Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
4.5
About
Small waves, low dunes and lots of seashells make this narrow, two-mile stretch of public beach popular with families. The beach runs between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, and is called "Bend-in-the-Road Beach" on the Edgartown side.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Joseph Sylvia State Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
55 within 3 miles
Attractions
81 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
37
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
This is the beach for serious swimming and for families. It is not a private beach but has so much room you don't notice it. You just want to stay there all day. The setting sun is at your back so you can stay very late... the sun does not stream into your eyes and you can watch the sea & sky change without glare and fear of hurting your eyes.
I highly recommend it for everyone as it has something for all levels of humanity, both rich and working classes. There is no charge, all free parking. You do not have to worry about noise or roughness or unrulyness. You are safe and among other families. When they go home you have the quiet of a vast and spacious view of water and boats at sea, also the distant docks of Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. You can want for nothing more.
You can pretend you are anyplace on earth. The walk out into the water is comfortable, soft sand mostly. And there is NO dramatic DROP OFF which is dangerous for children and timid adults. The water is cold only at the beginning. Once you start to move your body as a swimmmer, the water seems to warm up. It can feel like you are warm and comfortable as though at home in your bath tub.
It is a place for those who dream of a future of healthy and happy living. It is a place where plans for this future are made by both young and old, a place to share memories and talk about the "nature of reality", philosophy, the book you want to write, those whose lives you cherish and want to write about...
Don't miss State Beach. It is the stuff that dreams are made of.
We love you dear STATE BEACH.. may you stay in good health until the end of the world in some form or another.. but much conservation must be done to make sure you are protected. Those who love Martha's Vineyard will try hard to protect your wildlife and pristine beauty, I hope.
Good-bye for now until we meet again NEXT SUMMER?
I highly recommend it for everyone as it has something for all levels of humanity, both rich and working classes. There is no charge, all free parking. You do not have to worry about noise or roughness or unrulyness. You are safe and among other families. When they go home you have the quiet of a vast and spacious view of water and boats at sea, also the distant docks of Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. You can want for nothing more.
You can pretend you are anyplace on earth. The walk out into the water is comfortable, soft sand mostly. And there is NO dramatic DROP OFF which is dangerous for children and timid adults. The water is cold only at the beginning. Once you start to move your body as a swimmmer, the water seems to warm up. It can feel like you are warm and comfortable as though at home in your bath tub.
It is a place for those who dream of a future of healthy and happy living. It is a place where plans for this future are made by both young and old, a place to share memories and talk about the "nature of reality", philosophy, the book you want to write, those whose lives you cherish and want to write about...
Don't miss State Beach. It is the stuff that dreams are made of.
We love you dear STATE BEACH.. may you stay in good health until the end of the world in some form or another.. but much conservation must be done to make sure you are protected. Those who love Martha's Vineyard will try hard to protect your wildlife and pristine beauty, I hope.
Good-bye for now until we meet again NEXT SUMMER?
Written December 3, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley J Williams
Baltimore, MD8 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Honestly, we visited this beach with our two small kids because I am an enormous Jaws fan and I wanted to see where some of the scenes were filmed. I wasn't disappointed. The beach was lovely. We spent time by the Jaws Bridge; my five year old and I jumped off several times. The water was clear, and there was plenty of space on the beach to stretch out.
If you're planning on using public transportation (and you should) please know that the #13 will stop at the beach if you pull the cord. It will also pick up there as well.
If you're planning on using public transportation (and you should) please know that the #13 will stop at the beach if you pull the cord. It will also pick up there as well.
Written July 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kythoro
Lexington, SC809 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Nostalgic to watch folks jump off the Jaws Bridge ! Fun to see where the great Jaws movie was filmed. Beautiful beach, lots of people and gorgeous waters. Life guard station at one end but most of the beach was not monitored.
Written September 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Woodbridge72 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Most of the beaches are very rocky, so wear your beach shoes. You may have to to go out to Gayhead or Chappaquiddick to escape some of the rocks. The water is rather cold it all of the beaches in Martha's Vineyard. It's always been that way. I love it here. This is not Florida people.
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David J H
New England321 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
State Beach is a great place to do all the beach/water activities you could ever imagine doing on MV.
The waves here are almost always mild, you can rent kayaks and go kite-boarding down by Little Bridge, and when the fishing is hot the albies and blues tear up the entire length of the beach and the night fishing for stripers off Big Bridge is outstanding.
Pack for the day, have a picnic and have fun!
The waves here are almost always mild, you can rent kayaks and go kite-boarding down by Little Bridge, and when the fishing is hot the albies and blues tear up the entire length of the beach and the night fishing for stripers off Big Bridge is outstanding.
Pack for the day, have a picnic and have fun!
Written September 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJones
Boston, MA39 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This beach was great for our young kids who could actually swim in the water. There were lots of rocks and shells so water shoes would be a nice addition. The only real downside is there aren’t any restroom options at the beach—otherwise I would give it 5 stars.
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lloyd M
Swedesboro, NJ95 contributions
Jul 2018
We had a great time over the 4th of July 2018. Crowded beaches but very nice place to hang out for sure.
And don't forget there is no jumping off the Jaws Bridge....
And don't forget there is no jumping off the Jaws Bridge....
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jer b
Bristol, CT1,752 contributions
Aug 2015
Just a gem of a beach between Oak bluffs and Edgartown. Great for kids as the waves are smaller and the cove is protected. Life guards only on the far end of the beach. Easy to park and schlep gear (umbrellas, blankets, chairs) to the beach. No alcohol. No dogs allowed. On weekends, parking is a challenge so an early or late afternoon arrival might be better. Great walking beach. Some sea glass and wampam and shells. Jumping off the big bridge is a right of passage for almost everyone. Best time of day, early morning when the beach is basically deserted and absolutely beautiful. Pristine water with some seaweed. Be sure to park on the pavement and not on the sand of the dunes or you might be ticketed ($50).
Written August 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty C
Ipswich, MA164 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
I have been coming to this beach for over 50 years. Sand great, short walk from free parking. Get there early, it fills up by noon. Gentle waves, wonderful for everyone together in and out of the water. It is just heaven!
Written August 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thelittlebird
Rocky River, Ohio89 contributions
This beach is very convenient to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. You can rent various water craft (kayak, paddle board, windsurfer) here and there is a food stand during high volume times.
Great for the younger ones to at since the waves are fairly calm most days. I love the kayaking and it's calm enough to get the kids out to teach them. There's an inlet so you have variety and the kids love collecting the ocean wildlife (crabs, etc) to look at and then release. Often, boats will anchor offshore.
Great for a swim or snorkel. Take your buckets and shovels!
Great for the younger ones to at since the waves are fairly calm most days. I love the kayaking and it's calm enough to get the kids out to teach them. There's an inlet so you have variety and the kids love collecting the ocean wildlife (crabs, etc) to look at and then release. Often, boats will anchor offshore.
Great for a swim or snorkel. Take your buckets and shovels!
Written July 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there chair and umbrella rentals on the beach?
Written June 9, 2021
Do they have toilets? Where are all those people going to the bathroom?
Written June 28, 2019
What beach is closest toVineyard Haven
Written April 7, 2017
From Vineyard Haven, the nearest beach is Owen Park, just north of the ferry slips, on the west side of the harbor. There is a lifeguard during the summer. No waves.
Toward Oak Bluffs, the nearest is Eastville Beach, just north of the drawbridge. Pebbly sand, no lifeguard. Waves if the wind is from the north.
Written April 7, 2017
Kirsten L
Champaign, Illinois
How far away is this from where the Island Queen ferry drops us off?
Written December 29, 2014
If the Island Queen ferry is coming into Oak Bluffs, you will be about @10 - 15 minutes away from the beach - it is a straight shot down Beach Road where the ferry docks, with taxis and bus service from the area. If you are coming into Vineyard Haven on the ferry add about 10 - 15 minutes to get from there to Oak Bluffs. If you are driving yourself, google an island map before you arrive and plot your course.
Written December 30, 2014
Showing results 1-4 of 4
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing