Chilmark's best-known ocean beach, backed by tall clay cliffs on the south shore, with a separate pond-side access point off South Road. It runs on a resident/renter sticker system in summer and is not sold to day visitors, so this is effectively a locals' beach rather than an open public one during the season.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $100/season vehicle sticker (residents and renters only)
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Season
Sticker season runs June 1 to September 15; the beach is accessible on foot outside that window, though the gate/sticker enforcement is a summer-only system.
From June 1Dogs
No dogs, year-round, under the Beach Committee's posted rules.
Managed by
Chilmark Beach Committee
508-645-2107 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$100/season vehicle sticker (residents and renters only)StickerChilmark resident/taxpayer beach sticker, right (passenger) rear window; sold only to residents and their renters with a lease/registration on file
Lucy Vincent Beach lot
Details unconfirmed
Lucy Vincent Beach lot
Cost$100/season vehicle sticker (residents and renters only)
Sticker sold at the Chilmark Town Hall Beach Sticker Office, 401 Middle Road, not to general day visitors. A walk-on pass ($25, up to 4 per household) is available for non-drivers.
Access points along this beach
Ocean side
Main gated entrance off South Road.
Pond side
Second access point off South Road, sharing the same sticker system as the ocean side.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Lucy Vincent Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Water °F | 39° | 37° | 41° | 48° | 56° | 66° | 73° | 74° | 70° | 62° | 54° | 44° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Woods Hole (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark open today?
Lucy Vincent Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Is there parking at Lucy Vincent Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker ($100/season vehicle sticker (residents and renters only)). Lucy Vincent Beach lot
What's the water temperature at Lucy Vincent Beach?
Water at Lucy Vincent Beach averages about 37°F in February and 74°F in August, based on NOAA readings at Woods Hole from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
What rules should I know at Lucy Vincent Beach?
No lifeguards at any time. No dogs, horses, buses, or campers.
Can you swim at Lucy Vincent Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Lucy Vincent Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Lucy Vincent Beach?
No dogs, year-round, under the Beach Committee's posted rules.
Is there an entry fee at Lucy Vincent Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Lucy Vincent Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. $100/season vehicle sticker (residents and renters only).