiple bike racks and a station to fill air into flat tires. Bus from town stops frequently and better to take than parking a mile away. Hint: there will be a new just opened general store on Katama Road about a mile from the beach to stop and buy supplies/food and local gossip. Easy to find and hard to beat the actual true beauty of the Island. The nature rhythm of the waves and the sound of the ocean clearly is the theme for this visit.

Rode the mopeds down to the beach after lunch. Wild and windy surf. Beautiful beach full of kite surfers. Fun to watch.

We passed it on our bikes and wanted a quick glance as it was a cloudy day and didn't expect to stay. We sat for an hour! The beach is beautiful and a very relaxing place (although maybe we were lucky due to the bad weather). Convenient little changing area outside the entrance too. I would definitely recommend this beach!

We visited South Beach this past January. The weather was perfect and the beach was clean and the sand was soft. There are many restaurants, hotels and shops all in walking distance.

You can off- road using your van/truck or jeep! You can also hit bumps and go flying! You can also stop for a relaxing swim!

A lovely beach with probably a mile long or more of sandy beach. Great waves for surfing. You need to be a strong swimmer as this is the Atlantic Ocean!!

South Beach is my favorite beach on Martha's Vineyard. It isn't safe for swimming but if you love to lay on the beach or play in the sand and watch the waves roll in with a roar, then this is the place to be. It is so huge that it never seems crowded and there is plenty of parking.

It was the prettiest beach we saw while on Martha’s Vineyard! It’s definitely worth stopping by to take a look :)

Spent the day with my best friend sunning, playng in the waves, people-watching and just chilin', Take your beach chairs, snacks, beverages. Prepare to spend the day. Easy parking and handicapped parking is close to the beach. Lifeguards on duty.

I go down to this beach as often as I can. The dunes, the surf and the fabulous sunsets are worth every step. Easy to get to and one of our natures gifts....

Tranquil off season beach stop off. Great place for sunset pictures. Location ideal for kite flying.

Great stretch of beach. Soft sand, clean water, plenty of lifeguards and changing rooms and bathrooms. Get there early and stay all day. What a beautiful beach.

South beach is a special place. The beach is ‘endless’ and the waves rolling.

A fun place to visit. It is a must stop for any visit to the Vineyard. The best!

South Beach is a beautiful beach with blue skies and white caps. It is accessible to public transportation, changing rooms, and rest rooms.

The drive was just beautiful that day, we just loved the area. First trip to Martha's Vineyard, we took our car over on the Ferry, which was the BEST decision we made.

Get here early as parking gets filled by noon. Wave and view awesome. Saw seals swimming close by. Wish they had better bathroom facilities.

I have to admit that we were slightly disappointed after having read good reviews. I found the beach to be quite narrow, steep access to the water and it looked like a fairly strong undertow. Parking on sand seemed plentiful and the walk to the beach pretty short. Nice sand and endless isolated walking are the best features. I suspect it IS the best beach on the island but really nothing special. Makes for an just ok outing. I don't think the water is suited for kids though, so be aware.

Heard South beach got hit hard this winter (storms, erosion) still a great beach with great sand and surf!

Liked the lifeguards and the ease of entry. Disliked the steep drop off- need to keep and eye on the kids

I though t the beach was average...I enjoyed getting there on our bikes. It started drizzling a bit when we were there.

Really nice beach, parking is free and close by. Really busy on the day we visited but nice for a day chilling at the beach

Broad fine sand beach, clean water, light crowds, and access by air...fly into Katama airport, park at the south end (be sure to pay the landing fee. They'll track you down, but it is WELL worth it)

Great beach with good waves to play in. I read one review that said there were bathrooms but where we went there were only porta potties. Certainly better than nothing though!

No, really!!! Simply breathtaking. And this from someone who has been to all the top Florida beaches, Hilton Head, most New England beaches, SC, and Jones Beach NY. Nothing quite like it.
Why is South beach the best? Long, clean, uncrowded, warm water, great sand, island feel (you literally see no signs of civilization- no houses, hotels, etc.) and plenty of free parking. Even when super busy in July and August , I've found plenty of free parking. If you go in the fall, you get all of the above plus amazing sunsets. Love South beach - aka known as Katama Beach to locals.

Great surf! Great waves. We discovered later that we brought some of the beach and surf back to our rental😉 due to strong surf

Wonderful beautiful South 🏖
Pristine beach
Portable bathrooms near parking
Long Beach for a good walk

Although this is a beautiful beach, the waves tend to be high and an under current can be sometimes strong. I don't go often because of this reason and it makes me nervous to have my teen anger in the water although he is a decent swimmer. They do have life guards who indicate warnings etc on a white board at the entrance to the beach. On this trip, lifeguards had to close the beach because the waves were so high that the water was coming all the way up the beach and literally soaking beach goers belongings. The beach is beautiful but in my opinion water conditions are not the safest.

For the first time in 6 visits, it seemed like South Beach was busy this weekend! It was beautiful out and we were there with several hundred of our "closest friends" all enjoying the sun and waves.

South Beach is a jewel. Plenty of parking and easy paths over the dunes to the beach itself. Porta - potties are available. Lots of lifeguards. The waves are fun to play in but can be rough at times so practice caution. Just a really fun place to soak up some sun, "people watch" and enjoy the beauty of the Vineyard. Watch out for the seagulls -- many of them are pretty aggressive when it comes to taking food. I had one expertly grab a sandwich right out of my hand -- it was a "fly by" and I was not injured. But I was startled!

Beautiful beach that is across the entire southern side of the island. Ocean waves and
pretty sunsets. It can be dangerous with an undertow.

South Beach is a nice ocean beach with soft sand (as opposed to most of the other beaches on the island). The day we went the waves were incredibly calm which was surprising reading about the surf on here (though we did see a seal pop up). I will say, this was definitely the most crowded beach I had been to while here in MV (State Beach was much less full!) so for that reason I docked a star. Plenty of free parking, bathrooms and lifeguards if you feel you need that. However, if you're looking for emptier beaches, probably not the spot.

A little out of the way not close to Edgartown. If you don't mind the drive it's worth it. Clean quiet beach, not crowded.

This is a great beach, with not nearly enough parking during the summer season - but there is very easy bus transportation there!

Love this beach. My kids loved the waves and the sand is wonderful. One BIG downside is there is no snack shack. There are plenty of Porto-potties but no place for Water and snacks. Can’t for the life of me understand that.

Not as crowded as other beaches, though it can be in peak season. Can find a nice quiet place to read, nap and sunbathe.

Great beach, saw a woman walking with toilet paper stuck to her butt, don't sit on your nest if you're wet haha. Then a sea gull came down and stole my backdoor donut left overs right out of my hand. The kids had fun body surfing, I got really tan so I would have to say this is a great beach, it did its job, did not see jaws this trip! The sand is soft and hot.

Very sunny and beautiful sandy beach, go here, ride your bike, eat at katama general store and enjoy!

Really nice family friendly beach open to all. Nice bike ride down from Edgartown took about 20 minutes. The water was a nice temperature and there was plenty of space on a summer weekend for everyone to have their own spot.

Awesome beach, so close to where we are staying in Edgartown. Beautiful sand and views. Great surf. All of us had a blast. The only addition that could make it better would be a snack shack. But it has parking along the road (we had no problem finding a spot), decent porta potties and lifeguards and a definitely family friendly vibe!

Great swimming for families. It can get rough though depending on the wind. Still, beautiful sand to go for long walks or lie and get some sun.

We love this beach and keep coming back again and again. It's easy to drive to and park or bike to, people are lovely when you pass them, which can be rarely.

This beach is beautiful and clean. It is just not my personal favorite. They have lifeguards and bathroom facilities. Most days the surf is pretty intense. I have seen several rescues over the years. This beach is more popular for young adults. If you are looking for a more family friendly beach go to Joseph Sylvia State Beach. The water is calm and beautiful. Great for small children.

Here is the best public-accessible beache on the south shore.
Most days the surf is about 2 to 3 feet. The beach at water's edge is rather steep but manageable.
Parking fills up early in mid-season so get there early, take the bus, ride your bike, or even fly in with you light plane.

it's not my favorite beach on the island but it is free to get on and lots of bike racks there. the bike ride is nice but there's nothing else in the area so bring your own lunch! if you have a car, i'd suggest west tisibury (will cost to get on beach) or Chappy's public beach.

We used to go to South Beach every summer, exclusively, but now we stay up island and go to another beach. South Beach is great for older kids, but not for the little ones. Very strong waves and not very relaxing for parents of smaller kids. We go now only for a quick visit. It is very popular with the Edgartown/Katama folks as it's closest and open to the public.

I'm not sure what I'm missing here with all of these reviews, sure the beach is beautiful but it's unswimmable, I'm 26, 5'4, 125lbs and the waves took me out multiple times, it wasn't even enjoyable. I'm sure I sound like a pansy but I couldn't believe people were letting their children swim. We drove past too many calm, equally beautiful beaches for me to ever want to return to South Beach. Just my opinion!

We cycled here and it was well maintained and there was still lots of space on a sunny late August afternoon. Loos and changing cabins nearby. Lifeguard too.

Drive around and explore- no high rises- just relaxing and natural.
Easy drive from town.
Bring your bucket for stones and shells!

My favorite bike ride from town and a lovely beach. Easy to ride to and walk. Put it on your to do list.

Gorgeous beach facing the ocean. Probably gets quite crowded in-season, but it was empty and inspiring in September. Miles of blue.

It is rough! beautiful but the day we went we were tossed pretty good. Lifeguards, plenty.
Very crowded and parking can be a hassle

Beautiful beach, soft soft sand! Not swamped with people. Down right gorgeous! First visit to Martha's Vineyard, never visited east coast beaches, as it compares to West coast beaches, just as nice.

We were able to walk right over to the beach from the parking lot and was surprised on how clean it was and loved picking up lots of seashells along the walk! Water was pretty clear too!

Chilly but easy to imagine summer swimming
Very pristine and clean
Love seeing birds in wind and just admiring nature
Really nice walk

This is my favorite beach on the island. It’s not only beautiful, but expansive, with excellent surf. It draws every type of person from singles, to families with kids, and all ages. I have rented a bike when a car wasn’t feasible and made it a point to take it here as it’s a no brainer . Highly recommend !

It's a great beach for walking or just sitting and watching the waves come in. The water was still a little too cold to go in it but it was just a great walk along with the waves rolling in.

Beach is sandy and clean; there are lifeguards; this beach has nice waves compared to beaches on the other parts of the island, which makes it a hit with the kids

There are no stores nearby so you have to bring everything.

Heading from Edgartown proper to the beach you have two choices, left fork to Katima Beach or right fork to South Beach. When running we stay on the left fork, but for beaching the right fork wins. The waves are solid, the port-a-potties clean every time (they must clean them daily), the parking close and garbage cans right near the entrance for easy beach maintenance. Plus the right fork also has the right fork runway and no exaggeration, in the four days we went to the beach we saw five to ten small planes landing and taking off from the groomed grass runways. The Right Fork Diner is also out that way and although we did not eat there we heard very good things. We’re not State Road Beach folks so this will be the beach for us most of the time!

Take the ferry to the island, rent bikes, ride around all day.....one of my favorite travel experiences of all time. I went in the spring and it was just an incredibly gorgeous day to ride around all day on a bike without a plan or a worry. You can't get lost on the island, just ride around and see everything!

It's a wonderful beach but very, very popular. Take the bus - parking is always problematic. The waves here are great fun for everyone.

I think the waves are bigger and the water is a touch warmer than other beaches. Most people let the air out of their tires and drive out onto this beach with 4wd vehicles. Like a big tailgate party at the beach!

South Beach is gorgeous, an ocean beach with at times rough surf. It is very accessible by bike -- TWO bike paths lead there! -- and also car or bus. This is our favorite beach on MV!

Coming from the left coast and having great beaches in So Cal, it was refreshing to see a beautiful and clean east coast beach with the dunes and grass. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the beach.

What this beach lacks in facilities, it more than makes up for in beauty. It's sandy & clean and long enough for a good walk or a flop-down with a good book as it's not too crowded in September.

this is my home beach as i live less than a mile away...great for swimming and walking and the small parking lot keeps the crowds away.

This is the nicest beach on the island and is long, sandy, busy and with some porta pottys.

For the partyish side go to "left fork" side then take a left and go down to the left a bit towards the point and the crowd is all twentysomethings having fun and drinking and responsibly partying and looks like those locals in the know have taken that part over.

Lots of parking and not overcrowded even if you arrive around noon day. Short drive from the resort. Not to long of a walk if you are not carrying much.

This beautiful beach is kept just as God intended. The only services are some seasonal toilets near the parking area. This beach has waves, but beware of the undertow, especially after storms. No one should swim alone, but especially children.

This beach was a lot of fun because it had big waves. Could've dangerous for little ones though.

No alcohol allowed on beach and they seemed to be looking around at people's stuff for it.

This beach was stunning! Only stopped off for a short time as part of a private tour but would loved to have stayed the full day! Very clean, white sand, blue waters! What more do you need! :)

This is a special spot to me. It is a spot we go every year at the end of our trip to savour the last moments of Martha's Vineyard. Each year we have to rip ourselves from the sand to catch our ferry. They have filmed scenes of jaws on this beach, and found megalodon teeth here. There are unfortunatly fascilitie at a large walking distance, but there are plenty of dunes. This is a great place to go, and I hope you find that out too.

Beautiful surf, breeezy, easy parking. The only downside was one really aggressive sea gull who stole my chicken thigh! Watch your lunches!

This is a great beach if you like Surf. My grandchildren had the best time riding the waves. It is very clean, has rest rooms, life guards, parking and to our surprise, also free. Can get very crowded on the weekend, but we had no problems parking during the week. Definitely worth going.

We love biking to South Beach from Edgartown on the bike path and enjoying the sand and crashing surf there.

My family loves the beach. It's got some surf, but not too much! It's perfect for the little kids as well as the adults.

This beach is beautiful! The water was almost as blue as the Caribbean (I didn't expect that). Big waves. Clean. Porta Potty area with changing rooms. Plenty of free parking.

I've been to islands that weren't as nice. I wish I lived closer! So beautiful and full of natural sights. Can't say much more, you just have to go!

The beach is beautiful! Lots of families and the bathrooms are extremely clean. The surf can be rough at times but well worth it.

This may be the best beach on the island. Undertow is very strong not suitable for small children. Beach is clean and sand soft rocks only in the water. Great for laying out and taking the cooler for beverages and having a picnic.

My family spends a week on Martha's Vineyard every year and we always go to South Beach, specifically we buy a beach sticker and drive out to Norton Point. It is fun driving over the dunes and convenient to everything you need in your car, especially with small kids. Over the past few years they have cut down the size of the beach due to the nest of the piping plovers so it can get a little crowded but nothing compared to the other popular beaches on the island like State Beach and Ink Well Beach. The surf can be rough at times and there aren't any lifeguards so be careful and make sure kids are wearing life vests.

South Beach is an absolutely beautiful ocean-facing beach (as opposed to sound; bay facing) and one of, if not THE, best beaches on Martha's Vineyard. But … the waves and undertow can be rough and difficult for young children to swim in. We have visited the Vineyard annually for 18 years and always make a visit to South Beach to take long walks, play in the sand, wade in the water & even for a picnic dinner. But when it comes to a day of swimming with the kids, we typically take them to the calmer waters of State Beach along the Edgartown-Oak Bluffs. While not quite as scenic, it's a safer choice for young children. One other item of note: as others have said, there are no facilities whatsoever at South Beach, so that also makes it a bit of a challenge for a long visit.

One of the best beaches on island! A quick drive or bike ride from downtown Edgartown and always a great day!

Very windy cycle to get there but certainly worth the effort. Beach was practically deserted despite it being a lovely day. What amazing views

Wonderfully accessible public beach. Great sand and plenty of room to spread out. Public bathrooms have been added.

Local residents say they come everyday for a walk.beach was clean,several sand dunes close to where u park.parking was free.
It was chilly October 17th on the beach,a bit windy.

There’re portable rest rooms for men and women near beach, which was relatively ok to use.
Beach was slightly rocky but good waves to have fun.
No food stand or anything near by but clean environment.
Busses stop by.
Quiet and peaceful.

Wonderful strole surrounded by an ocean breeze. Wonderful sand and water and the atmosphere is absolutely magic

My boyfriend and I rode out to South Beach from Edgartown via bicycle. The ride was easy and quick and brought us to a beach that could easily rival those in more tropical climates. We were pleased to find such a wonderful treasure.

South Beach is a beautifu, unspoiled spot to sit or walk in the soft sand, but swimming seemed rather impossible when we were there due to the steep drop off and strong surf. It was a short and pleasant bike ride there from Edgartown. The dunes are peppered with beautiful pink wild roses which add sweet scent to the air!

Nice sand - soft and not rough. Nice waves! Everyone was mindful of social distancing. There is not place to buy food - so pre plan.

Beautiful long sandy beach. The surf can be very rough though with riptides and big waves. Despite this we loved our time on this beautiful beach.

South Beach in Edgartown is a nice ocean beach with lifeguards in-season and ample parking at the left anf right fork ends. Parking can be difficult on high occupancy weekends inbetween where the beach is less crowded. The wave action is good though there is a sharp fall off a few steps out as the waves break close to the shoreline. Be sure to bring whatever you require during the day as there are no services other than changing rooms and port-o-potties available. There is bus service inseason to/from Edgartown. Also, it is an easy bike ride from Edgartown with good bike path access.

We went here one day on vacation, but might not go back. It is a narrow strip of beach with a lot of people. The waters were really rough when we went. Kids really couldn't go in the ocean. There wasn't a lot of room for them to play either. There are lifeguards and bathrooms (porta johns). It is free. People must love this beach because there were a lot of people there, but it's not the beach for us!

Anyone that has visited Martha's Vineyard knows that if you haven't been to South Beach you haven't really been to the Vineyard. South Beach is a truly outstanding venue on the Island. Without a doubt, South Beach is extremely exciting because it has the biggest waves on Martha's Vineyard!

the best beach in the world! I have owned property on the island for nearly 50 years and travels to many world wide locations and must say I think the South Beach of Martha's Vineyard is the best by far. Whether you walk it to put your toes in the sand, fish it for the big one, drive it as allowed for fun and recreation or just drive up and look around, it is second to none! I have watched over the years as the erosion has taken its toll, but also seen how mother nature replenishes the beach . I've raised my family by vacationing with them from the time they were toddlers to returning with them with their children and we all have agreed that it is one of the nicest beaches in the world!

We don't normally come here as it is not as close to home as other beaches. We came with some friends and had a good time. This is an Atlantic beach so the waves are stronger than on the sound.

Of all the MV beaches, this is the one that will most remind NY, NJ, and Philadelphia residents of their mid-Atlantic beaches: lots of white sand, life guards, lively surf, no boulders or pebbles. And there's almost always available parking (and port-a-potties). The weather is variable: it can be bright and sunny while cloudy at other beaches in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, but it can also be cloudy while the sun blazes elsewhere. Fun beach! (I miss the sound of transistor radios, long since replaced by ear buds and iTunes.)

Sand, no stones, good water. Toilets. Close to the bus stop.

I would like if there would be food/water counter, though.

We couldnt really go in thw water as they saw sharks. But we were able to play with waves on the shore and still get wet. The kids loved it. The waves are strong and pushes hard. Be carefull. There is no shower to rinse and this is unfortunate for non locals as we get salty and sticky skins until we get back home. Eventhough, it worthed it !

Loved our trip to Edgartown. Great picturesque spot on the East Coast. Love the landscape, terrain, boat docks and view of beautiful seaside homes. Great for lighthouse picture.

South Beach is a lovely beach with fierce waves. I'm 6'1", 230 pounds and these waves picked me up and tossed me like I was a piece of seaweed (of which the water is littered; you'll pick pieces out of all kinds of places on your body). It's fun, no question about it, but I wouldn't let young children or seniors in the water. The waves are just too strong.

This beach has a broad expanse of sand and very few rocks. It does have a strong undertow, so it is not the beach for smaller children or those who do not swim well. Plenty of parking with overflow lots a bit up the road. Next stop - Portugal.

This beach never disappoints. If you love to people watch - this is your place. The vibe is good and the people friendly.

South Beach has huge waves, great sand, and is an overall beautiful place to catch some rays. It was one of the island's filming locations of Steven Spielberg's 1975 blockbuster film, Jaws.

Just a beautiful beach and fantastic waves. Lifeguards on duty. Changing area along with porto potty.

Easy parking day we went. Clean and beautiful beach. No crowd the Friday. Nice lifeguards. Great waves. Great day.

Made even more famous by being the set for the opening scenes of the Jaws Movie where the girl goes skinny dipping at night after the beach party. Nearby airfield provides other things to look at on occasions. Just a great beach to get a tan on. Only 10 mins from Edgartown Centre.

Clean beach with toilet facilities and ample parking. Family oriented with good space to avoid being crammed. Love the surf and he fact that there are lifeguards on duty. No rocks to deal with and little seaweed to walk. Short drive from downtown. No booze! Worth a visit.

I moved to Martha's Vineyard a quarter century ago with two children in diapers. I taught them to swim at State Beach in Oak Bluffs and Eastville Beach in Vineyard Haven. But once they were confident swimming in the bathtub-calm beaches of Vineyard Sound it was time to move on to the Atlantic Ocean on the South Shore. Both of them, as well as my wife and myself, have gotten knocked down dozens of times by the waves at South Beach. If you're adventurous enough to go out far enough it will test your swimming and your nerves. But once you've conquered SWIMMING (not wading) South Beach you've conquered Martha's Vineyard.

Can't believe there are no bathrooms or portapottys anywhere near here. Very boring beach area as there is Nothing near you for miles!

If you enjoy natural beauty this is a great place to visit, even when there are single digit wind chills like the day we visited. Beautiful dunes and breathtaking views of the beach, shore, water and sun over them all. I am certain that in season it is a great place to enjoy a day at the beach.

Along the entire South shore of Martha's Vineyard there is a beautiful beach. Only in Edgartown is there public access. There is plenty of parking. You are apt to find a light surf ( some undertow), sparkling clean water and a fine sandy beach. The beach provides ample space for beach chairs and there are changing rooms. Negative: There are no rest rooms or food service.

If you want to try the beach and are in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown or Vineyard Haven, it is very easy to access. The 8 bus that runs from Church Street in Edgartown (accessible by direct bus lines that run every fifteen minutes) comes around every fifteen minutes itself and will drop you off at right or left fork (different ends of the beach). When you get off the bus there is a very well built changing area/ bathroom enclave that is separated into a man and woman section. If you were worried you'd have to juggle your sunblock while trying not to drop your cooler and get the kids flip flops on, relax here and get yourself ready for the beach itself.

If you get off at right fork, you're going to be going to a crowded beach that may make you feel like you've got no space to sit. If you get off at the left fork, you will feel like you're at a slightly less crowded beach with a little more room to sit. If you are willing to walk towards the middle of either beach, there will be a lot of dead space where you and your family can sit down and stretch out. We heard a lot of people complain about the crowding when a five minute walk would have gotten you to an open area with almost no one around you. So, get up and get moving and you'll find yourself some space.

One big thing is do NOT bring any kites. Because you are near an airfield you will often have biplanes flying over you and if you have a kite in their line of sight you can either cause an accident or get removed from the beach by the police for not obeying the many signs that tell you not to do it. The water itself is strong and a bit on the cold side (you are exposed to the full Atlantic with no other land in sight). As you walk at times you will notice that the beach drops off sharply into the water, which can be a bit intimidating if you have kids or are a bit older and don't want to fight the waves.

Definitely visit and plan to spend an hour or two soaking in some sun on a gorgeous beach with no rocks and soft sand on your feet. Just be aware of the power in front of you, the span of the ocean stretching out beyond the horizon will make you feel a bit small, and the waves are powerful the closer you get to sunset. Bring some food and you'll have a great time with your family.

Went to South Beach twice during our stay. The first time it was not the best day, kind of rainy and the beach was nearly empty. We came back the next day when it was super hot and sunny and the place was night and day, thousands of people everywhere you looked. Packed beyond packed. Regardless it was still awesome, great sand, great waves and nice people.

Really enjoyed our time at South Beach. Warmer water, wonderful sea grass and dunes, long, wide beach, lots of folks, but not over-crowded. Great parking.

I see a lot of people mentioned the waves and surfing, but that really wasn't our experience. The waves were small and the water was wonderful. Plenty of room for games, sunbathers, readers, swimmers, walkers, etc.

The water can be very rough so not so good for children. The pool may be a good option with the waves are to big. It is still wonderful to soak up the sun and listen to the waves.

South Beach could be great or terrible for you, depending on what you like. The sand and water are nice and refreshing. But surf is probably too strong for the timid, and the beach break due to the steep slope and erosion of the sand, doesn't allow great body surfing or boogie boarding. Access is about as easy as it gets on the Vineyard (less easy than State Beach), but this means it is crowded. The bus is a great way to go. Even better- bike with a nice off-road bike path most of the way from Edgartown. There is a section for vehicles on the sand, and even has a pump station for re-inflating your tires.

The color of the water are different shades of blue. It goes from dark blue to medium blue n then a turquoise color. The beach has a lifeguard in season n picnic tables. Great little beach for families, couples and singles. Too bad it's too cold now to go swimming.

We took the short bus ride from Church Street to South Beach. Disappointed that there were no showers or changing rooms, though there is a long row of portable toilets installed on a deck.
Lovely sand beach with life guards. Excellent waves for body surfing. We saw kids as young as 7 yr old on boogie boards with their parents. Bring an umbrella and lunch. No shade or snack bar.

The beach is always clean and parking is never a problem. Bathrooms are available but Purell & tissues are a must!

Boys love body boarding at this beach because of the great waves. Water cold, but it is everywhere! Get there early to pick a spot in the summer! Also, a bit of a hike from parking lot to beach, so if you have any elderly that can't make the hike, consider a different area!

Great beach for hanging out - tends to attract a younger crowd given surf. Norton point is worth an over sand permit for fishing and barbecues.

Atlantic Ocean . Rough Surf with strong undertow. Clean white sandy beach. Plenty of nearby parking is available

This was a super clean beach , excellent sand, great waves, lifeguards, and just a great family place to chill on the beach and sunbathe.Its about 9 miles to get there and there is a private airstrip close by. no complaints! The walk is like a few hundred yards from parking so pee, and or change in the shacks before going to the actual beach.

This is the beach if you want a little peace and quiet. Good for children, our granddaughter enjoyed flying her kite

This long stretch of sand is beautiful and also makes for fun people watching. Be prepared to enjoy the strong waves!

My family and I spent the week vacationing on Martha's Vineyard this July 2017. We were drawn to the Island because of its reputation for being relaxed but also fun. We certainly experienced both and spent a lot of time at South beach. The soft sand is hot during the sunny days and cool at night. The water temperature is on the cooler side but quickly becomes comfortable after a few minutes. I highly recommend visiting.

Lovely way to spend a few hours. We went by bikes hired in Edgartown which made parking a dream. Lovely beach and great to watch the biplanes flying from nearby airfield

This is the best beach on the island for waves/surf. Can be dangerous with rip tides when surf is up. A good amount of free parking and from what we saw there is an area you can drive your vehicle on the beach with the right permit. The vehicle area is away from the main beach area so no concerns/overlap from what I saw.

Beautiful white sand beach. At least in the beginning of June it feels very empty! Decent size waves.

A little too close together for my taste but pretty view. Beach is narrow so everyone is pretty close together. Liked the open beach between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs much more. Bathroom facilities near parking area. Definitely a must visit though. Great watching the planes take off from Katama Airfield nearby.

South Beach is the widest -- and the most exposed -- stretch of sand on the Vineyard. As such, it's a great place to walk, year-round, as well as swim or surf in the summer, but beware the undertow! The water gets very deep very quickly; lifeguards are on duty during the season and post warnings, as needed. Convenient public changing rooms at the "left fork" parking lot.

Get there before noon and you will have no problem finding a spot. The beach is clean. There are lifeguards. The waves were sort of big, but manageable to get in and out of the water. It is at the end of the bike trail, which is perfect. Great place to spend a few hours.

We love South Beach! The sand is great. Although, this is not a beach I recommend if you are looking for swimming. The waves can be pretty strong and can really pull you under (I would be super concerned with children there). But, with that being said, riding the waves (once you get out far enough before they break) is really a lot of fun!!

Love south beach nice large beach with plenty of room for everyone. Waves can get larger for the little ones but definitely worth a visit.

Hard to park but the walk to beach is short. Waves and current can be high and strong. Not great for young kids.

Got there very easily by bus. Beautiful clean and clear blue/green water. Was in shorts so did not swim but put my feet in the surf. Not crowded in late June on a Sunday. I love this beach!

South Beach in Edgartown is a very Long Beach. It has waves and the water can get rough. You can get there easily by bicycle or there’s plenty of parking, along the stretch of beach. The down side is that there are only out houses for bathroom facilities and there are no food trucks or any other places to get a sandwich or snack. So make sure you bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Can be very busy on a hot summer day! Pretty scenery!

Have been visiting South Beach for years and just wrapped up another trip to Martha's Vineyard so thought it was time to review one of the nicest beaches in New England. We visited the beach four days in a row and the surf ranged from 2 feet to 8 feet on those days. My kids love the surf and prefer this beach to State Beach due to the waves. When the waves are big caution needs to be observed due to some areas having an undertow and the force of the waves can knock you down and/or tumble and flip you. The waves can crash pretty close to shore. One day the waves were 8 feet and the lifeguards were rescuing people left and right. Many people are not prepared for the power of nature. The beach can be so much fun but just need to be cautious when the waves are bigger and parents need to watch their kids! There are lifeguard stations, changing areas, free parking and an area at entrance of beach on South Beach Road for off road vehicles to adjust the air pressure before traveling East on the beach. The cars travel east to a different section of the beach.

We visited many beaches on Martha's Vineyard but our family fell in love with South Beach. The beach itself was serene and expansive, the ocean was strong and at moments a force to be reckoned with....

South beach is a great beach with big waves for people who like to play in the water with lifeguards and at four o'clock you can jump off of the tower into a big sand pile tons of fun for everyone

We spent many a day body surfing at South Beach in the 70's and it hasn't changed one bit! Not too practical if you are on a day trip to the island but if you're staying a day or two it's a must!

We rode bikes here to watch the waves and sit on the beach. Very peaceful and picturesque. Easy ride from Edgartown. Probably crazy busy in the summer months.

South Beach Martha's Vineyard is justifiably famous for crisp clean water, soft sand and easy access with parking, but it is also awfully crowded. We went on a Monday and found the beach pretty full indeed. Still lovely, but not quiet...

Mid June and the water was still very cold, few people dared to go for a swim. It is clean, enjoy the view and the ocean breeze, there are no restrooms or food service. It has access in public bus.

From Edgartown, South Beach, or Katama as it's also known, offers a great beach to ride your bike to, and is a nice little loop ride (about 8 to 10 miles roundtrip, depending on where you stay in town). Bike racks are plentiful at both ends of Atlantic Ave, which also bridges bike paths. The water is swimmable, in season, but can be bracing cold. Parking and changing rooms also are available.

We liked South Beach, although if you're expecting a Caribbean type beach you'll be disappointed. Martha's Vineyard transit makes it really easy to get out there by bus (we were staying in Edgartown). Only about a 10 minute bus ride for $1.25 per person each way and the buses depart frequently. There were a lot of people on the beach when we visited but not so crowded that you can't get some space. The waves on our visit were really strong so you couldn't really get in the water very far, but they were fun to watch and to splash in . There are changing areas with Port a cans at each end of the beach. Wish there was running water so you could rinse off a little before you leave, but there's not. Also, no concessions available near the beach so make sure to take your own supplies. That said, the atmosphere is very laid back and family friendly.

I really like this beach. It's not far from Edgartown. You can ride your bike there. They have a place to go to the bathroom too.

This beach had a perfect set up. Was our favourite, having been to many in Cape Cod. Parking is free and plentiful. Good changerooms. Washrooms. Beautiful.

It was October so it was cold, but this is a nice beach. You are looking South over the ocean and the waves are bigger here. Sand is good, but sometimes rough on your feet with big pieces of rock and shell. Definitely not as nice as Florida beaches but still awesome. Water cold in early October!

We rented bikes and rode to South Beach from Edgarrtown. It's a beautiful stretch of beach. The water is freezing (even in June), but the stroll down the beach was lovely and the huge waves were breathtaking. You can find tons of shark teeth!

A great beach for everyone. There were big waves so my young kids didn't play in the ocean as much as my 5 year old but hey did play on the sand. A sign did say dogs not allowed, though I did see dogs on he beach. It was beautiful. Rocky right upon entry to the water but then really nice!

This is a lovely, long beach. Perfect for swimming, strolling or sunning. There are portable toilets, but I didn't see any showers. Easy bike parking. Car parking looks tough.

Quiet. Clean , and Off the beaten path. Kind of a cold overcast day so didn’t get to spend much time there.

We always come to the Vineyards every year end of June till after the 4th. Of July, but visit this beach just to spend a sunny ,lovely, secure and pleasant time with our grandchildren and family

So soothing for the eyes. Stayed there for almost an hour as we had little time but enjoyed being there. Easily accessible. We took the bus to reach there. Sweet memories.
Recommend

Good beach, second best on the island in my eyes. Those that think it's the best have not been to Long Point Wildlife Refuge...which is much better. Great sand, no rocks, and great waves.

If you want to hang out with the college kids this is your spot. The waves are not friendly here, the undertow can be rough too. This beach is great to sit on at night and listen to the waves, walk or fish. South Beach gets a little crazy in the summer and isn't the best beach for families or to enjoy a quiet day. This beach is best suited for the 20-something party crowd or those who want to pretend to be in that scene.

Probably the best beach we came across in Marthas Vineyard. Very soft sand and clean ocean, not much in the way of shells or sea life when we were there. Reminded me of New Jersey or east coast Florida beaches.

Easy to bike to using the bike path along Katima Road with a large bike rack at the end of the road. We were there in the morning during a weekday in August so it was very lightly populated at the time. People started streaming in around 11AM as we were packing up to leave.

We arrived at high tide to find a sliver of sand. The waves were big and beautiful. The kids, ages 5 and 9 couldn't go into the high waves but loved the breaking of the Waves around them at the edge. As the tide went out there was plenty of sand to play in, the sand was clean and the water was perfectly clear. Plenty of parking if you got there early. We arrived about 9:30 on a wed.

Parking was free. You can drive on the beach if you take the air out of your tires. Waves were AMAZING, white, clean sand. Perfect for boogie boarding, my kids (and myself) had a fabulous time jumping on the big waves and on our buggies. We left just because we ran our of snacks, and got hungry: what an experience, definitely coming back!

We experienced a nearly empty South Beach during the week in early June which certainly impacted our experience. It was calm and peaceful which allowed us to enjoy the big waves (for Cape Cod & Islands) nearly uninterrupted. However, it was very windy on the beach both days we visited, while there was no wind anywhere else on the island.

This beach is really beautiful. It stretches to what seem to be like miles. There are no food, bathrooms, and life guard but the ocean is quite a site to see. The waves are powerful so not so great for a relaxing playing in water, but some enjoy trying to catch a wave. It's a great location for a cooler say for a picnic!

The waves come all the way from Africa! The undertow can also be good too, be sure that you know what you are doing in the water!!!

Enjoy !!!

Very nice beach with some handicapped parking near the porta-potties. Generally a good idea to get there before noon, as the parking is along the road and you may have to park a ways away. Sports a dirt road to kayaking area to the right of the main entrance, to use you neyed to lower the pressure on your 4-wheel drive cars, but there is equipment to raise the pressure after you leave the road. Not a lot of room for sports, and a bit of a drop from the shore to the waves, with some stones in the water near the shore, so beach shoes are recommended.

We've been going to South Beach for 30 years and it's still as beautiful as always. The sand is great, the waves are great (but watch out for rip tides!), and the sunsets are gorgeous. But it has eroded substantially in the last 10-12 years, which makes a once spacious beach a little crowded.

Nice sand and there is parking along the road. It can get crowded on a busy day, but a walk or bike ride or drive along this beach is as pleasant and plopping down in the sand to enjoy the water.

A short ride through the country from Edgartown, this is beautiful, serene and peaceful.

It is a perfect place to avoid crowds and tourists,

Good Public Beach
Crowded
View of the Atlantic
Easy 15 minute bike ride from Edgartown
In the Katama area

Nice beach. Mornings were good but later in the afternoon, the beach got very busy and people didn’t adhere to social distancing.

South Beach is the best beach on the island for waves!!! Not great for small kids on a windy day as the surf can be tremendous but for older kids, so much fun!

Parking was available right by the entrance to the beach. Sand was perfect and very clean. Too cold to swim, so we watched the many fisherman.

park on the road, not near the parking lot entrances and you will enjoy this beach much more. The entrances tend to be over crowded but the beach itself is great

Great beach for watching the waves and listening to the roar of the ocean. We went for a beach walk on a cloudy day recently and loved watching the giant waves crash on the shore. This isn't a good beach for little kids to frolic in the water, but it's great fun for playing in the sand and enjoying mother nature. Also, it's free! It's a nice change of pace from the very calm waters but rocky sand of Menemsha Beach (our go-to beach).

We were able to enjoy great waves in a beautiful setting. The changing rooms were convenient though they, and the porta-potties could use a cover/shade!

After visiting several of the beaches in Oak Bluffs and the Menemsha public beach, I think this is the prettiest and the best to walk on. There are little to no rocks or shells and the sand doesn't heat to painful levels. You can walk for miles easily and you don't need water shoes to approach the water. The waves are very big here, so you can't just take a relaxing swim...

You can easily get here by taking the south beach bus from Edgartown but keep in mind there is no place to get food. There are porta potty's.

Easy access. Big parking lot and short walk to the ocean. Beautiful. Solitude if that’s what you are looking for. Might be crazy in the summer season.

Easy to get to, beautiful beach, but no food for purchase. Staying in Edgartown? You can easily bike here in about 12-20 minutes. Or drive. There's places to lock your bike, and parking space for cars. The beach is very large and immaculately clean.

A beautiful beach where you can just sit and enjoy the beautiful ocean. The wave and swimming. And to just sit and enjoy the little ones having a great time

Beautiful beaches. Great for the family. So quiet and peaceful. They have places to change into your bathing suit and bathrooms. Life guards are on duty.

Great location with easy access from the local bus that services 2 different drop off and pick up locations every 30 minutes at the beach. Great surf with a little undertow you need to watch for the little ones. It says you can't bring alcohol. But we kept our selves discrete with a 6 pack of cans and cookies. The sand is fine, granular and white. You can walk for miles in both directions. Life guards are on duty as well. Do not miss this beach!!

South Beach is a great beach. It is one of the places we are sure go to when we are on the Vineyard. We always recommend South Beach as one of the must visit beaches when someone goes to the Vineyard.

disclaimer - we were here the last week in June so our experience may be jaded by being pre-season. But all in all, so gorgeous, so serene and peaceful. Gentle waves for the kids to splash around in. Hardly any other people at the beach. My kind of place. Parking was a breeze.

Adjacent to KATAMA Airport (1B2) you can fly in with your plane, go to beach parking and walk across the street to the beach.

Their is a changing area. Open water so the best surf on the Island. Somewhat a steep drop-off so not the best for little children. Sand is deep and clean.

The Marthas Vineyard Bus has a loop that goes by with two stops. Probably my favorite beach, I have been coming here for 40 years.

Watch the planes, watch the seals (occasionally), watch the beach people, watch the private land guards. If you are not from the area you may not be aware, but the beach grass will have deer ticks on the tips of the grass. Avoid the grass, or if you do brush it look for the deer ticks. Its always sunny on South Beach.

Watch the Grey Lady (fog) roll in in the afternoon.

Best part, you swim on the same beach as the opening scene of JAWS. Remember the midnight swim, not advisable.

Beach was not crowded as early May is still off season. Dogs are allowed during the off-season. Really nice shoreline we had the whole beach to ourselves (the benefit of going in early May). Parking looks like it would fill up pretty was during the summer season.

Busy beach! Nicer beaches on the cape. Very windy and cold for a mid July day. Life guard on duty. He was wearing sweat pants and a hoody. We took the bus out and was there for 10 min max.

Love beach life and Martha’s Vinyard has plenty of beach life to experience! I sampled all of the beaches both public and private and I’m impressed by the cleanliness of each and every beach!!!

Love this beach. White soft sand and the water isn't that cold once you get in and over the initial shock of the cold. Waves are too crazy which is nice. Can't wait to go back!

love the wind, love the waves, like that there are lifeguards. A good beach for heartier swimmers, and training kids to deal with waves!

Surf's up! All the time at this beach. Been coming here for years, but sad to see effects of erosion and rising seas. Good family beach with plenty of free parking.

We dropped by South Beach/Katama Beach on our way from Aquinnah to Edgarton as part of our 4.5 hour blitz on the island in a rental car.  Parking is FREE!!!! I wish I had been able to figure that out ahead of time, but was happy that was the case.  (In fact, apparently ALL parking on the island is free except for the beaches out by Aquinnah.) Also, take a close look at the Satellite image on Google Maps; if you are going south toward the beach on Herring Creek Road (the west end of the beach area), you will pass three dirt parking lots on your left before you have to make the left onto Atlantic Dr. At that intersection, you can turn right into another dirt parking area and if you go to the end of that dirt lot, there is an access road to a lot that is just steps from the beach.  We were there on a Monday in late June, and we were able to park practically at the entrance to the path through the dune area, and from there it was maybe 100 feet of walking in the sand up and down a very slight rise to get to the beach.  However, where you enter the beach is at the very edge where it transitions to private property (and there are big menacing signs everywhere), so it was super packed right there and we would have had to walk some distance if we had been planning to stay for a while. The waves were nice and big and continuous, and the fact that just to the west of where we were standing was completely deserted made for great pictures. 

We went for a lovely walk on a cool, cloudy June day. We were the only ones on the beach. We did not swim, but understand there is a strong undertow.

We visited the beach during last weekend of Oct; and it felt like a private beach. Very few folks around. Beautiful waters; long beaches to take a walk. I am guessing it gets crowded during summer.

Best waves on the island,perfect for body surfing. beautiful scenery. Worth a visit, classic vineyard beach

This is hands down one of the nicest beaches in New England! Big waves and super soft sand with ZERO debris. There is even a separate section where you can deflate your tires and drive your vehicle right onto the beach! A must visit for any beach goer that visits Martha's Vineyard.

Porta-potties and changing rooms are available. It was crowded on a perfect Saturday afternoon, but still enjoyable. Parking is limited, so bike or take a moped if you can. Great place to spend a few hours! Be careful with little ones in the water. Waves are serious.

Always a great location to hang out and just walk along the beach. The beach is clean and dog friendly

Amazing beach. Great piece of america. crowded but in the most welcoming of ways. great surf. shouldn't skip if on MV.

Awesome Beach. Lots of parking. A good walk to the beach but worth it Deep sand hard to walk In Fabulous waves. Worth the drive out

Since 1971, South Beach has been my favorite beach. There are many child friendly beaches open to the public, but if you like bobbing in gentle surf, to sometimes surf, South Beach is for you.

There are life guards and changing rooms, and porta potties in the middle stretch of the beach. Busses run from Edgartown _ parking can be right.

T

Beautiful beach, warm water and amazing sand dunes. Nothing more delightful than a long watch on this spectacular beach.

...OR WHY MY RATING OF THIS BEACH IS LOWER THAN MOST.

I rate this beach AVERAGE. It is not a bad beach, up to the standard of most I saw on MARTHAS, NANTUCKET and CAPE COD, but there is nothing to lift it above this average from my point of view.

POINT OF VIEW is the key here. Some people, particularly holiday-makers who see a beach only once a year, think a big endless stretch of sand like this with sparkling water is the best in the world and will fire in a review saying the same. Lack of PERSPECTIVE can do that. Fair enough, when a surfer-grom (young learner), I thought my own local beach was the best. Broader horizons widened my perspective.
If you think this is a polite way of saying many reviewers haven’t a clue – um……...

Note too there are other far more experienced beach goers who also have a different point of view to me – they have a PREFERENCE for these big wide open beaches with a feeling of infinity and would not go for the ones I prefer (shortish beaches book-ended by headlands – the rock platforms of which might contain a pool or three, and backed by a steep forest or scrub covered hillside or mountainside). Such people will rate my preferences down while rating places like KATAMA up. Fair enough, it would be a boring world if everyone had the same taste.

MORE ON KATAMA BEACH/SOUTH BEACH
- sand was pretty fine, more golden-yellow than JAMAICAN WHITE, not much weed or shells.
- beach width above the high tide mark was not bad. But be aware this varies with storm wave attack.
- the sea was pretty benign my visit, meaning few rip-currents etc. Once again this can vary markedly. Facing the Atlantic, KATAMA Is known for big surf with the associated problems for novices. Fortunately there are LIFEGUARDS – nevertheless pay close attention to your kids, they can get into trouble so quickly. A moment’s inatttention can see junior streaking for Portugal in the rip-current de jour**. Lifegaurds may be distracted by those hot co-eds.
- parking is limited. There is safe space beside the road a bit further east but predictably, in the land of the free, NO STOPPING signs. A bus does a loop from EDGARTOWN each 40 minutes.
- this is a popular party beach and there was a group of college age kids kicking on when I visited towards sunset. Apparently party types head west on the sand, families east.
- some reviews mention magic sunsets into the sea. I think this might be around late JUNE when the sun is on its most southerly arc. In late August the sun was setting over the dunes.
- restrooms/change-rooms/showers were pretty rudimentary. I didn’t see any food concessions or beach equipment rental.
- SOUTH BEACH (WEST BRANCH). Most websites refer to KATAMA as a 3 mile strip of sand: not just the few hundred meters I accessed at the end of Katama Rd.
But I also called into WEST BRANCH at the foot of Herring Ck Rd 1 mile west of Katama Rd. It’s almost identical. I got the impression it’s less visited, but it was hard to tell so late in the day. Maybe this is the college kids’ party beach. Aircraft nerds might enjoy frequent overflies from the local small aircraft field close by. At first glance parking seems less available but there is a fair sized sandy lot off in the dunes to the right of the access rd. The beach bus also calls by on its loop.

TIPS
- I read this southern beach and dune area was a WW2 bomb range so it might be a good idea to leave the metal detector and shovel at home. And stay out of those dune areas.
- ** if caught in a rip current and exhausted simply tread water (minimal effort activity) and let it carry you out the back. Even the biggest rips dissipate less than 200m off the sand. Surfers use rips as an easy way to access “out the back”. It’s nice out there and you will soon be noticed.
Don’t try to swim against a rip, you can’t. If not exhausted swim across - rips are narrow.
Don’t try to rescue others – too many people drown trying to save friends and family – alert the lifeguards who have rescue and surf skills.

It is obviously not a secret this is the best public beach on Martha's Vineyard. It's the reason homes near it go for over $10 million a pop.

We've been coming here since our kids were young, they love this beach. It's a long beach so if you're 20 something, or a family, or a couple looking for some quiet book reading there is a stretch of beach for you. Be forewarned this isn't a great spot for small children given the big waves and frequent strong undertow.

Spent the afternoon here. The beach is very clean. There are 2 lifeguard stations. Thoroughly enjoyed playing in the waves. The water was warm. Wish I could have stayed longer.

The sand here is very comfortable, soft and fine, no rocks at all unless you walk into the water. The current is very strong, little children (7 and under) cannot go into the water on their own. Other than that, we had a great time and the kids still enjoyed playing in the water with adult supervision.

The water was clean and beautiful, the sand was softer (not shelly like most of the MV beaches), and it's large. The bathrooms aka: Port-a-potties were kept clean and there are some changing rooms at the main entrance. The surf was quite strong and there is quite a dip once you get into the water. This might be a tricky beach for those who are beginner swimmers.

We took an Uber and Uber was doing a promotion #uberbeachbag - we got a free bag filled with goodies for the beach! However the bus will take you there too. Consider getting an all-day bus pass if you are going to be transferring busses and getting on & off for the day.

I have visited 4 beaches on the island so far this week. By far, this was the nicest one.
Soft sand, very little seaweed, and decent waves. There’s also places to change & go to the bathroom.
I recommend you make a right on Atlantic Ave & drive down approximately a half mile. The parking there is less crowded and there are paths to cut through the dunes right to the beach.

A lovely place to see the sunset after the crowds are gone. take pics. lie on the sand. enjoy the good life

This is a great beach, a few miles south of Edgartown. There are changing rooms in 3 locations (less than half a mile apart) but the powers-that-be remove the porta potties after Labor Day. If you've driven down from Edgartown for the day, at one of the nicest times of year on the Vineyard, you've got a problem.

My husband and I bicycled to South Beach from our lovely hotel in Edgartown; it was only three and a half miles each way and the beach is beautifully maintained and tidy. We stopped at the Katama General Store on our way back and bicycled by the Airfield which was also a thrill. The only thing is I recommend being very careful if you go swimming; the rip current is extremely strong and it did throw me around before I crawled back onto the shore.

The beach was worth a visit. The sea grass growing at the top of the dunes showcase that East coast beach vibe. It's a good beach to sit and relax.

This beach is nice and sandy with huge waves. The water is strong and there are rip currents. There is a lifeguard on duty. This was the best beach I visited on the island. Parking was plenty. There is a small walk. No bathrooms. That I saw.

One of the best beaches in New England. Clean. No rocks. Good waves. Parking is available. No food so bring your own.

We were visiting Matha's vineyard in August, around the same time as the Obama's, the whole Island was filled with police cards and secret service. The president was having dinner with his daughters a few blocks away from the beach which was amazing! Now the beach itself is beautiful, a few rocks but the sunset was absolutely breathtaking. Side note: if your visiting the island make sure to have some fish and chips, very fresh and delicious

We visited this beach early in the morning, during our stay at the Winnetu. We were the only people there, so were able to enjoy the beautiful surf, the soft sand, and the ocean sounds. The sand was completely free of rocks and shells. It is not a swimming beach, but the water was just beautiful. The surf was strong there, so the sound and visuals are amazing.

This is a great beach, it was huge, never once felt crowded. The sand was soft and never too much seaweed washed ashore.

This is the beach we take the kids/grandkids to that are good swimmers - beginners/youngsters are better off at state beach. There's parking and bathrooms which come in very handy. Lifeguards are on duty as well. The waves here are usually great and will entertain the kids for hours! We've seen seals at this beach sticking their heads up. Never seen anyone acting out-best beach on the island.

This beach really fills up, and parking. Although free, can be challenging. Great surf, very few shells.

Beautiful beach, mostly clean and pretty quiet. There are bathrooms there and lots of parking. Definitely make a point to check out the sunsets from there.

The ticks!!! Yikes! Be aware before you decide to lay out yor towels and beach bags. It was an infestation. Who knew a beach could have so many ticks? We were enjoying the ocean breezes and the wonderful sunlight and upon adjusting our position on our beach towels, we noticed not one but a multitude of ticks. Imagine the ick factor. It's both gross and a public health concern. Yet, there are no warnings about it; just sharks.

Wow lovely. A little windy but still nice and warm even at this time of year.Got off the number 8 bus from Edgartown at Right fork. Took a slow walk along the beach and then got back on the next scheduled number 8 bus back into town

I have been to most of the beaches of the Vineyard now and like them all. This one stands out for two reasons. Less biting insects and water that excites. More dangerous than the other beaches because of the waves and undertow but with proper supervision a lot of fun. Go early to get parking or expect to wait. Look for seals and other sea life. Bring binoculars. Enjoy!

Although it was not beach weather during our recent visit, South Beach is still very nice. If you like waves and surf conditions, this is your beach. Be careful of riptide and rough surf on pre-storm days. There are toilet and change stations available

A favorite of many travelers, this beach has golden sands and wavy oceans to satisfy all beach-goers. There are no amenities so pack a cooler with food and drink for the day and head out to for a total beach day. There are changing rooms and toilets off beach and bus access is brilliant, with buses running from Edgartown every 30 mins.

If you want to let the air out of your tires and roll on down the beach, you can do that too....maybe a spot of nude sunbathing far from prying eyes??

Most people don't go to the beach unless they have a car. It's too far to walk from any town but is doable with a bike but then you have to carry all your beach stuff with you on the bike...UGH! The beach is clean and wide with pristine white sand and hardly any visitors...in the Fall anyway. Plenty of sun and wide open spaces. We loved it!

Quiet this time of year, miles and miles of beach and dunes only! We had the entire beach, almost, to ourselves. Easy access, clean.

Parking is limited so advise to go early but definitely worth it. The sands/dunes are what you would expect from this area. Very clean and not too crowded. Go prepared with drinks/snacks etc as there are no cafés near but that's the beauty of it as it's unspoilt.

Its even better off season in my opinion. We were on the Vineyard for the week up to Labor Day. By Labor Day afternoon there were only a few people on the beach. Prior to that... mobbed. Even so... an amzing beach with grave waves is just a short skip over a small dune. Beware of the gulls... thieves they are!

Our favourite beach on the vineyard. The waves are great and can be a challenge for little kids but great fun to body surf and lots of beach to play on. It never seems to be overly crowded.