October on Martha's Vineyard, When Oak Bluffs Gives the Beach Back
By mid-October the crowds of July and August have gone back over the water, and Martha's Vineyard settles into its quieter self. The ferry runs fewer trips. Some restaurants and shops have papered their windows until spring. The gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs stand shuttered and bright, like a stage set waiting for its next season.
What remains is the light. It comes in low and amber across Nantucket Sound, and the scrub oaks inland go rust and copper. The water is too cold for most swimmers now, though a few regulars still wade in at dawn and come out pink and pleased with themselves.
From the Breezy Oak Bluffs Condo, Inkwell Beach is a short walk across the road, nearly empty at this time of year. Bring a sweater and a thermos. Before you go, see the full guide.
