Port information & tips for Kupreanof Island (AK)
Oak Bluffs is the charming jewel of the legendary island of Martha's Vineyard and delights visitors with its nostalgic Victorian charm and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. The famous colorful Gingerbread Cottages in the Campground district transport guests directly into a fairytale world, while the historic Flying Horses Carousel, as America's oldest carousel, fascinates young and old alike. The expansive Ocean Park also invites you to linger by the sea and offers a magnificent view of the Atlantic thanks to its location. Cruise ships usually use the Oak Bluffs Town Wharf as a central pier for tender boats, from where the lively shopping streets of Circuit Avenue and the vibrant center are easily accessible in just a few minutes on foot.
Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard is a charming island destination that is primarily accessible from the DACH region via a combination of flight and ferry. As there is no direct bridge connection to the island, the ferry crossing is a central part of the journey. Cruise ships cannot dock directly in Oak Bluffs, so passengers are usually tendered ashore.
Airplane
The nearest airport on the island is Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY) in West Tisbury, located about 3 miles south of Vineyard Haven. MVY offers year-round direct flights from Boston (BOS) with Cape Air, as well as seasonal connections from New York (JFK, LGA, HPN), Washington D.C. (DCA), and other cities in the USA, including JetBlue and American Airlines. The flight time from Boston is approximately 30-40 minutes. Taxis, rental cars, and the public VTA bus are available for onward travel from MVY airport on the island. The larger international airports, Boston Logan (BOS) and Providence T.F. Green (PVD), are located on the mainland, approximately 85 miles and 44 miles away respectively, and are the main arrival points for international guests.
Ferry & Transfer
The most popular method of reaching Martha's Vineyard is by ferry from the mainland in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. The Steamship Authority offers year-round car and passenger ferry service from Woods Hole (Cape Cod) to Vineyard Haven and seasonally to Oak Bluffs. The crossing from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard takes about 45 minutes. Reservations are absolutely required for vehicles, especially in high season, as they book up quickly. There is no direct parking at the Woods Hole terminal; you must use the Steamship Authority's external parking lots in Falmouth or Cataumet and take a free shuttle to the terminal. Plan at least one additional hour for this. Other seasonal passenger ferries operate from Falmouth (Island Queen, approx. 35 minutes travel time), Hyannis (Hy-Line Cruises, approx. 55 minutes), New Bedford (Seastreak), and Quonset Point, Rhode Island (Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry, approx. 75 minutes) directly to Oak Bluffs. From Boston Logan Airport (BOS), you can easily reach the Woods Hole ferry port by bus with Peter Pan Bus Lines or Plymouth & Brockton in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The CapeFLYER train runs seasonally on weekends from Boston to Bourne, where a free shuttle to the Woods Hole terminal is offered. From Providence T.F. Green Airport (PVD), transfer options via taxi, Uber, or Lyft are available to the ferry terminal in Quonset Point, which is only about 15 minutes away.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long journey from the DACH region with long-haul flights, we recommend staying overnight on the mainland, for example in Boston or near a ferry terminal such as Woods Hole or Hyannis. This allows for a relaxed start to your cruise vacation and provides a sufficient buffer for potential travel delays. Alternatively, a pre-cruise overnight stay directly on Martha's Vineyard in Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven is an attractive option to explore the island before embarkation. Plan your trip carefully in the high season, as hotels and ferry tickets can book up quickly.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your arrival at the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time – depending on the cruise line and destination – is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as port stay and departure times can change at short notice.
