The town's main downtown shoreline, a sandy stretch running from Waban Park to the Island Queen ferry terminal along Seaview Avenue, made up of three connected named sections: Pay Beach, North Bluff Beach, and The Inkwell.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Accessibility
Flat, step-free access points off Seaview Avenue
Lifeguard
Pay Beach and The Inkwell are reported to have seasonal lifeguards in summer; exact season dates not confirmed. The town's own Parks & Rec page separately states 'no lifeguards on duty, swim at your own risk' as a general caution.
Dogs
Dogs must be under immediate control in all Oak Bluffs public parks/beaches year-round, and are banned outright on public beaches May 15 - September 15, 8am-5pm. The Inkwell section has a stricter window: banned 7am-5pm in that same date…
Managed by
Oak Bluffs Parks & Recreation
508-693-0072 · WebsiteGetting in
Access points along this beach
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Near the Steamship pier
Concessions
Restaurants/snack options nearby in town
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Town Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Water °F | 39° | 37° | 41° | 48° | 56° | 66° | 73° | 74° | 70° | 62° | 54° | 44° |
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Monthly averages from NOAA, Woods Hole (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Town Beach in Oak Bluffs open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
What's the difference between Pay Beach and the Inkwell?
They're the same continuous town beach, separated by jetties near the Seaview condominiums; Pay Beach is the northern section closer to the ferry wharf, the Inkwell is the southern section, historically significant as a gathering place for Black families since the 1800s.
Is this beach good for young kids?
Yes, the surf is consistently calm and the sand smooth.
Are there restrooms at Town Beach?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Town Beach?
Water at Town 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 Town Beach?
No bonfires or grills. No smoking on any Town of Oak Bluffs beach.
Can you swim at Town Beach?
Town Beach is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Town Beach?
Dogs must be under immediate control in all Oak Bluffs public parks/beaches year-round, and are banned outright on public beaches May 15 - September 15, 8am-5pm. The Inkwell section has a stricter window: banned 7am-5pm in that same date range.