🐕 Pet-Friendly Guide to Martha's Vineyard (2024)

Stores, restaurants, beaches and paths you can bring your pup to. Plus, a roundup of MV pet policies for island visitors

Navigating a visit to the island with your pup can definitely be challenging, but we know that for many of you it is worth it! We created our original pet guide in 2022 but wanted to update it with the latest info.

🏖️Beaches/Walks: 

At each beach or trailhead you’ll find information about the latest pet policies - as they change depending on the time of year you visit.

Between May 15 and September 15 (or, alternately April 1 to September 1 for some), very few hiking paths and beaches allow on-leash pets. Off season, pets on leash are welcome at a wider variety of beaches.

Leashed dogs are welcome in the following locations (hours may vary):

• Vineyard Haven

  • Owen Park Beach

  • John G Rogers Dog Park (off-leash, fenced in)

  • Eastville Beach

  • Doug’s Cove Preserve

• Oak Bluffs

  • Trade Winds Preserve

  • Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

• Edgartown

  • Fuller Street Beach

  • Caroline Tuthill Preserve

  • Lighthouse Beach

  • Cape Poge (Chappy) 

• Up-Island

  • Sepiessa Point Reservation (WT) 

  • Lambert’s Cove (before 10am, WT) 

    • Open to all dogs between 7am- 10am; June 15-September 15

  • John Presbury Norton Farm (WT) 

  • Chilmark Pond Preserve (Chilmark) 

  • Peaked Hill (Chilmark) 

  • Lobsterville Beach (Aquinnah)

TrailsMV - a free mobile app that explains hiking options on MV - is an awesome resource that details the trails and explains pet policies for any trail you’re interested in.

🏨 Hotels:

1. Mansion House Hotel & Spa (Vineyard Haven)

2. Martha's Vineyard Surfside Hotel (Oak Bluffs)

3. Summercamp Hotel (Oak Bluffs)

4. Hob Knob Hotel & Spa (Edgartown)

5. Harbor View Hotel (Edgartown)

6. Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites (Edgartown)

7. Winnetu Oceanside Resort (Edgartown)

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🐕‍🦺 Dog Sitters/Walkers:

These folks definitely know more than us about this topic - we hear great things about all of them if you need some support during your visit:

1. Al Fresco Tails

2. Fetch, the Canine Company

3. MV Pets

4. Island Dog Training

5. Sandy Tails MV 

6. Pet Pals MV

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✂️ Groomers:

1. Puppy Tales Dog Grooming 

2. Salty Dawg MV 

3. Pretty Doggie  

🏠 Boarding:

1. Animal Healthcare Services 

2. Island Pet Sitting - Contact Jennifer Jackson at 914-806-6139

   

🚍 Transportation:

All ferries, buses and taxis welcome pets. However, the buses have a policy that if a passenger who is already on the bus objects to the animal (because of allergies or other reasons), the animal and owner are asked to take the next bus. If the animal and owner are already on the bus, they may remain and the objecting passenger is asked to take another bus. 

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🍽️ Restaurants:

Most restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs, but here are a few we know are pup-friendly:

• Vineyard Haven

  • Black Dog Tavern

  • Net Result (outdoor porch, picnic table seating)

• Oak Bluffs

  • Aalia’s Coffee

  • Noman’s

  • Coop De Ville

  • Lobsterville Bar + Grill

  • Nancy’s Snack Bar Deck 

  • Offshore Ale

• Edgartown

  • Bad Martha Brewery 

  • 19 Raw Oyster Bar 

  • Town Bar + Grill

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🛍️ Retail: 

Taking a stroll down Main Street or Circuit Ave and want to pop-into your favorite shop? Here are a few we know will welcome you:

• Vineyard Haven: Phillips Hardware, Lenox and Harvey, Black Dog

• Oak Bluffs: Good Dog Goods, Black Dog

• Edgartown: CB Stark Jewelers, Edgartown Paper Store, Backwater Trading Company, Lilly Pulitzer, Island Outfitters, Past and Presents, Lululemon, Rosewater Market and Spirits, Black Dog

🦴 Pet Supplies

Good Dog Goods in Oak Bluffs is a store that has dog supplies and is a great resource for learning about pet-friendly MV. MV Barkery sells homemade dog treats at many locations on the island. Be sure to support local while you visit!

🦌 Hunting Information

Be cautious with checking signage when hiking on Martha’s Vineyard. Here are the hunting Season Dates in 2024:

• Bow/Archery Deer Hunting: October 7 – November 30, 2024

• Shotgun Season: December 2 – 14, 2024

• Primitive Firearm Season: December 16 – 31, 2024

• Deer Season (General): Begins with Archery on October 7 and continues through the end of Primitive Firearms season on December 31, 2024

Remember, hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday, starting ½ hour before sunrise and ending ½ hour after sunset. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts.

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🪲 Tick Safety

Tick safety is crucial for dogs on Martha's Vineyard, where the prevalence of ticks is much higher than in other locations, making regular tick checks vital for both pet and owner safety.

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🚨Pet Emergencies

Pet care on MV is quite scarce, but here is the Urgent Pet Care MV in case you have no other option.

Is there anything else you want us to include in this roundup, or know of more up to date information? Please don’t hesitate to reach out at info@mvacay.com

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