BYO Kayak
The one truly public beach on the ocean side in Chilmark is the tiny Land Bank property called the Chilmark Pond Preserve. It’s like a local miracle, even if you have to bring your own kayak or canoe and paddle across the pond to get to the beach. Parking is limited.
From the Land Bank‘s Website:
Located on the down-slope of Abel’s Hill, this property offers high and long views of the Chilmark Lower Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. A lone, plaintive oak — whose backdrop is the barrier beach’s dune — inhabits the grassy field at pond edge. The canoe drop is sited near the pond’s vortex, providing a wide view for birders. Also owned by the Land Bank are two stretches of Atlantic Ocean beach; access is via canoe and kayak only, which visitors themselves must supply. Private beaches are adjacent and signs indicate the limits of public ownership.
Getting There: Start at the intersection of the South Road and the Meetinghouse Road. Travel 0.8 miles in the direction of Aquinnah; preserve is located on left. Be careful to use only the driveway marked by the Land Bank logo; all others are private. Parking and access are limited and visitors may have to be turned away; please have an alternate destination in mind if you are planning a trip to this property. Ocean beaches can be accessed only via canoe and kayak (0.2 miles across the pond); be sure to land only on the marked Land Bank beaches.
