One of the highlights of riding bicycles Up Island during the Summer is taking the Bike Ferry between Menemsha and Aquinnah. It is $5 a trip and only for bicycles and people, no cars! Hugh Taylor began the ferry in 1990 and it remains as one of the beloved, quirky things that really makes the island special.
Lots of folks just take the ferry for a quick walk, picnic or get-away on the water for a few minutes. For folks on bicycles, it enables a loop around Aquinnah, returning on State Road or a big lollipop, returning to the ferry for a return-trip to Menemsha.
It usually runs 9am to 5pm from late June through the end of August. For the most up-to-date info on the ferry, check out their facebook page. There are usually updates about opening and closing dates as well as service interruptions during season.
If the ferry isn’t running, and you’re already riding on North Road and State Road, there is the route around the ferry, the No Bike Ferry Paved ride-around. Be warned, Menemsha and State Roads have minimal shoulders, lots of twisty corners and sometimes lots of traffic. I’d avoid these roads during rush-hours and when the sun is causing visibility issues. These are not roads for inexperienced riders.
If you’re on a gravel bike and ready for some old forest roads and rough doubletrack, there is a No Bike Ferry? Gravel Ride-Around! route that lessens the riding needed on busy, paved roads. It is recommended to only ride this route when things have been relatively dry. If it has rained recently, there may be some mud puddles and wet ruts; if it has rained heavily recently, there will be a lot of deep puddles and a large lake…beware!
It can almost be used perfectly in reverse except for two tiny spots where entering/exiting onto State and South Roads are short one-ways; seems complicated, but really isn’t if ya look at the map.
The Vineyard Gazette published a story about the Bike Ferry, with a bit more history and information.
We rode a great loop on Tuesday, June 28, 2026 and took the ferry twice with Captain Sean piloting us across Menemsha Creek. You hand over your steed and he ties it up as you sit down and enjoy the views and conversation. The views of the Menemsha hills from the water are remarkable.
Pro-Tip! If you’re gonna have to wait for the ferry, grab an ice cream cone! They taste extra good in the sunshine.
i love riding bicycles 