Family Activities

Sengekontacket Pond's Barrier Beach
The Joseph Sylvia State Beach

The Joseph Sylvia State Beach, approximately 6500 feet long, is one of the 681 barrier beaches along the coast of Massachusetts. Located on Martha’s Vineyard’s north-eastern shore, State Beach, as islanders refer to it, is part of a littoral drift system extending from the East Chop cliffs in Oak Bluffs to the Edgartown Light, at the mouth of Edgartown Harbor. Two inlets, stabilized with stone rip rap, provide for the exchange of water between the Pond and Nantucket Sound. The beach forms the seaward margin of Sengekontacket Pond, a 750 acre tidal, brackish lagoon. Located on the backshore of the beach are a bicycle path and Beach Road, a state road. Beach, pond, sea and sky combine to form one of the loveliest scenic vistas in rural New England, if not the nation.

The beach itself is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the County of Dukes County by virtue of a 1946 Act of the Massachusetts Legislature. The beach’s aesthetic appeal, unsurpassed swimming, and easy public access attract throngs of beach goers on a summer day. Parking, which is free, accommodates about 500 cars. The Joseph Sylvia State Beach provides recreation, support for the Island’s economy by visitors attracted to the coast, and refuge for protected rare bird species, particularly the Piping Plover and Least Tern. In addition, the beach absorbs and dissipates wave energy, thereby providing storm protection to the road, Sengekontacket Pond and the inland wetlands behind it.

For more information visit the Dukes County Web Site: www.dukescounty.org/pages/index

Conservation Areas

A considerable amount of property on the Sengekontacket Pond waterfront is owned by conservation organizations or by property owners that endorse conservation practices.  The most prominent are the Caroline Tuthill Preserve owned and managed by the Sheriffs Meadow Foundation www.sheriffsmeadow.org/caroline.php?nav=trail and The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Felix Neck Preserve http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Felix_Neck/index.php

Shell fishing

A town shellfish permit is required for the catch or removal of any shellfish in both Edgartown and Oak Bluffs . Permits can be obtained at the town halls. Consult your permit for seasonal, size and quantity limitations.

Sengekontacket Pond has moderately good recreational and commercial shell fishing. Although a variety of shellfish can be found in the Pond, the most popular varieties are:

• Quahogs (Hard Shell Clams) Quahogs are found buried in the sand or mud 1 - 2 inches below the surface. They are usually harvested by rakes. Some of the common terms to describe sizes are:
  • “Littlenecks” up to 2 inches in length.
  • “Cherrystones” 2 to 3 inches in length
  • “Chowders” larger than 3 inches
• Steamers (Soft Shell Clams) Steamers live about 6 inches below the surface, usually in the intertidal zone. They are most commonly harvested by hand, rake or shovel. Commercial shell fishermen sometimes use an air pump.
• Oysters There are some oysters in the pond as a result of seeding. They rest on the bottom surface and are harvested by net or rake. Martha’s Vineyard has become a nationally recognized source of farm oysters.
• Bay Scallops may only be harvested between October 1 and March 31. A Bay Scallop must live through two summers to reach maturity before being harvested. Most scallops live in eelgrass beds. The Pond has been suffering from a lack of eelgrass and the scallop harvest has been poor in recent years.
• Blue Claw Crabs are found in creeks and ponds although they can be scarce at times due to natural cycles.
• Mussels Blue Mussels attach themselves to rocks or bridge pilings, while Ribbed Mussels are found along marshes and creeks. For eating, most people prefer the Blue Mussel which has a smooth, dark blue or black shell.

Kayaking, Canoeing and Windsurfing

Sengekontacket is a place on Martha's Vineyard favored for kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing. Almost the entire Pond is navigable for shallow draft craft. A well used access point is by the Little Bridge on Beach Road. Even though the Pond is relatively shallow, we advise everyone to wear an approved flotation device. There a number of interesting marshes to explore, and there is some seasonal fishing.

Since 1991 the Martha’s Vineyard Oar and Paddle Association has sponsored an annual rowing regatta to benefit the Friends of Sengekontacket, Inc. This is held the last Saturday or Sunday in August. T-shirts are provided as part of a modest entry fee. Regatta organizers tailor race courses to weather conditions and type of craft, typically ranging from rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and sea shells. The children’s course is within the Pond, while the long course for kayaks is typically off shore.

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