On the southwestern most edge of Martha’s Vineyard sits the town of Aquinnah which means ‘land beneath the cliffs’ or ‘land under the hill’. It was settled in 1669 and incorporated as Gay Head in 1870, in 1998 the town changed its name back to Aquinnah. Aquinnah is home to the native American tribe, the Wampanoag’s.
The Gay Head cliffs were registered as a National landmark in 1966. They were formed by the same glacier that formed the Vineyard some 20,000 years ago. The cliffs continue to be a source of geological and scientific information… not to mention a beautiful and awesome attraction. Fossil bones of camels, wild horses and whales as well as campfire remnants have been found in the cliffs.
Moshup Beach is the public beach beneath the cliffs. There is also the private Lucy Vincent which is for town residents and their guests, it is also a clothing optional beach. Moshup Beach was picked as one of the top 10 beaches in the US a few years ago.
Lighthouse and lightkeepers house 1960…and lighthouse 2006.
Views to the east ………………. and the west.
Any visit to the Vineyard should definitely include a trip out to Aquinnah. Spend the day at the beach or just go to see the cliffs and visit the charming shops and enjoy a bite to eat overlooking the sea and cliffs.
You might enjoy these posts I’ve done, just click on the links :
MV Obsession 