Perched on the eastern bluffs of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, East Chop Light has guided mariners through Vineyard Sound since 1878. This 40-foot cast-iron tower, painted a distinctive white, replaced an earlier wooden structure and remains an active aid to navigation today.

While the lighthouse is not open to public climbing, the surrounding Telegraph Hill offers excellent views of the tower against the harbor backdrop. Photographers favor golden hour, when warm light illuminates the lighthouse and Nantucket Sound beyond.

Visitors can explore nearby Oak Bluffs’ famous gingerbread cottages, the Flying Horses Carousel—America’s oldest operating carousel—and the charming downtown with its Victorian architecture and waterfront dining.

Explore Nearby

• Manuel F. Correllus State Forest — State Park in Massachusetts
• South Cape Beach State Park — State Park in Massachusetts
• Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) — Scenic Byway in Massachusetts
• Meteor Lakes Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Swamp Meadow Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina