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5 Best Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Tours (2024)
From Guided Boat Expeditions To Walking Tours, I’ve got you covered with Five Of The Best Jaws Tours In Martha’s Vineyard.
Martha’s Vineyard, has long been synonymous with one of cinema’s most iconic thrillers – Jaws. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece not only left an indelible mark on the world of film making but also put this charming island firmly on the map for movie enthusiasts.
I’ve been visiting Martha’s Vineyard since 1999 and I’m a huge film-fan, so I’ve been to nearly every Jaws filming location on the island. I even got my marriage licence at the Amity Island Town Hall! The real Town Hall in Edgartown was used for that location.
It’s really easy to find and visit all the locations on Martha’s Vineyard where Jaws was filmed, but if you don’t have a car on the island, or want to hear insider stories and possibly meet some of the cast, taking an organised tour is the way to go.
Having worked in the movie industry for almost 10 years, taking a Jaws Martha’s Vineyard tour was absolutely on my bucket list. I really appreciated hearing behind-the scenes facts and little-known production secrets from a knowledgeable tour guide.
My Top 3 Picks: Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Tours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Edgartown Tour Company Jaws Amity Tour
✅ Walking Tour
✅ 1 Hour
✅ Least Expensive Tour
Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transportation
✅ Private Tour
✅ 4 Hours
✅ Will pick you up from anywhere
Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Adventure by Boat
✅ Private Boat Tour
✅ Unique Experience
✅ 6 Hours
5 Best Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Tours
1. Edgartown Tour Company Jaws Amity Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour
This is a one hour walking tour around the Jaws film locations in Edgartown. The tour guide, Mike, is a HUGE Jaws fan and has been giving this tour (and general tours of Martha’s Vineyard) for over 14 years. He is a walking Jaws encyclopedia and can answer any question you have about the movie.
I think this is the best Jaws tour because it is easily bookable online, runs frequently during the summer months and all the locations are close together so there is actually very little walking involved. The tour even runs in damp weather (just bring a raincoat!) You don’t even need to have seen the film recently because Mike brings an iPad to play the relevant scenes for you at each location.
When I took this tour, I particularly enjoyed the behind-the scenes stories about Roy Scheider and Steven Spielberg. I had no idea he was so young when he made Jaws!
I really like this Jaws tour because it is short and goes into more detail about South Beach and the filming locations in Edgartown than any other tour. I also like that you can book easily online but as it is a public tour, the group could be a large size making it difficult to get a good view of the iPad showing scenes from the film.
It’s also important to note that this tour only runs during the summer so is not available for visitors coming in the off-season
“We are huge fans of the movie and know a lot of trivia about the production and the movie itself but were surprised on several occasions by some of the facts and stories that Mike told. We also really enjoyed his use of the ipad showing clips from the movie while we were standing in the actual filming locations” -Noel C. (Read more reviews)
3. Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transportation Jaws Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 Hours
This is a 4-hour, private Martha’s Vineyard Jaws tour which takes you to filming locations all over the island. You’ll travel by van and there are two regular stops on the tour in the towns of Menemsha (where Quint’s shack was located) and Aquinnah.
The tour guide may also stop at Memorial Wharf in Edgartown Harbor where you can see the Chappaquiddick Ferry featured in the film. This tour can also take you to the famous Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Bridge. The guide carries towels in the van if you are brave enough to jump!
As it’s a private tour, you can bring up to 11 people so this tour is great for families or friend groups but not as affordable for solo travellers or couples.
This tour will pick you up from anywhere on the island which saves you time and expense getting to and from a meeting point. I also love that they can customise the tour with extra stops as long as they can be done in the 4 hour window.
This tour company has a number of guides. For a truly authentic experience, I recommend asking for Dave who was an extra in the film. As this is a private tour, you won’t have to navigate a large group of people but it is a more expensive option because of this.
This is one of the best Jaws tours because it takes you to more Martha’s Vineyard Jaws locations than the walking tour, it runs frequently and you can book online which is not always possible for private tours.
“When we booked with Martha’s Vineyard (MV) Tours and Transportation for a Jaws / MV tour, we had no idea the amount of fun we would have or the vast amount of information we would receive about the movie and the island” -Tim Morrison (Read more reviews)
3. Island Time Charter Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Adventure by Boat
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | ✅ Book it!
This has got to be the most unique way to take a Jaws tour on Martha’s Vineyard! This private tour is a 6 hour boat ride (for up to 6 people) around Jaws Martha’s Vineyard filming locations.
The tour begins at 10am and leaves from Vineyard Haven Harbor. First stop is the fishing village of Menemsha which was the location of Jaws hero, Quint’s shack. You’ll have some time here to take a walk and see the village and beach.
Next stop is the town of Oak Bluffs where some of the Jaws beach locations and open water scenes were filmed. The final destination on the tour is the Jaws movie town of Amity, otherwise known as Edgartown.
What’s included? Towels and blankets, non-alcoholic beverages, pick up in Vineyard Haven and drop off in Edgartown.
This is certainly a memorable way to experience the locations where Jaws filmed. As it’s a private tour, you get to avoid crowds and get the personalized attention and freedom to ask questions that is not always possible on a public tour.
However, this is the most expensive tour on our list and it’s important to note that fuel charges for the boat are not included in the price. There are also many optional extras that would enhance your tour but further increase the cost.
Optional extras include: Ground transportation back to Vineyard Haven after the tour, a guided tour of Amity (Edgartown), lunch, snacks and beverages, a one hour land excursion of the Aquinnah cliffs
Pick up and drop off in two different towns may not suit you, particularly if you’re not staying in either of them. Alternatively, you can use this as an opportunity to explore the best towns on Martha’s Vineyard
“We had a great time with Captain Jo. He was fun and informative! Definitely put this on your todo list if you come to island.” -Laurie M. (Read more reviews)
4. HomeGrown Tours
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5-4 hours
The HomeGrown Tours Jaws tour is a private tour of 10+ Jaws filming locations on Martha’s Vineyard. Depending on the number of people, you will travel by car (up to 4) or bus (up to 14). They will pick you up from wherever you are on the island.
The tour includes a significant amount of Martha’s Vineyard history because your guide, DeeDee, is an island native. The tour can be 3 or 4 hours long but they recommend 4 hours to get the most from the experience.
You will have the opportunity to stop at the Jaws bridge to jump off if you dare! The guide provides towels and souvenir tshirts for anyone who jumps.
A unique and exciting feature of this Martha’s Vineyard Jaws tour is the opportunity to meet one of the cast members from the film. On occasion, the guide can arrange for you to meet the actor who played Alex Kintner, the young boy who was Jaws second victim.
Important Note: As this meet-up is not guaranteed, make sure to mention it at the time of booking if it is an important feature of the tour for you.
The downside of this tour is it cannot be booked online and there are no regularly scheduled tours. You will have to call to make a reservation and give details about your party and requirements. Then you will be sent a quote before making a booking.
The pros of this private tour are that it can be customized to your requirements and you can avoid large crowds. However, it is also a more expensive option than the public tours which can be less attractive for smaller groups or solo travellers.
This tour is great for mixed groups where some people are fans of the Jaws movie and others just want a tour of Martha’s Vineyard. The guide’s expert local and Jaws knowledge will suit both groups.
The opportunity to meet a Jaws cast member is also a huge bonus for die-hard fans of the film.
“My boyfriend and I went on the Jaws Tour with Dee Dee as our guide. It was outstanding, she knew a ton of really cool movie facts and also went over some of the islands history at our various stops” -Gabrielle C. (Read more reviews)
5. Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Excursions
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours
Last on the list of Martha’s Vineyard Jaws tours is this option from MV Tours and Excursions. They do say on their website that they offer private Jaws tours on request, however, when I spoke to the tour operator, they said they are no longer offering these.
Instead, they have included information on Jaws locations as part of their 3 hour Martha’s Vineyard tour. This is a public, 3 hour, group bus tour which departs twice a day.
I have included the tour in this list because the company is a highly rated and well-reviewed tour operator on the island.
This tour is a good option because it is the most affordable way to see Jaws filming locations across the island. The downside is that it is not a Jaws-specific tour so if you are not open to taking a general Martha’s Vineyard island tour, this may not be the right one for you.
Online booking is not available, you will need to call the company directly to book.
“Our tour guide/driver (Michelle) was a wealth of information and humor. She had quick stories to tell at virtually every locale that added to the experience. The bus was very comfortable, and we traveled over nearly every habitable corner of the island.” -Richie V. (Read more reviews)
martha’s vineyard jaws souvenirs
The best place to get Martha’s Vineyard Jaws souvenirs is at the shops on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Jaws-themed Tshirts are the most popular item and I always see them hanging outside stores or in the windows. You can also get tshirts commemorating your jump from Jaws bridge if you did it!
There are also some Jaws-themed games and toys available at The Lazy Frog store on the same street. If you don’t have time to get to the stores while you’re on-island, you can order Jaws souvenirs online.
I recommend getting the original book “Jaws” by Peter Benchley or this retro Jaws movie poster. You can also pick up a copy of the DVD or Blu-Ray as it is not always readily available via streaming.
Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard is a great behind-the-scenes book with lots of stories and pictures from locals. I also love these hats, mugs and other Jaws collectibles!
FAQs About the location of Jaws on Martha’s Vineyard
Does martha’s Vineyard have a Jaws Museum?
No, there is no dedicated Martha’s Vineyard Jaws museum. However, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum has a Jaws exhibit on display until March 2024. It will then be expanded for the 50th anniversary of the film
Where is the Jaws Tour?
The Jaws tours take place on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The tours take you to filming locations in the towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Aquinnah and Chilmark.
What beach is Jaws filmed on?
The beach scene at the beginning of Jaws was filmed on South Beach in the Katama neighborhood of Edgartown. The scene of Alex Kintner’s attack was shot at Joseph Sylvia State beach in Oak Bluffs.
What town was the original Jaws filmed in?
The original Jaws was primarily filmed in the town of Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Edgartown was the location for the town of Amity in the film.
What bridge was Jaws filmed in?
The American Legion Memorial Bridge in Oak Bluffs was used as the filming location for the bridge in Jaws and is now known locally as “Jaws Bridge”
Where was the ferry scene in Jaws filmed?
The ferry scene in Jaws was filmed on board a real, working ferry, (the Chappaquiddick ferry) at its dock on Dock street in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard.
What ferry is in Jaws?
The Chappaquiddick ferry is used as the Amity ferry in the movie Jaws. It is a real, working car and passenger ferry which travels between Edgartown and the neighboring island of Chappaquiddick.
Where is the town of Amity in Jaws?
The fictional town of Amity is located in New York but the town of Edgartown in Martha’s Vineyard was used as the location for Amity in the film
Is Amity from Jaws a real town?
Amity (in the Jaws book), is a fictional town in New York. The real-life town of Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard was used as the filming location for Amity in the Jaws movie.
Can you visit where Jaws was filmed?
Yes, you can visit the island of Martha’s Vineyard where Jaws was filmed. It is located 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts and can be accessed by ferry or plane.
Final Thoughts: Jaws Tour Martha’s Vineyard
As we come to the end of our journey through Martha’s Vineyard Jaws Tours, it’s clear that this picturesque island has more to offer than just stunning beaches and charming towns. It holds a piece of cinematic history, a slice of adventure, and a dash of adrenaline that you won’t find anywhere else.
My top tour pick is the Edgartown Tour Company Jaws Amity Tour because Mike, the tour guide, is incredibly knowledgable about the movie, it’s affordable, easy to book and runs regularly.
My final tip for you before you book a Jaws tour is to be aware that most tours on Martha’s Vineyard only run during the summer months. If you are visiting the island off-season, you may find it more difficult to arrange a tour.
Having said that, many tour operators are year-round, local residents. While a tour may appear to be unavailable at the time of your visit, it is always worth making a phone call as some operators will make special arrangements for you out of season.
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