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# Martha’s Vineyard Town Allows Nude Sunbathing, Swimming At Public Beach
- URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/marthas-vineyard-town-allows-nude-sunbathing-swimming-at-public-beach/
- Published: 2026-06-23T13:38:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-23T13:38:13.000Z
- Description: A Martha’s Vineyard town says people may legally swim and sunbathe nude at part of a public beach.
- Author: Tom Joyce
- Tags: News, Culture, Politics, #lead

A Martha's Vineyard town says people may legally swim and sunbathe nude at part of a public beach.

The Town of Chilmark allows clothing-optional bathing and sunbathing at a section of Lucy Vincent Beach, according to the town's beach superintendent.

The town's beach rules [say](https://www.chilmarkma.gov/beach-committee/pages/beach-rules-regulations?ref=newbostonpost.com): "No nude bathing within the first 1,500 feet of the beach entrance."

NewBostonPost asked Chilmark Beach Superintendent Martina Mastromonaco whether that means people may bathe nude beyond the first 1,500 feet of the beach.

"Yes," Mastromonaco said in an email.

NewBostonPost also asked whether the rule applies only to swimming or also covers nude sunbathing.

"Clothing optional bathing and sunbathing only 1,500 feet to the left of the main path," Mastromonaco said.

Mastromonaco said Lucy Vincent Beach is the only town beach in Chilmark where the town allows nude bathing or nude sunbathing.

The town bans nude bathing at Squibnocket Beach and Menemsha Beach, according to its posted beach rules.

The town requires vehicle stickers and walk-on passes for Lucy Vincent Beach from June 1 through Sept. 15, according to its website. The town sells the passes only to Chilmark residents and their renters.

A full-season vehicle pass for Lucy Vincent Beach costs $100, according to the town. A walk-on pass for Lucy Vincent Beach and Squibnocket Beach costs $25.

Menemsha Beach does not require a beach pass.

The town's website describes Lucy Vincent Beach as a town beach on the south shore of Martha's Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard is not the only Massachusetts island where beachgoers can legally undress more than usual.

Nantucket voters [approved](https://www.newbostonpost.com/nantucket-town-meeting-approves-bylaw-allowing-women-to-go-topless-at-beaches/) a bylaw in 2022 that allows anyone to go topless on public or private beaches. Then-Attorney General Maura Healey [approved](https://www.newbostonpost.com/maura-healey-approves-nantuckets-topless-beach-bylaw/) the bylaw later that year, but it does not allow full nudity.