Moshup Beach (public)

If you haven’t visited Acquinnah/Moshup during your visit to Martha’s Vineyard, your trip is incomplete. If you have visited the Acquinnah overlook, but fail to make that hike down to Moshup Beach, you really missed out. Moshup beach is so unique and picturesque. It is kept at most pristine condition by totally being devoid of commercial activities. Thank god! Walking along the beach feels like you’re in another planet. Watching the magnificent cliff, browsing through all those unique rocks and marveling when that clean, crisp waves collide with awesome geographical formations. It is such an awesome experience I haven’t had anywhere in the world. There’s a parking lot near the beach, but I strongly recommend you to park at Acquinnah overlook and take a hike down the beach. The hike itself is another awesome experience. I am running out of adjectives to describe the beauty of it. Experience it yourself.

Gorgeous beach with beautiful sandy and rocky colourful cliffs. Absolutely recommend walking up north to the cliffs! Not a lot of people are there and it is absolutely peaceful. The rocks in the water feel magical Small note; some parts of the beach up north might be nudist, but no signs pointed to this so really not sure!

One of the most breathtaking beaches in Massachusetts. Rock formations, cairns, cliffs, sand, surf, seagulls, and sun. Keep walking past the clothing optional part of the beach to really feel the stark beauty and isolation of this magical place. Some old ruins falling into the ocean to checkout as well!

Beautiful and simple hike down to the beach on an accessible walk path. I thought from reviews it would be more of a hike and I’m not a huge fan of uphill hikes but coming up wasn’t bad at all. Beautiful views from the beach of the cliffs.

It's a beautiful beach with nice cliffs, even on a foggy day. But the biggest surprise was apparently the clothing optional section, a bit further north. 🫣 The saying held true, most people on nude beaches you don't want to see naked.

Parking can be tricky. Allow time to figure it out. In winter I can park anywhere so no problem. Anticipate a good walk to the clay cliffs. A must see in person. Pics didn’t inspire me until I physically saw it for myself. A large variety of rocks to explore also.

Beautiful beach, and maybe something more? To preface this story, I had no idea of the cultural significance of the cliffs when I walked to them via the beach, nor am I the new agey type that buys into healing crystals and such, nor am I even religious. Now that that is out of the way, I want to share the experience I had as I remember it. The day I was at Moshup Beach, which happened to be the summer solstice, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe at this place as I rounded a bend and was met with the clay cliffs. I have been to many beautiful places in the world like Zion, Bryce Canyon, etc, and I swear this was the most overwhelming feeling I ever received in a location like this. Something here was different. Shortly upon arriving, a specific boulder, perfect for sitting, and facing due west near the high tide line, drew me. Despite never ever being nude in public, I felt compelled to meditate, nude, atop the boulder. The sun directly ahead, the cliffs behind, and the sea breaking at the base of the boulder... everything felt aligned. It felt instinctual that this was the right place and this was the right time. As my breathing synced with the waves, I felt a sense of great pleasure from my head down my whole body... not sexual, but more like a caress between a mother and child, along with the accompanying feelings of bliss and peace. I don't understand what happened, but I do know it was a completely foreign experience for me that I may never experience again. I like to think it was Moshup's blessing, but... It's hard to believe even though it happened to me.

Honestly, one of the most beautiful natural beaches I've seen. No lifeguards or frills. And there's a nude beach somewhere close by, but I couldn't quite figure out the borders. Everyone seemed to be just fine, some nude, some not - very nice place to relax, walk up and down the beach to explore the rocks, clay cliffs (but definitely don't touch or remove) and swim. It seems parking is an issue at times - I was on foot, while staying at a local property, which made it very easy to access.