Fuller Street Beach, Edgartown: Visitors Guide

Fast Facts about Fuller Street Beach

📌 Private/Public: Public
📍 Address: Fuller Street Beach Edgartown MA
💲 Cost: Free
🅿️ Parking: 6-8 spaces
🛟 Amenities: Bike Stand
🩴 Best for: families with small children
🚫 Not suitable for: Thrill-seekers
🐶 Dogs allowed?: Yes – leashed at all times

Fuller Street Beach is a public beach in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a sandy beach, mixed with broken shells and some seaweed. The beautiful clear water is usually very calm. 

The waters are sheltered, (being on Nantucket Sound) and protected by the curve of Chappaquiddick island and Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge which you can see in the distance. Strong currents or rip currents are not common

Because this beach is sheltered, we have felt biting insects on occasion and there is no wind to keep them away. We’ve noticed this mostly after a big rain shower or very early in the morning when the sand is damp.

Best time to visit Fuller Street Beach

The best time to visit this beach is in the summer months because the sun is shining and the weather is ideal for beach activities and swimming. In the summer, we enjoy going there in the evenings because it’s less crowded and a little cooler than in the middle of the day.

Because the beach is located in Edgartown and East-facing, it’s a wonderful place to catch a breathtaking Martha’s Vineyard sunrise.

Another good time to visit is late spring/early summer because there are less people around. As a small beach right in town, it is very popular during the summer months and parking is extremely difficult. Off-season makes for a more peaceful, easy visit.

How to get to Fuller Street Beach

You can get to the beach by car, bus or bike. 

The closest bus stop is at Church street in Edgartown Village which is a 15 minute walk away. Routes 1, 6, 11, 13 and 8 serve this stop

For cyclists, there are bike paths on many routes into Edgartown but once you get into the main downtown area, you will share the road with car traffic. There is no bike path directly to the beach.

The streets are narrow and it’s better to walk your bike in parts. At the beach entrance, there is a bike stand where you can secure your bike. Here are the cycle times from other island towns:

Coming from Edgartown, you can actually walk to this beach really easily. It is located in the downtown area so you don’t really need a car.

However, if you do want to drive, it’s important to note that Fuller street itself is mostly one-way, leading AWAY from the beach. So, you should take North Water st, leading to Starbuck Neck Road and that will bring you to the very end of Fuller street where you can park.

Fuller Street Beach parking

Parking is available right on Fuller Street which comes to a dead-end at the beach entrance. There is only space for about 6-8 cars and it’s usually very difficult to find a spot in the peak summer season. This is another reason we like to visit in the evenings. 

Parking is free. Driving on the sand is not allowed. There is no significant walk from the parking area to the beach. If you cannot find a spot, you can try to park along North Water street and walk for about 10 minutes. 

Alternatively, you can take an Uber or taxi to avoid any issues with finding parking.

Amenities

There are no bathroom facilities or other significant amenities available. There are no lifeguards on duty and no accessibility aids or accommodations for wheelchair users. 

Things to do near Fuller Street Beach

As the beach is located right in downtown Edgartown, there are lots of activities to do in the area. You’re just a few minutes walk from the Edgartown Lighthouse as the beach connects with Lighthouse beach so you can walk along the sand to get there.

You’re also not far from popular spots like Bettini, The Newes from America and the family-friendly restaurant, The Seafood Shanty. There are plenty of stores nearby where you can pick up snacks, drinks or lunch to bring with you to the beach.

Who is Fuller Street Beach best for?

Fuller Street Beach is best for families with small children because the waves are very calm and it’s shallow enough for young kids to stand comfortably at the water’s edge.

However, there are a good few large stones underfoot as you enter the water which can make it difficult to stay balanced while moving around.

Are dogs allowed on Fuller Street Beach? Yes, Fuller St beach is dog-friendly which makes it ideal for anyone visiting Edgartown with their pet. It’s an easy walk from downtown hotels to the beach. Dogs must be leashed at all times on the beach.

It’s also ideal for anyone visiting Martha’s Vineyard without a car because of its in-town location. You’ll need a car or bike to get to a lot of the Vineyard beaches, but this one is within an easy walk of most Edgartown hotels.

I don’t recommend this beach for thrill-seekers because you won’t find any big waves for surfing here.

Hotels near Fuller Street Beach

The closest hotel is The Harborview Hotel. It’s just a 6 minute walk. Other hotels close by:

13 minute walk – Vineyard Square hotel, The Coco and Faraway Martha’s Vineyard

15 minute walk – The Harborside Inn

🤩 Search for vacation rentals near Fuller Street Beach

Other Edgartown Beaches

• Lighthouse Beach
• South Beach/Katama Beach
• State Beach (partially in Edgartown and partially in Oak Bluffs)
• Bend in the Road Beach
• Chappquiddick Beach
• East Beach
• Norton Point (OSV pass required to drive on the beach)

Should I visit this Edgartown Beach?

In summary, Fuller Street Beach is a charming, dog-friendly and family-friendly destination, perfect for those seeking an in-town beach experience on Martha’s Vineyard.

Its calm waters and shallow shores make it ideal for young children. The proximity to Edgartown’s downtown offers easy access to local hotels, shops and restaurants, making it a convenient choice for those without a car.

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