Falmouth to Oak Bluffs in 23 Minutes Aboard the Quickwater

Want to get from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard in less than half an hour? Take the Quickwater, which regularly makes the trip to Oak Bluffs in about 23 minutes, several times a day, except Sundays, year-round.

Owned and operated by Patriot Party Boats of Falmouth, the 48-foot Quickwater is a converted oil rig crew boat from New Orleans, according to a 2007 article by Tom Flynn in Martha's Vineyard Magazine.


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Its chief business is freight: the Quickwater hauls newspapers and magazines, truck tires, car parts and other cargo between the mainland and the Vineyard.

But the vessel is also licensed to carry passengers and can accommodate up to 40.

A trip on this rugged little ferry is a very different experience from your usual, smooth Steamship Authority ride. There is no snack bar and the cargo is carried on deck, where things can get wet when the wind and sea are up.

An enclosed cabin offers passengers shelter from the elements, but there's no escaping the motion as the Quickwater breasts the waves.

The boat loads and unloads at the Clam Shack dock, at 227 Clinton St. near the entrance to Falmouth Harbor. Depending on the volume of freight, the boat may not depart on time, although Capt./Mate Rob Higgins said the Quickwater is usually only delayed on Thursday mornings when magazines are delivered and returned.

The ferry arrives in Oak Bluffs next to the Island Queen's berth, an easy stroll from shops, restaurants and bus routes to other Vineyard towns.

Passenger tickets are a flat $12 each way. A 10-ride ticket book costs $90 in advance. Bicycles are carried free with their riders' paid passage. There is also a water taxi service available: call 508-548-2626 for details.

Find out more at patriotpartyboats.com or call 508-548-2626 for schedule information.

Have you taken the Quickwater? How do you like the service? Tell us in the comments.

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