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The clay cliffs of Aquinnah and the Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard.

Living in Aquinnah, Massachusetts

Aquinnah occupies the southwestern tip of Martha's Vineyard, bordered by Chilmark to the east and surrounded by water on its other sides. Settled in 1669 and incorporated as Gay Head in 1870, the town took the name Aquinnah by popular vote in 1997. It is home to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, a federally recognized tribe whose members make up roughly a third of the town's registered voters, and to the multicolored Gay Head clay cliffs, a National Natural Landmark.

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: MarinelaK, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aquinnah at a glance

Aquinnah's zip code

Aquinnah uses ZIP code 02535, which it shares with neighboring Chilmark; the town has no post office of its own.

Aquinnah villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Aquinnah center02535Around State Road and Town Hall on the eastern side of town, near the intersection with Aquinnah Circle, which leads out to the cliffs and Gay Head Light.

Things to do in Aquinnah, MA

Start with Aquinnah Cliffs and Gay Head Light and Aquinnah Cultural District, then 2 more below.

  1. Aquinnah Cliffs and Gay Head Light

    The multicolored clay cliffs at the island's westernmost point, a National Natural Landmark since 1965, topped by the Gay Head Light. The lighthouse, built in 1799 and moved 129 feet inland in 2015 to escape erosion, opens to visitors seasonally with an admission fee; the Town of Aquinnah took ownership of the light in February 2026.

    Seasonal

    Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. Aquinnah Cultural District

    A cluster of Wampanoag-owned shops and eateries around Aquinnah Circle near the cliffs, including native-run craft and jewelry shops.

    Seasonal

    Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah, MA

  3. Moshup Beach

    A public beach below the cliffs on the Atlantic side of town, reached by a path from the Aquinnah Circle parking area.

    Seasonal

    Moshup Trail, Aquinnah, MA

  4. Aquinnah Public Library

    The town's public library on State Road.

    FreeYear-round

    1 Church St, Aquinnah, MA

    Plan a visit

More worth a visit

  • Lobsterville BeachA beach on the town's north side along Vineyard Sound, facing Menemsha across the channel.
  • Menemsha Bike FerryA seasonal passenger and bicycle ferry across Menemsha Pond connecting Aquinnah to Chilmark's Menemsha village.

A little history

Aquinnah was settled in 1669 and incorporated as the town of Gay Head in 1870; residents voted to rename the town Aquinnah, a Wampanoag word, in 1997.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) received federal recognition in 1987 and today comprises roughly a third of the town's registered voters.

Gay Head Light, first built in 1799 and rebuilt in 1856, was moved 129 feet inland in 2015 to protect it from the eroding clay cliffs; the Town of Aquinnah took ownership of the lighthouse in February 2026.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Aquinnah

Aquinnah's outdoor draw is its shoreline: the clay cliffs at the island's tip, the Atlantic beach below them, and Vineyard Sound beaches on the town's north side.

  • Moshup BeachA public Atlantic-facing beach at the base of the Aquinnah cliffs.
  • Aquinnah CliffsA National Natural Landmark of multicolored clay cliffs at the westernmost point of Martha's Vineyard.
  • Lobsterville BeachA Vineyard Sound beach on the town's north side, across the channel from Menemsha.

Where to eat in Aquinnah: restaurants and coffee

2 places in Aquinnah to try, including restaurant and restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Aquinnah

Aquinnah Circle, near the cliffs and lighthouse, has a small walkable cluster of shops and food stands in season, but the rest of the town is rural and spread out along State Road, and a car is needed to get between the town center, the cliffs and the beaches.

Check any Aquinnah address

Drive times

  • Falmouth (via ferry), about 20 miles45 (ferry) min
  • Martha's Vineyard Airport, about 15 miles30-35 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority's Route 5 runs along South Road between Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury. Aquinnah has no ferry terminal or train service; the nearest Steamship Authority terminal is in Vineyard Haven. A seasonal bike ferry crosses Menemsha Pond between Aquinnah and Chilmark.

Aquinnah property taxes

Aquinnah's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $687 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $12,677, on an average assessed value of $1,845,298.

Aquinnah's FY2026 tax rates

$6.87per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$6.87 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$1,845,298
  • Average single-family tax bill$12,677
  • Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value

Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.

Aquinnah property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$6.27
FY2023$6.10
FY2024$6.40
FY2025$6.76
FY2026$6.87

Look up a Aquinnah property

Buying a home in Aquinnah

What we check on a Aquinnah purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells & septic, coastal erosion, smoke & co certificate.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Dukes County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Aquinnah's Atlantic shoreline below the eroding clay cliffs and its Vineyard Sound beaches at Lobsterville put low-lying shoreline parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Aquinnah
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Aquinnah Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-645-2311 to schedule.

Aquinnah Fire Department page
Wells & septic

Most homes rely on private wells and septic systems

Aquinnah has no townwide water or sewer system, so most properties use private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts law requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on a septic system can be sold.

Aquinnah Board of Health
Coastal erosion

The Aquinnah cliffs are an actively eroding coastline

The clay cliffs at Aquinnah erode continuously; the town moved Gay Head Light 129 feet inland in 2015 for this reason. Buyers near the bluffs should ask about setbacks and any coastal management restrictions.

Smoke & CO certificate

Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing

Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close.

Aquinnah Fire Department

All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Aquinnah?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Aquinnah address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Aquinnah: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Aquinnah: Eversource for power.

Aquinnah Dump / Local Drop-off

Thursday 8:00 am-2:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am-1:00 pm (June 15-October 19)

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Aquinnah Town Hall is at 955 State Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535. Main line: 508-645-2300.

Aquinnah, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Aquinnah, MA?

Aquinnah's FY2026 residential tax rate is $6.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Aquinnah?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,748 a year at $6.87 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Aquinnah have a split tax rate?

No. Aquinnah uses a single rate of $6.87 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Aquinnah?

The average single-family tax bill in Aquinnah was $12,677 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,845,298.

What ZIP code does Aquinnah use?

Aquinnah uses ZIP code 02535, shared with neighboring Chilmark; the town has no post office of its own.

Is trash pickup curbside in Aquinnah?

No. Aquinnah residents bring trash and recycling to the town's Local Drop-off, part of the Martha's Vineyard Refuse Disposal and Resource Recovery District.

Who supplies electricity in Aquinnah?

Eversource is the electric utility serving Aquinnah; the town has no natural gas service.

Is there public transit in Aquinnah?

The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority's Route 5 runs along South Road connecting Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury. A seasonal bike ferry also crosses Menemsha Pond to Chilmark.

How far is Aquinnah from the mainland?

Aquinnah has no ferry terminal of its own. The nearest Steamship Authority terminal is in Vineyard Haven, with service to Woods Hole in Falmouth.

Who owns the Gay Head Lighthouse?

The Town of Aquinnah took ownership of Gay Head Light in February 2026; the lighthouse opens to visitors seasonally.

Towns near Aquinnah

Neighbors of Aquinnah, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources