Martha’s Vineyard provides some stunning Oversand driving. An easy ferry from Woods Hole on Cape Cod, the Island has a rich history of exploring its beaches Oversand. MV has a handful of different Oversand Permits: Trustees Cape Poge and Leland Pass Permit, the Trustees ‘All Over’ Permit and the Norton Point Beach Sticker. These permits provide access to some of the best beaches on the Island.

Martha’s Vineyard Oversand Driving

Norton Point Beach Sticker

Purchased through the town website, the Norton Point beach sticker provides beach driving access to the Island’s South Shore in Edgartown. The gatehouse and sticker pick-up is located at 555 Katama Rd in Edgartown.

See where you can drive with the Norton Point Beach Sticker on our guide.

Cape Poge Permit, Leland Pass Permit and ‘All Over’ Permit

Purchased either in person or online the Cape Poge and Leland Pass Permit provides some of the very best OSV driving in Massachusetts. Located on Chappaquiddick Island, Cape Poge and Leland Pass are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of some of the other beaches on the Island. Chappy beach driving is quaint and secluded.

See where you can drive with the Cape Poge and All Over Permit on our guide.

Driving out on the sand at Cape Poge and Leland Beach

After airing down in the Mytoi Gatehouse lot you will drive East down Dike road and cross over the infamous dike bridge. Once across, the beach attendant will see that you have your sticker, and may stop to check your tire pressures. Once past the attendant, you can go either straight out to the beach, south on the inner road or north on the inner road. Depending on time of year, tide and nesting birds, some of these paths may be closed. Typically, beach driving is limited through the Months of June and July until the native birds are done nesting. See map below for different trail options, but always be sure to call before, or check the gatehouse for daily closures.

See the requirements for driving on Cape Poge Beach here.

Trustees Cape Poge and Leland Reserve: Author’s Take

Chappy provides some of the most fun beach driving in the state of Massachusetts. Tons of different areas to explore and plenty of incredible slices of beach to set up shop. Unfortunately for the summer of 2023, much of the Island’s famous beach driving roads were closed due to conflict with homeowners out on the beach. On the northernmost tip of Chappy, there are several homes around the Cape Poge lighthouse. This chopped the accessible terrain by probably 25%. However there is news from the Trustees that they have reached an agreement with the homeowners, and those roads will be back open for summer 2024. 

Getting out on Chappy is always a blast, even on busy summer weekends at Norton (which will close down once capacity is hit) the Chappy beaches are always nice and quiet with plenty of room to spread out. While the Trustees permit and beach attendants are the least easy-going group of the Trustees oversand properties, it’s well worth having all the gear and jumping through the hoops to get out Oversand!

Martha’s Vineyard Oversand Recap

The island of Marth’s Vineyard is truly best enjoyed Oversand. So much incredible natural beauty to explore on its world class beaches. Norton, while crowded at times, is a great place to Oversand. Cape Poge and Leland on Chappy are truly incredible (especially when they’re 100% open, unlike summer 2023). For just Oversanding, the ‘All Over’ permit, to me, isn’t worth the added price. It provides the same exact beach driving as the Cape Poge and Leland Pass and adds admission to some of the Trustees Gardens. If you’re there to drive, opt for the Cape Poge and Leland Pass Permit, if you want to check out the gardens, go for the ‘All-Over.’ Choosing between the Norton and Cape Poge and Leland Pass is also a relatively no-brainer. Driving out on chappy is much of an experience. You spend the whole day, taking the Chappy Ferry over and exploring all of the terrain Cape Poge and Leland have to offer. Norton is much more accessible, and therefore much more busy. At times during the summer the beach will reach capacity and 4x4s won’t be able to make it out. Accessibility vs. Adventure, the choice is yours!