A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Martha's Vineyard for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. It's also popular because of the museums, beaches, and hiking.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its museums and hiking. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Martha's Vineyard and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Jekyll Island is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Martha's Vineyard is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Martha's Vineyard. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Martha's Vineyard is a world class resort vacation destination. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Both Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard are considered to be very good beach destinations.

The beaches at Jekyll Island attract visitors from all over. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a great island for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

Families should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Martha's Vineyard. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jekyll Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Martha's Vineyard that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Martha's Vineyard if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jekyll Island.

One day in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

With museums around the destination of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

With museums around the natural island of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Jekyll Island is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard is more expensive. And not only is Jekyll Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jekyll Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jekyll Island and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard than you might in Jekyll Island.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Martha's Vineyard. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during summer. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jekyll Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In the autumn, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Martha's Vineyard can be very cold during winter. In January, Jekyll Island is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 53°F (12°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Jekyll Island during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Jekyll Island is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the spring, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Jekyll Island