Location
United States
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
July to September
About Moshup Beach
Moshup Beach, also called Aquinnah or Gay Head Public Beach, lies at the western tip of Martha's Vineyard in the town of Aquinnah, below the multicoloured clay cliffs of Gay Head that are a National Natural Landmark and sacred to the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe. From the dune path the beach runs as a long ribbon of sand and rounded stones beneath the cliffs. Head toward the cliffs and you pass a sign warning that beyond that point you may encounter nude sunbathing; the stretch past it, sometimes called Zack's Beach, is where people go nude. It is not an official nude beach: a town bylaw technically prohibits nude bathing, and town officials have said it is not enforced. The water is open Atlantic, clear and cold, with the sunset over the ocean a big draw. Climbing on the cliffs or taking or smearing the clay is prohibited, and the tribe owns much of the cliff face. Visitors include islanders, day-trippers and longtime summer regulars, and the crowd thins the farther you walk.
Getting there
Drive up-island to Aquinnah; the beach lot is on Moshup Trail near the Gay Head Lighthouse and cliffs. The town charges a daily parking fee in summer (reported as $30 per day since 2020, with spaces limited); confirm with the Town of Aquinnah. From the lot, a sandy boardwalk and dune path take about 10 minutes to reach the sand, then walk north-west along the beach toward the cliffs past the nudity sign. Some stretches are stony and tide-dependent, so wear water shoes. Restrooms are near the parking area. Not wheelchair-friendly beyond the boardwalk.
What visitors say
Visitors praise the cliffs, the clear water and the sunsets, and describe the nude stretch past the sign as low-key, with curious passers-by sometimes wandering through. Practical complaints centre on the cost and scarcity of summer parking and on stony footing, so water shoes are recommended. Town officials and some families have complained about nudists walking into clothed areas and about inappropriate behaviour, so staying beyond the sign matters.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Aquinnah has a bylaw prohibiting nude bathing, but selectmen have said it is not enforced and nudity is tolerated beyond the warning sign near the cliffs. Since about 2006 the police chief and the Wampanoag Tribe have raised concerns about inappropriate behaviour and nudists straying into other areas; disturbing the cliffs or clay is illegal.
Naturism at Moshup Beach sits under United States's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 41.3300, -70.7900
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Moshup Beach?
Not officially. A town bylaw bans nude bathing but is not enforced past the sign near the cliffs, where nude sunbathing is common.
Where is the nude section?
Walk along the beach toward the Gay Head cliffs; beyond the sign warning of nude sunbathing (an area called Zack's Beach) is where people go nude.
How much is parking?
The town charges a daily fee in summer, reported at $30 since 2020, with limited spaces.
Can I use the clay for a mud bath?
No. The cliffs are protected and the clay belongs to the Wampanoag Tribe; climbing, removing or applying it is prohibited.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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