By land or by sea, the great outdoors beckons in the seaside paradise of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. This natural New England beauty is incredibly scenic, with a rugged coastline and golden dunes, surrounded by the mesmerising blue-grey expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. From kayaking across the yacht-filled waters of Nantucket Harbor to oceanfront golf on Martha’s Vineyard, here are six of the best activities to enjoy Cape Cod and the Islands.
1. Set sail on Cape Cod
Sailing is an iconic New England pastime, and Cape Cod is one of the best places for people to master their nautical know-how. Visitors needn’t be America’s Cup-ready to set sail here — the coastline is navigable for novices looking to sail on their own or learn from an experienced crew. Falmouth, on the north side of the island, is home to placid waters and programmes designed to enhance the sailing prowess of children and adults alike — from individual lessons by Falmouth Harbor to all-women clinics on Buzzards Bay.
2. Whale watch on Cape Cod
Wildlife lovers should follow the ‘arm’ of Cape Cod’s peninsula north to Provincetown, where the first recreational whale-watching in the US originated on the East Coast. Whales are an integral part of Cape Cod’s history and economy, and seeing one in the wild is magical. Cape Cod was established as a whaling community in the early 17th century, but the ever-present humpback whales were almost extinct in the 1960s during an era of commercial whaling. In 1986, a temporary ban was put in place to allow whale stocks to replenish, which is still in place today. Thankfully, they can be spotted today on sailing cruises to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is also a popular feeding ground for fin and minke whales. Peak season is from May to October, and if you’re lucky, you can also spot whales from the shore at Race Point Beach, the northernmost tip of Cape Cod.
3. Hike on Martha's Vineyard
Wide open spaces await amid sprawling meadows, rolling hills and 124 miles of unspoiled seaside on Martha’s Vineyard. An excellent way of exploring this island is by foot — it’s a wonderland of walking trails, with more than 220 miles of forest tracks, cliffside hikes and seaside paths. Though the island may seem quaint, Martha’s Vineyard is the third-largest island on the East Coast, and 40% of its land is protected, making the island a haven for threatened wildlife.
Birdwatchers are sure to enjoy a morning walk in Edgartown’s Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary or amid the 600-plus acres of dunes and woodlands in Vineyard Haven’s Long Point Wildlife Refuge. The Aquinnah Cliffs also have an excellent trail leading to Gay Head Lighthouse along Moshup Beach, while the 311-ft summit of Peaked Hill in Chilmark, renowned for being a Second World War military lookout, offers beautiful vistas.
4. Play golf on Martha’s Vineyard
Hit the links on Martha’s Vineyard, home to an enticing selection of golf courses available to locals and day-trippers alike — no club membership necessary. Head out to the idyllic island of Chappaquiddick for nine holes at The Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links (otherwise known as the Royal Chappy). Don’t let the name fool you — this establishment is anything but uptight and the shorter course allows visitors to spend the remainder of their afternoon exploring the rustic surroundings. For a more upscale outline, Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs is a championship-level course favoured by the Obamas, which has pristine views of the Nantucket Sound. Luckily, the club is only semi-private, so you needn’t have the presidential seal of approval to gain entry.
5. Kayak on Nantucket
Nantucket is the best place to take to the sea and be seen, so downtown Nantucket Harbor is, unsurprisingly, a diverting locale for kayakers. Enjoy the terrific people-watching (a classic Nantucket pastime) as you navigate among the mega-yachts and classic sailboats, and take in the Brand Point Lighthouse. Calmer tides await at Sesachacha Pond near Quidnet Beach, where the brackish, shallow water is a paddlers’ paradise — stand-up paddleboarding included. A freshwater oasis awaits kayakers and birders alike at the 132-acre Long Pond in the wetlands of the island’s west side.
6. Cycle on Nantucket
Only 14 miles long and home to more than 35 miles of bike paths, Nantucket is the perfect spot for biking. It’s not very hilly and the ocean breeze renders the conditions ideal. Plus, it’s the best way to beat the high-season traffic that clogs the roads every July and August — rendering the one-mile Town Lane path downtown is especially valuable. Sconset Path is a scenic, six-mile journey to the island’s eastern end, passing cranberry bogs and hydrangea-adorned Cape Cod houses. Madaket Road Path, on the island's western side, has one of the longer bike trails on Nantucket and it is also one of the most rewarding, especially when you arrive at the marvellously secluded Madaket Beach.
Plan your trip
Fly from Gatwick or Heathrow to Boston, New York or Washington, DC, all of which offer regular flights to Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Travel between Cape Cod and the Islands is possible on ferries operated by Hy-Line Cruises, the Steamship Authority and the Island Queen, or via short flights. For more information, visit mvy.com
This paid content article was created for Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as a joint initiative with Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic,National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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