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5 Best Martha’s Vineyard Bus Tours
Want to see all of Martha’s Vineyard without the stress of driving? A guided bus tour is the easiest way to do it. These tours are perfect if you’re visiting for the day, traveling without a car, or just want to relax while someone else shows you around.
Finding the right Martha’s Vineyard sightseeing tour can be overwhelming with so many options. I’ve taken several bus tours during my years of traveling and have learned what separates an excellent tour from a terrible one.
Here are 5 of the best Martha’s Vineyard bus tours, including departure points, duration, and tips for booking. Whether you’re staying in Oak Bluffs or just off the ferry, these picks cover all the island highlights.
*** Note: Most tours are only available seasonally (May to October) so if you are reading this post outside of that time, the links may not lead you to a booking page.***
My Top 3 Picks:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Martha’s Vineyard private 4-hr bus tour
✅ Customizable Itinerary
✅ Private Tour
✅ Pickup from Anywhere
Private Guided Martha’s Vineyard 3-hr Bus Tour
✅ Private Tour
✅ 2 stops
✅ Covers all major attractions
1. Martha’s Vineyard 4-Hour all-island Bus tour (Private)
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 | ⏳ DURATION: 4 hrs | 📍 PICKUP: Anywhere | ✅ Book it!
🥇 Best For: First time visitors who want to see it all
⏳Duration: 4 Hours
💲 Price: $480 for up to 6 people. $40 per additional passenger (up to 10)
⛔ Public/Private: Private
🚐 Max. Passengers: 10
📍 Departure point: Pickup from location of your choice
⏰ Departure Time(s): 10 am and 2pm daily (in high season)
If you’re planning your first visit and want a comprehensive and quick overview of the island, book this 4 hour Martha’s Vineyard private tour.
You’ll see all six towns and iconic Vineyard locations like the Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs and the Flying Horses Carousel (the nation’s oldest operating carousel).
You’ll drive by the elegant homes and the picturesque Lighthouse in Edgartown and pass through the historic farming towns of West Tisbury and Chilmark. The tour stops to allow you to take in the panoramic views at the breathtaking, 200-foot clay cliffs in Aquinnah.
Don’t miss this opportunity to have lunch at a restaurant in the fishing village of Menemsha, renowned for having the best and freshest seafood on the island. The village is also famous as a filming location for the movie JAWS.
3 hour bus tours of Martha’s Vineyard are also available, but in my experience, 3 hours is not a lot of time to sightsee around the whole island, especially with summer crowds and traffic.
A 4 hour tour means a reasonably relaxed pace, with more frequent and longer stops, allowing you to thoroughly explore and enjoy each destination.
The tour itinerary is incredibly flexible and can be customized for your group. You can add a visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, an art gallery or even a beach (towels are provided!)
Stop for some shopping, see an amazing island sunset or extend your tour by a couple of hours to incorporate the island of Chappaquiddick.
The guides are local and have a deep knowledge of the history and culture of the island. The tour is fully narrated.
I love that you can easily make your tour reservation online, choose from morning or afternoon departure times and arrange for the driver to pick you up at a location of your choice.
As this is a private tour that can accommodate up to 10 people, it’s great for families or friend groups but not as affordable for solo travellers or couples.
“Our guide Rich was fantastic! Perfect! He was interesting, enthusiastic, & funny. As a lifelong resident of Martha’s Vineyard, he had so much knowledge about his home. He seemed to be casually talking, rather than giving a canned tour. I feel like he knows all of the 25,000 year round residents. When we scheduled the tour, we were hoping to hear about local lore regarding celebrities and backstory about filming Jaws. We got all of that and more. The tour covered the entire island and included history of the Europeans and original inhabitants” -Thewhig. (Read more reviews)
2. Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island (3hrs)
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours 📍 PICKUP: Anywhere | ✅ Book it!
🥇 Best For: First-time visitors who want a hands-off planning experience and fixed itinerary
⏳Duration: 3 Hours
💲 Price: $360 for up to 6 people. $30 per additional passenger (up to 10)
⛔ Public/Private: Private
🚐 Max. Passengers: 10
📍 Departure point: A location of your choice
⏰ Departure Time(s): 10.30am and 2pm daily (in high season)
This bus tour is the 3-hour version of the 4-hour tour described above. You’ll still visit Oak Bluffs’ Victorian gingerbread cottages, Edgartown’s whaling captains’ homes, drive over the famous JAWS bridge and pass through Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury. In Chilmark, you’ll stop at quaint Menemsha fishing village, and also have a brief stop at the breathtaking Aquinnah Cliffs.
This private option is ideal for families with young children who may find a shorter tour more enjoyable and engaging.
Another benefit to this tour, is that price-wise, for a large group, the math works in your favor. The private tour costs the same as the public version for up to 6 people ($360 total), but beyond that, it’s only $30 extra per additional person compared to $60 per person on the public tour. For groups of 7 or more, you’re actually saving money while getting a premium experience.
I also recommend this tour because it is substantially cheaper than other private, 3-hour tours on the island. Other providers charge almost double the 6-person price of this tour but only allow a max of 5 people.
However, while you get some of the benefits of a private tour, the 3-hour timeframe still limits customization options. If you want full control over your itinerary and stops, you would be better off springing for the 4-hour private tour that offers much more flexibility.
“Dave Alton was our tour guide and driver and was such a wonderful storyteller. As a longtime resident of Martha’s Vineyard, he was incredibly knowledgeable and made for an entertaining three hours touring and learning about MV. Would highly recommend this particular tour and Dave Alton!” -Christy P. (Read more reviews)
3. Martha’s Vineyard Shared Bus Tour from Oak Bluffs
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours 📍 PICKUP: Oak Bluffs | ✅ Book it!
🥇 Best For: Visitors on a budget
⏳Duration: 3 hours
💲 Price: $60 per person
⛔ Public/Private: Public
🚐 Max. Passengers: 14
📍 Departure point: Oak Bluffs, opposite Steamship Authority ferry terminal
⏰ Departure Time(s): Daily, 10.30am and 2pm (in high season)
This is a 3-hour Martha’s Vineyard tour from Oak Bluffs. You’ll see the unique Victorian gingerbread cottages and the historic Flying Horse Carousel. Next, you’ll get to enjoy the classic beauty of Edgartown, with its well-preserved whaling captains’ homes and the charming Old Whaling Church.
The tour also takes you over the famous bridge from the movie JAWS as well as through Vineyard Haven, the island’s main port.
You’ll pass by the rolling hills and stone walls in the rural towns of West Tisbury and Chilmark then it’s a quick but scenic drive to Menemsha, a quaint fishing village. Finally you’ll travel to the breathtaking Aquinnah Cliffs for a short stop.
The benefits of this tour are that it covers all major areas of Martha’s Vineyard, providing a full island experience in just 3 hours and you will learn a huge amount about the island because of the extensive narration (2.5 hours of the tour is narrated)
The tour itinerary is efficient so it’s ideal for those with limited time and those who have limited mobility or don’t want to get out of the bus to explore on foot. I’d recommend this tour if you’re a first-time visitor who wants to identify spots you can plan to revisit.
It’s also bookable online, budget-friendly and the pickup point is centrally located. Because this Martha’s Vineyard tour departs from Oak Bluffs, it’s ideal for those coming on a day trip.
The booking page includes walking directions from each ferry dock (Island Queen, Seastreak, Hy-line, Rhode Island Fast Ferry) to the tour pick-up point.
However, with only a single stop and limited time there, this is essentially a driving tour of the island. In my view, each of the locations on the tour is worth spending some time at and not being able to stop and explore may be frustrating for some.
Additionally, the age restriction excludes families with young children so keep this in mind if you have under 10’s in your group.
This is a public tour so it is more affordable than others on this list, however, you will be in a larger group as a result. If you have lots of questions for the guide, you may not get the personal attention that a private tour would offer.
There are two reasons I recommend this tour over other public tours. Firstly, the bus takes 14 passengers max and while this is a big number, it is not as big as other companies who carry 30 – 40 passengers on their public tours.
Secondly, there are no minimum passenger numbers required. Some other island tour companies reserve the right to cancel your tour with one day’s notice if passenger minimums have not been met.
This would be hugely disappointing for day trip visitors who would then have to scramble to find another tour on the day they arrive.
“We really enjoyed this tour. We saw the main highlights of the island and there were photo opportunities too in a couple of places. Our guide, JP was super and gave us some additional tips and suggestions on what to do with the rest of the day. Would highly recommend this tour.” -Stay715112 (Read more reviews)
4. Specialty Martha’s Vineyard Guided Bus Tours
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3-4 hours 📍 PICKUP: Anywhere
🥇 Best For: Previous visitors who want to see Martha’s Vineyard through a new lens
⏳Duration: usually 3 – 4 hours
💲 Price: from $360
⛔ Public/Private: Private
🚐 Max. Passengers: 10
📍 Departure point: Pickup from location of your choice
⏰ Departure Time(s): variable
If you are a regular visitor, already familiar with the major attractions and highlights, take a tour that is more tailored to your specific interests. Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transportation offers a variety of diverse tours:
- Beach Walks Bus Tour. Visit various island beaches, stroll along the shoreline, look for beach glass, stop for a picnic and hear about the history of the beach. Could include stops at Lobsterville beach, Inkwell Beach, Aquinnah Beach, South Beach and others
- Art Bus Tour. Visit up to 8 different galleries and make a stop at the Chilmark Flea Market
- Family Fun Bus Tour. Visit child-friendly attractions like the alpaca farm, Flying Horses Carousel and Katama Airfield
- Farm & Field Bus Tour. See some local farms. There are over 40 on the island!
- African American Heritage Bus Tour. Visit important sites connected with the civil rights movement, the national underground railroad network in Massachusetts and the formation of the NAACP on Martha’s Vineyard.
- Jaws Movie Location Bus Tour. Travel to famous filming locations on the island.
The benefit of these Martha’s Vineyard van tours is that they take you to places not usually visited on all-island tours. They’re customizable so you can tailor them to your group and private so you’ll have personal attention that you don’t get on a public tour.
Public tours usually don’t allow kids under the age of 10 or 12 but these private tours have no age limit.
Customized private tours are available year-round, unlike the public ones so if you’re visiting off season, this is a great option. You can make a reservation online and the tours are fully narrated by a local guide.
“The tour was amazing! Dave knew all the buildings in Martha’s vineyard and everyone in the movie! we loved every minute finding out all about Martha’s Vineyard! Thank you Dave! the jump off the bridge was invigorating! a bucket list item achieved!” -Marie L. (Read more reviews)
🤩 Check Prices and Availability – African American Heritage Bus Tour
🤩 Check Prices and Availability – JAWS Bus Tour
🤩 Check Prices and Availability – Family Fun Bus Tour
5. Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island (2hrs)
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours 📍 PICKUP: Anywhere | ✅ Book it!
🥇 Best For: Day-trippers to the island or those with very limited time
⏳Duration: 2 hours
💲 Price: $525
⛔ Public/Private: Private
🚐 Max. Passengers: 4
📍 Departure point: Pickup from location of your choice
⏰ Departure Time(s): 10.30am, 2pm, 5pm daily (in high season)
If you’re looking for a whirlwind tour of the island, this is the one for you! For a brief yet immersive experience, it efficiently covers the 3 “down-island” towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven.
You’ll drive through historic Vineyard Haven, past the harbor and West Chop Lighthouse before heading to Edgartown.
You’ll see the beautiful homes that overlook the Atlantic shoreline of South Beach (Katama Beach) and hear a little about the famous people who summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Next, you’ll drive down Edgartown’s charming main street and see the magnificent Old Whaling Church.
There’ll be a brief stop at the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse before driving past Sengekontacket Pond, Joseph Sylvia State beach and Jaws bridge and arriving in Oak Bluffs. Here you’ll pass by the town’s colorful Gingerbread cottages and stop briefly for photos.
This tour is ideal for those who are very short on time (eg, on a quick Martha’s Vineyard day trip) but want to get a flavor of the island, with stops at key sights and commentary on the area’s famous residents.
I’d recommend the two hour tour only if your time on the island is extremely limited. While you will get a taste of what Martha’s Vineyard has to offer, this short tour entirely skips some of the most stunning scenery, epic seafood and gorgeous beaches in the other 3 towns on the island
A big pro of this tour is the convenience of choosing your pickup location, which is perfect for visitors without their own transport.
The tour has an efficient itinerary designed to maximize time but this means it’s not really suitable for anyone looking for a leisurely paced tour with long stops for exploring and taking pictures. One thing to know before you book, customizations to the itinerary are not allowed.
As this is a private tour, you can expect personalized attention due to the small group size. You won’t have to navigate a large tour group as on a public tour, but it is a more expensive option because of this. In fact, the cost of this tour is significantly higher than other longer, private tours on the market.
“We had limited time and found the afternoon tour fit our schedule perfectly. We had a nice time learning about the main towns and stopped at some amazing places for photos. Our kids loved JAWS BRIDGE!!” -IngisKites (Read more reviews)
Need a tour that includes transport to and from the island?
Final Thoughts on Martha’s vineyard Bus Tours
Prefer a different style of tour? Martha’s Vineyard also offers walking tours, bi-plane tours, sailing tours and kayak tours – but for a first-time visitor, a bus tour is the most convenient way to see the whole island
Save yourself the pain of dealing with traffic, navigating unfamiliar roads and finding parking. Sit back and look forward to insider stories and island history that you can’t get from a book or a website.
My top pick is the 4 hour private bus tour because that’s an ideal amount of time to see all the key sights, the itinerary is customimzable and your guide is an expert on the history and culture of the island. The tour company (Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transportation) is consistently one of the highest rated on the island with thousands of great reviews.
My final tip before you book a guided tour of Martha’s Vineyard is to have firm plans or reserved tickets for getting to the island BEFORE you book a tour. Familiarise yourself with the cancellation policies just in case your travel plans change.
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FAQs About Martha’s Vineyard Bus Tours
How much is the tour for Martha’s Vineyard?
The cost of Martha’s Vineyard tours varies, with private bus tours typically ranging from $360 to $800 depending on duration and group size. Public tours are available from around $60 per person
Does Martha’s Vineyard have shuttles?
Yes, The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority has shuttle bus services that provide transportation between major landmarks, ferry terminals, the airport and downtown areas on the island.
Is 1 day enough for Martha’s Vineyard?
One day on Martha’s Vineyard can be enough to see highlights, but multiple days allow for a more relaxed and thorough exploration. 3-5 days is an ideal amount of time to see most of the island.
What is the best tour of Martha’s Vineyard?
The best tour of Martha’s Vineyard is the private, 4-hour full island bus tour, which covers all six towns and significant landmarks with enough time for stops and exploration.
How long is the Martha’s Vineyard bus tour?
The length of Martha’s Vineyard bus tours varies; common options for private tours are 2, 3, or 4 hours long. Most public tours are 3 hours long.
Is there a Martha’s Vineyard hop on hop off bus tour?
No traditional hop on hop off tours exist on Martha’s Vineyard. The closest option is to use the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) which connects all six towns but operates as regular public transit rather than a tourist hop-on/hop-off service.
Is there a Martha’s Vineyard trolley tour?
Yes, MV Sightseeing offers a trolley tour. The tour visits four of the six island towns and takes approximately 2.5 hours, including a one-hour stop downtown Edgartown.
Where do Martha’s Vineyard tours depart from?
Most Martha’s Vineyard bus tours leave from Oak Bluffs, near the ferry terminal. Private tours will usually collect you from your hotel or any location of your choosing
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Read More about tours and things to do on Martha’s Vineyard:
- Martha’s Vineyard Travel Guide
- Our Martha’s Vineyard Sailboat Charter: A New Family Favorite
- 6 Best Martha’s Vineyard Kayak Tours (2024)
- 5 Best Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Tours (2024)
- How to Get Around Martha’s Vineyard: Do you need a car?
- Martha’s Vineyard in August: 13 unmissable summer events
- Martha’s Vineyard in May: 12 Enticing Reasons to Visit
- The 24 BEST Martha’s Vineyard Rainy day activities (2024)
- Is Vineyard Haven a Dry Town? Liquor Laws on The Vineyard
- 9 Unmissable Things To Do On Chappaquiddick for a day trip
