I'm a regular visitor to Martha's Vineyard (MV) but I never kayaked there until just after Labor Day this year. I brought over my Stellar S18 Excel sea-kayak and did five days of some of the best kayaking.
I am able to stay in a house overlooking Lagoon Pond in Oak Bluffs. I can launch from there by carrying my 33 lb kayak down some wood stairs to a narrow beach. (Public launches are available. Contact local outfitter “Wind's Up” and they can supply you with a map.)
On my first day, I headed out of Lagoon Pond early in the morning on calm water. I paddled out past Vineyard Haven Harbor and around to the west past the West Chop and into Vineyard Sound. There are several nice homes along the shore, an on-shore lighthouse at West Chop and the beautiful Tisbury Town Beach with all its sand dunes. I ventured into Lake Tashmoo where there are a few osprey nests before heading back. (Osprey are plentiful on MV.) On my way back the West Chop was rough but I arrived safely back at the house a little over 4 hours later with some body stiffness and a sore butt. I am 60 years old, so I planned for the next day, I will limit my paddling to 3½ hours.
The next day I headed out again from the Lagoon but this time I headed east around the East Chop into Nantucket Sound and toward downtown Oak Bluffs. I paddled by an on-shore lighthouse at East Chop, past the quaint downtown Oak Bluffs and headed southeast along the very long public State Beach. I found opportunities on all my trips to land, get out and stretch, but looking at my watch, it was time to head back. I paddled into some wind and waves on the way back between East Chop and Lagoon Pond and tidal currents getting into the Lagoon, but I made it back safely after 3½ hours. I'm feeling my age again, so I planned the next day I will limit my paddling to 2½ hours. In case you hadn't noticed, there is a pattern here but I am enjoying every minute of my kayaking.
On the fourth day, I drove to the Edgartown Great Pond which is along the south shore of the island and separated from the Atlantic Ocean by narrow sand dunes. It was fun driving through the woods on a narrow dirt road to get there. The pond is surrounded by woods and I was able to land and walk over to the ocean side to take a few photos of the crashing waves and endless beach. I also got some great shots of the morning sun breaking through some clouds with pastel colors. I am the only one on the pond but it is time to head home and I wasn't looking at my watch.
On the last day, I drove to the Tisbury Great Pond which is also along the south shore and separated from the Atlantic Ocean by sand dunes. And again, it was fun getting there on a few miles of winding dirt roads through the woods of the Sepiessa Point Reservation. I must go back there to do some hiking.
Photo albums of each of the five trips can be viewed by going to:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kayaking-in-and-around-the-Norwalk-Islands/407251000544
And have a happy and safe paddle wherever you go!