Vineyard Haven Launch Service

Moorings here can be rolly from ferry wakes unless you take one close to the breakwater, as they go more slowly as they approach the harbor. Sometimes the current can set you broadside to the waves, also making it rolly. My big peeve, however, is the cost, which is much too high.

Launch service is prompt and professional as in years past. Thank you Shep!

Good service with pleasant staff.

Easy mooring to pick up and easy access to town dinghy dock. Can get a wee bit bouncy if wind is from NE - but that is not often. Third year that we have stayed here.

All went smooth, not much more to say.

Because of engine trouble we had to pass on VH. It is always great.

I would give them 5 but when you get on the launch you are suddenly surprised with a $2 per person cash only fee each way (plus of course you’re going to tip on top of this). This should be listed on Dockwa so you are prepared. So for a family of 4 that can add up real quick. Make sure you bring the $ if you want to take the launch or dinghy over to the town docks where it’s free.

Very nice experience in these outer harbor moorings. Launch service was useful, but nowhere was it mentioned that it’s $2 per person per ride, plus tip. Town dock is right inside the jetty and there is a cut right by the beach that makes it a short dingy ride. A front went through during our last night, and with its north wind it was a very bumpy five hours until it passed. It’s well protected from any other direction.

Beautiful marina, staff very helpful!

Friendly and helpful

Launch did not run on schedule. Stopped service one day at 6 PM.

Responsive, friendly and informative launch service. Easy access from mooring and quiet overnight. Town small but has everything

It was all ok until the Patrol boat circled us twice at 9am. I repeatedly said hello and got no response. He latched onto our boat still without saying a word then said when did you arrive and did you pay for the mooring. We arrived the day before at 12:45 and paid through Dockwa. He said he didn’t have that information and then he left. Strange.

Very easy place to leave your boat and enjoy martha vineyard. The launch service was very convenient. The only downside was it wasn’t running until July 1 and we came in on june 31 for the Fourth of July weekend. They quickly realized the error of their ways and got their launch up and running by6:00pm.

Good mooring, clean pennant, friendly service. One big star removed due to the launch fenders having creosote gum on them and marking up our topsides. When pointed out to two launch drivers, it was met with a shrug and a “there is supposed to be a carpet cover”.

Good launch service. Nice facilities on land. Would go back.

We have been here many times and always enjoy it. The mooring are just outside the crowded breakwater area and pretty calm. However the launch is very low and operators not as pleasant as some so if your ship rides high you may need a dinghy. Another plus is the discount on the launch for using their moorings.

Too choppy as it’s outside the breakwater. Not protected from a northeasterly blow. We switched to the town mooring inside.

Proactive, courteous people and the most beautiful of settings!

VH is a great place for dinning and shopping. Not that calm but all depends what you are looking for. Spent 2 nights on an outside mooring with SW 25 to 30 kt & + in gust with no issues. Launch service even came to pick us up even if conditions were marginal for it. As others have posted before, VH Launch service is great and they are ready to help even in high season. They obviously have more patience than me!

Nice harbor and town. Had fun.

Always love Vineyard Haven! Responsive and helpful on arrival, very friendly launch operators.

Fantastic response on VHF when arrived and very easy access to everything just off breakwater. We will be back! Thank you.

The marina is convenient and nice but was overpriced.

We really enjoy the prompt response for mooring reservations! The view outside breakwater is great. The launch drivers are friendly and skilled pilots and also add a touch of charm to the island visit. Also concerned with safety and patiently allowed us to discuss our options prior to the storm. As luck would have it we has 2 day window of beautiful weather and favorable tide to get back to RI. will always return to the friendly and skilled people at Vinyard Haven Launch.

Moorings outside have gone to an "absurd price". $70/Night for a 'rock & roll' mooring. Are you real ??? Plan on anchoring at best and save $70/Night. There are a LOT of open areas for anchoring if you can take the VH environment.

Very nice place. Communication could be better with the moorings. When we arrived we couldn’t get anyone to answer our hail and when the office finally answered the phone they said it was because they were busy with the Alabama (charters?) but the mooring field was so full and the Haven mooring balls were not marked as such (they are marked G&B Rentals??). Anyway it was a bit hairy moving for a while through the mooring field to find our mooring. As it stood there were poachers on all but one and so our friends had to wait u til a patrol boat came to move people who were not supposed to be on balls that we had reserved -they dont “assign” you a ball it’s just “pick up a mooring ball” and finally the. I’ve woman on the phone said “oh they are the ones closest to the break water rocks” so we could have used that info right away. But for the most part it was very nice. Nice city. The fact that it’s a dry Island made it a bit different for us as tourists. As my friend said “you shouldn’t have to work this hard to sit on the water and have a beer” But we lucked out to be there for a “first Friday” a city party I would recommend. Bonfire in the beach , live music, kids running all around. Very fun and nostalgic.

Launch driver needs lessons

Nice Mooring - Great Spot! Convenient for exploring the island and nice for relaxing ⛵

VH village is a bit of a madhouse in August, but otherwise perfect!

Launch service captain missing when trying to return to boat. Had to wait 1-1/2 hrs on the dock. Lost the evening. Their launch service is the only one in the harbor.

Quiet morning with mostly calm water. Enjoyed the stay here even though you have to pay each time you have to go ashore $4 per person.

Good launch service otherwise information was suboptimal compared with other marinas. Not sure where their facilities are.

Very confusing to figure out which mooring to get and no one to talk to. We were also told there would be launch service for an additional fee. There was no launch service.

Staff was great, very, good directions. Launch service worked well

The mooring field is exposed to a north or north west wind. Luckily it was a south west wind while we were there. Even at that it can be choppy as there is a breakwater and the water is funneled in from the harbor and bounces off the breakwater. Other than that it was fine!

Great location for hearing VH music festival!

Did not have a mooring despite me booking here and reserving one. Had to wait a bit for them to find one on the other side of the harbor. In addition, waited an hour for the launch service and finally gave up and had to borrow a ride from someone on the beach who had a dinghy. There was a woman on the dock who said the launch service was not available and was reserved for another company. No one ever informed us this would be the case.

Excellent mooring gear in great condition. Launch service was also first rate.

Great location very easy to find. Very peaceful at night

The weekend was Great!

Very nice- launch operators friendly and helpful

Beautiful marina with excellent staff!! We’ll be back.

Our mooring was great and the Harbormaster’s were very helpful helping us get a second mooring for our friends. Great location. Pump out was great and they were even able to help me get a document printed. Great being so close to town and Stop and Shop. Thank you. We will be back.

Great spot and the launch folks weee courtesy and helpful! We brought over our bikes and there was no issue loading it into the launch! Thanks Vineyard Haven Launch!!

Moorings were easy to find and well placed. Not all have pendants. Launch was timely and very polite. Price is very reasonable.

The mooring had lines that were easy to bring aboard and tie off. The only issue is their launch service. They are using an old work boat which is very low. It was very difficult to get off my boat and even more difficult to get back onto my boat. I had to stand on a large ice chest so that the step was high enough to get back onto my boat as well as my husband pulling me. It was windy and the boat was rocking. Anyone with health concerns such as bad knees, backs, elderly should not consider using their launch. It should not be called a launch boat.

Our two days at VH were excellent. The launch service was very professional, personal and timely. I'd definitely come back.

Moorings well managed. Pendants in great condition. Launch reliable and timely.

Gave us a mooring just outside the outer harbor, the Launch Drivers were great!

The Vineyard Haven Launch Service (VHLS) portion of this trip was outstanding. They easily directed us to our assigned mooring and provided prompt launch service when we decided to go ashore. The discounted launch service charge because we were using one of their moorings was a pleasant surprise. The mooring outside the breakwater was fairly calm once the ferries stopped running and was never very bad, but then we had southwest winds for our entire stay. Winds from the east would be a problem. Vineyard Haven as a town leaves much to be desired. The area within walking distance of the launch dock was pretty dull. It was a hot, humid day and there was no shade to speak of. The shops on Main Street sold mostly clothing. There were two ice cream parlors that both had interesting flavors. Our frustration with Vineyard Haven resulted from an inability to find a restaurant that was air conditioned and offered reasonable prices. There were a lot of take out places or restaurants that offered outdoor seating. We needed to cool off - but couldn’t. The Stop & Shop is handy if you need groceries. One major attraction is the new Martha’s Vineyard Museum on Lagoon Pond Rd. It’s new, cool and offers a good history of the Island. As a bonus, on Tuesdays after 5pm admission is free. Definitely worth a stop.

Good mooring, good communication, fair price.

Moorings are outside breakwater so lots of wakes and swell. Easy to get to and plenty of swing space. Launch service is not included but you do get a break on the price. The launch operators were very courteous and helpful. Nice free Town showers and water at Owen Park. Showers open until around dusk (no posted hours). There is also a town dinghy dock at the beach at Owen park. Stop and Shop an easy walk from launch dock. Don’t leave without eating breakfast at ArtCliff diner! There’s a line at 7 am when they open but it’s totally worth it.

We love being here. Beautiful all around. Shep and the launch drivers are exceptional in every way: thoughtful, courteous, reliable and fun to talk with. Lots of beautiful wooden sailing vessels to watch. And ashore good restaurants, shops, grocery steps away as well as bus service to rest of island.