Which Should You Visit?
Both islands float off New England's coast behind ferry rides and weathered shingles, but they serve different versions of summer escape. Block Island operates as a 13-square-mile refuge where bicycles outnumber cars, bluffs drop dramatically to beaches, and the entire island feels like one small town stretched across rolling hills. Martha's Vineyard spans six distinct communities from working-class Oak Bluffs to manicured Edgartown, offering everything from gingerbread cottages to yacht clubs. Block Island attracts visitors seeking simplicity and solitude—you can bike the entire perimeter in an afternoon. Martha's Vineyard draws those wanting variety within their island experience, whether that's browsing Chilmark galleries or catching live music in Vineyard Haven. The choice often comes down to scale: Block Island's intimacy versus Martha's Vineyard's diversity.
| Block Island | Marthas Vineyard | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale and Navigation | Bike the entire 13-square-mile island in half a day, with one main village center. | Six separate towns require planning and potentially a car to experience fully. |
| Accommodation Style | Victorian hotels and B&Bs dominate, with limited chain options. | Everything from luxury resorts to boutique inns across different town personalities. |
| Beach Character | Dramatic bluff-backed beaches with consistent surf and fewer crowds. | Varied beach types from Oak Bluffs' scene to Chilmark's secluded coves. |
| Transportation | Bicycles and walking handle most needs; cars feel unnecessary. | Bus system connects towns, but a car unlocks the full island experience. |
| Social Scene | Concentrated around a few hotel bars and the harbor area. | Spreads across multiple towns, from Oak Bluffs party scene to Edgartown's yacht club culture. |
| Vibe | windswept simplicitybicycle-first mobilitybluff-top isolationVictorian boarding house atmosphere | multi-town sophisticationsailing culture prominencegingerbread cottage whimsyestablished summer colony traditions |
Scale and Navigation
Block Island
Bike the entire 13-square-mile island in half a day, with one main village center.
Marthas Vineyard
Six separate towns require planning and potentially a car to experience fully.
Accommodation Style
Block Island
Victorian hotels and B&Bs dominate, with limited chain options.
Marthas Vineyard
Everything from luxury resorts to boutique inns across different town personalities.
Beach Character
Block Island
Dramatic bluff-backed beaches with consistent surf and fewer crowds.
Marthas Vineyard
Varied beach types from Oak Bluffs' scene to Chilmark's secluded coves.
Transportation
Block Island
Bicycles and walking handle most needs; cars feel unnecessary.
Marthas Vineyard
Bus system connects towns, but a car unlocks the full island experience.
Social Scene
Block Island
Concentrated around a few hotel bars and the harbor area.
Marthas Vineyard
Spreads across multiple towns, from Oak Bluffs party scene to Edgartown's yacht club culture.
Vibe
Block Island
Marthas Vineyard
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Martha's Vineyard offers more frequent ferries from multiple departure points, while Block Island requires longer ferry rides from fewer ports.
No direct ferry connects them; you'd need to return to mainland and take separate ferries, making it impractical for short trips.
Block Island's bike-friendly scale and simpler logistics often work better, while Martha's Vineyard offers more diverse activities but requires more planning.
Both are expensive, but Martha's Vineyard generally costs more due to greater luxury accommodation options and upscale dining scenes.
Martha's Vineyard offers museums, shops, and indoor attractions across multiple towns, while Block Island has limited indoor options.
If you love both, consider Nantucket for similar New England island sophistication or Fire Island for car-free beach community living. Both offer that ferry-accessed escape mentality.