Home to one of the first scenes, a beach bonfire, South Beach is the premiere South facing beach on Martha's Vineyard and one of the only to offer amenities such as free parking, bathroom and changing facilities and helpful lifeguards and rangers to assist beachgoers.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Film Location: Panicked swimmers rush to safety after Alex Kintner Attack 267-125 Seaview Ave., Edgartown MA 02539 | (508) 627-6145
The Nantucket Sound shoreline of State Beach is a very popular beach for families because there is a gradual slope into deeper water and the waves are usually small. The Sengecontacket Pond shoreline is popular for walking and accessing productive shellfishing beds. (You will need a town permit to harvest them)
Commonly known as the Jaws Bridge, the American Legion Memorial Bridge connects the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, spanning the channel between Nantucket Sound and Sengekontacket Pond. It gained fame after appearing in Jaws While visitors have been tempted, jumping off the bridge is a no!
Located on the western edge of Martha’s Vineyard—near other iconic Jaws filming locations—the Aquinnah Cultural Center sits within the historic Wampanoag lands in the restored Vanderhoop Homestead. Overlooking the clay cliffs and Atlantic Ocean, it preserves and shares the vibrant culture and history of the Aquinnah Wampanoag people through exhibits, programs, and gatherings.
One of the oldest businesses on Martha’s Vineyard, the Chappaquiddick (Chappy) Ferry—once owned by a blind skipper—has survived hurricanes, fires, and even a seaplane strike. It famously served as a setting for a key scene in Jaws and was used as a principal camera boat during filming.
Originally built in 1828 as a Methodist church, Edgartown Town Hall
Menemsha Harbor
Film Location: Quint’s Shop – The ORCA sets off to sea to capture the shark
Chilmark Harbormaster Chilmark, MA
Menemsha Harbor plays a key role as the location of Quint’s shop—strictly built for filming and dismantled immediately after. While the shop no longer exists, the harbor remains active, welcoming both recreational boaters and commercial fishermen, with transient mooring and dockage reservations available starting in May. Visitors of the harbor can also enjoy nearby beaches and savor freshly prepared seafood at nearby restaurants.
Edgartown Harbor
Film Location: Amity Harbor
1 Morse St., Edgartown MA 02539 | (508) 627-4746
Edgartown Harbor, a classic New England harbor, is best experienced from the observation deck at Memorial Wharf, located beside the Chappy Ferry slip on Dock Street. Featured in Jaws, the Chappy Ferry is a standout attraction, along with the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse and sweeping views of both the Inner and Outer Harbor.
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge
Film Location: Final shot and scenes
40 Rd. to The Gut, Edgartown MA 02539 | (508) 627-7689
Cape Poge is a 514-acre wildlife refuge protected by The Trustees of Reservations beginning in 1959. A magnificent barrier beach with a sandy shoreline, Cape Poge is known for its old dunes, expansive salt marsh, salt pond and unique Red Cedar Maritime forest. It is teeming with wildlife and home to many rare and endangered flora and fauna. Portions of Cape Poge are open to the public by oversand vehicle and walking. Access to the “Elbow” and lighthouse at Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge is by walking or boating only.
The Port Hunter
Film Location: INT. Amity Hardware
55 Main St., Edgartown MA 02539
The Port Hunter, a locally owned seafood restaurant, served as a filming location and continues to be a lively part of Edgartown’s dining scene. Open daily (except Sundays), it welcomes the public to enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes. Visitors are kindly asked to respect the space—avoid flash photography and be mindful of other guests and staff.
Town of Edgartown
Film Location: Town of Amity
Originally established as a whaling community, Edgartown has grown into a captivating blend of historic charm and scenic coastal beauty. This year-round destination features stunning beaches, a picturesque harbor, and a classic New England Main Street filled with unique shops and inviting eateries. Its timeless setting famously served as the fictional town of Amity in Jaws, with many iconic scenes filmed around Edgartown’s town hall, ferry dock, and harbor-front buildings.
Lobsterville Beach
Film Location: Opening scene beach, additional beach scenes.
21 Lobsterville Rd., Aquinnah MA 02535
One of the many beaches used to film opening and later beach scenes, Lobsterville Beach is a serene, two-mile stretch of shoreline located in Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard's northwestern coast. Facing Vineyard Sound, the beach offers
Located in walking distance from the Jaws Vineyard Haven ferry scene, the Martha's Vineyard Museum presents a comprehensive exhibition, Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive, May 24 - September 7, 2025, dedicated to the film’s production on Martha’s Vineyard. Through rare photographs, oral histories, original artwork, and authentic movie props, the Museum’s galleries recount the transformation of Martha’s Vineyard into Amity Island, highlight the contributions of Vineyarders both behind the scenes and on screen, and reflect on the film’s enduring legacy. Special Jaws programs and events are running throughout the summer.
Chilmark is a serene and picturesque town known for its rolling hills, stone walls, peaceful beaches and rural charm. The town is home to Menemsha, a fishing village and working harbor, where you can enjoy sunset views, fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and scenes made famous by Jaws. Film enthusiasts will find the scenes filmed here still look the same.
Tisbury is home to the picturesque harbor village of Vineyard Haven and the island’s only year-round ferry terminal. Take a stroll through streets lined with unique shops, savor fresh local flavors at welcoming restaurants, and immerse yourself in the town’s proud maritime heritage. Movie lovers will delight in discovering that Vineyard Haven’s serene beauty was featured in several iconic scenes of the fictional town of Amity in the classic film Jaws
West Tisbury offers a glimpse of Martha’s Vineyard’s rural charm. Experience its artisanal festivals, open fields, art galleries, and rustic scenery. While Jaws was filmed primarily along the coast, West Tisbury landscapes surely provided additional inspiration for the look and feel of Amity.
westtisbury-ma.gov
From the iconic Victorian Gingerbread Cottages, the lively harbor, family-friendly beaches like State Beach and vibrant cultural events such as the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Oak Bluffs offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and island charm. While Jaws was filmed in other parts of Martha’s Vineyard, Oak Bluffs played an essential behind-thescenes role, supporting the cast and crew with its welcoming and diverse atmosphere.
Aquinnah offers some of the Island’s most stunning natural scenery Martha’s Vineyard has to offer. Though not a central filming location, its iconic Gay Head Cliffs and rugged coastline were used in wide, scenic shots. Visitors can also explore breathtaking walking trails, or relax on the quiet, unspoiled beaches below the cliffs.
WATCH AND CELEBRATE THE FILM & VISIT THE ICONIC FILMING LOCATIONS!
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the five-time Oscar-nominated Jaws was brought to life on the shores of Martha’s Vineyard. This summer, the Island celebrates the film’s 50th anniversary with immersive screenings, behind-the-scenes tours, and unforgettable tributes to its iconic legacy.
Celebrate all things Jaws 50th, scan here.
