Edgartown South Beach

Free parking with fun waves. This may be my teens favorite beach on the island. The waves are large (for New England) and the sand is great. There are lifeguards at chairs 1 and also the main part of the beach which is around chair 7. It can get busy but we were able to find a spot to lay all our stuff out. Waves are strong and crash near shore. It's hard to use a boogie board due to this. My family enjoyed playing in the waves without a board.

Beautiful beach with free parking. Fun to watch the planes taking off at the little airport across the street.

Very big waves. My family and I loved this beach. The scenery to get to the beach is beautiful. The Katama Airport plane parking is near the beach. Beautiful homes, fields and even horses are amongst the scenery. The beach is so clean. The bathrooms are outside of the entrance and maintained. The sanded beach area is not plentiful with many beachgoers. You are often very close to another patron, arrive early. Lifeguards on duty. Tents & fun welcomed. No dogs. Few rocks. My new fave beach. Free Parking

great beach to tan with a side of people watching. 10/10. took the dawgs out on a stroll.

My favorite all around beach on the Island. The sand is great, the waves are great, the parking is decent and the beach is so long there's always a spot for you and your people. This is a great spot and you're not going to want to leave, so don't forget sunscreen and an umbrella!

It's been 12 years since I was last at this beach, and honestly its lost some of its appeal. While the weather has been spectacular this week, the beach area has continued to erode over the years such that the dropoff once one enters the water is very steep and not conducive to bodysurfing. The erosion has also led to a small area where the masses can camp out for the day. And I mean literally camp out, as people now seem to think its acceptable to set up giagantic party canopies on the beach....and then not even use them since they them put their beach chairs outside the tent in the sun?!? But enough ranting about the people visiting the beach. There are porta potties at several of the beach entrances and lots of bicycle racks which is nice. Overall it is still a nice beach, bu there could be some improvements made. Oh and by the way the first day my girls were infested with sea lice which was a little off putting. And today a dead seal washed up on the beach which also dampened the mood.

The best beach in the world :) Feel the luxurious soft sand, play in the rolling ocean waves and enjoy fun in the sun. Friendly beach-goers, awesome staff and pick-up beach volleyball at Left Fork.

So far, South beach is my favorite beach in the north easy. The sand is soft and not rocky, there is a volleyball net and I simply enjoy watching people play a competitive match of volley and the waves.. . Oo the waves are so big and so fun to swim in and jump in! It's fun for kids and adults! There is also a drive on part of the beach. Although I have not driven a vehicle onto the beach, many people take advantage and I look forward to one day bring a car on the beach as well. I also enjoy that this beach is never over crowded. In a way it is secluded but still big enough to have you own space without feeling you are intruding on other patrons conversations. Highly recommended this beach to anyone.

I have been a "Vineyarder" for 25 years and this is my favorite beach on the island. The South shore runs from the Over Sand Permit only, Norton Point in Edgartown to the clothing optional part of Moshup beach in Aquinnah, but when you say, "South Beach" it typically means the public section in Katama. This beach fronts the Atlantic Ocean so the surf is pretty rough compared to most spots on the island. South beach features lifeguards, porta-potties, and lots of free parking. It is a family friendly beach and they prohibit smoking, alcohol, and radios. Please be advised that the surf can be a bit rough for the little ones! We always bring a picnic and stay all day! The sand is soft and perfect for building sand castles, but be advised deep holes are prohibited by Edgartown park patrol on 4x4s. It seems less so for the diggers safety, and more because they dont' want to get their ATVs stuck. There is a pretty good rip current in certain places so if you're not a decent swimmer don't go out too far and remember if you do get caught - swim parallel to shore! The water is cold but refreshing especially in the hottest months!

This beach is hard to find, but it's worth the trip. Drive to the south shore of the Vineyard and from the highway, go down a long dirt road to a small parking lot. Once you are there, there's a 5 minute walk to the beach. It is a fragile ecosystem so I think the parking is limited to discourage crowds. They have osprey nest poles and kayak tours if you're interested in the ecology of the area. The beach is lifeguarded in places. There's a fresh water pump and restrooms but no bathhouse. If you examine the south shore of the Vineyard on a map you'll see that a long spit of land separates a mostly fresh water lagoon from the ocean. Sit on the spit of land, and, on one side, surf in some crazy waves that will kick your butt (watch your kids, it is close to dangerous at high tide). Turn around 180 degrees and walk a few feet in the other direction, and you can float and play in bathwater temperature water with no waves or tides at all. Idyllic. A true New England treasure.

Lovely beach. Super clean and it had life guards (granted I was on the private side).

South Beach, or Katama Beach, is absoultely beautiful. Great surf and lovely sand and dunes. This beautiful beach stretches from Herring Creek Rd to Chappy.

Awesome beach. Not crowded. Bring the SUV, let the air out of the tires and cruise down the beach to your own spot. Doesn't get much better.

Absolutely beautiful beach. A little out of the way, parking is ok, and lifeguards are on duty. Enough people there but not overcrowded. We were able to find a great spot close enough to the water. If you aren't someone who likes to go into the water, no problem - enjoy the people watching. IF you do like to go into the water, there is very clean water and waves.

South beach is a picturesque beach, although it's not a very good walking beach due to the fact the sand is not hard packed. Plenty of parking, miles of great beach, and good swimming in the ocean.

The thrill of the ocean, the crash of the surf, the joy of families and friends relaxing! For body surfing, for seal watching, for endless Summer fun - this is the place to be!

Visited South Beach for the first time this weekend, and I'd go so far as to say that it's the most beautiful beach I've been to in Massachusetts (and I have lived in MA my whole life so that's saying a lot). It was a wee but early on in the season to really say it wasn't crowded, but considering it's only a couple of weeks until The Fourth, it was pretty darn good! Despite the amount of people who seemed to be on the beach, parking was plentiful (although most probably more to do with the fact that most tourists to do not bring/rent cars, but who cares why?), and we had absolutely no problem finding a spacious spot on the sand, which was fine and luxurious, if only a bit rocky at the water's edge. As for the water: I have never seen a Massachusetts beach so clear of seaweed and bugs in my life! It was as clear as could be, and the temperature (in mid/late-June) was that of what you'd be lucky to find at any other beach in late-July! The consistency of the water was a bit choppy, which is unique to the Cape, where shores are typically pretty calm. However, it was just choppy enough for the kids to have fun jumping waves and boogey-boarding (without it being dangerous), and just calm enough a little further out for the grown-ups the relax and cool off. Overall, I would say it's definitely worth the trip to Edgartown, especially if you're already on the Vineyard. I will definitely be coming back soon, as it's officially my favorite Massachusetts beach!