Best day trip from the resort: Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (one-day plan)
Quick answer: For a one-day island trip from Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, choose Martha’s Vineyard if you want a shorter high-speed ferry ride (about 45–60 minutes to Oak Bluffs) and easy town strolling; choose Nantucket if you prefer Nantucket town’s museum/shops scene and don’t mind a similar ~1-hour high-speed crossing or the longer Steamship Authority car ferry. Either island works as a full-day outing from Hyannis—leave early, take a high-speed ferry from the Hyannis terminal (220 Ocean St), and plan your island time around the scheduled ferry departures.
In this guide
Getting to the ferries from Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod
Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod sits in Hyannis at 1225 Iyannough Rd; the Hyannis ferry terminal (Hy-Line/Steamship Authority) is the departure point for day trips to both islands and is located at 220 Ocean St. Guests can reach the terminal from the resort by car or local transport — check current local schedules for buses or shuttles.
Ferry options and crossing times vary by carrier and route. Hy-Line Cruises runs a seasonal high-speed service to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard (about 45–60 minutes) and high-speed service to Nantucket (about one hour). The Steamship Authority also runs year-round service to Nantucket, including a traditional car ferry that takes longer (about 2.25 hours).
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Which island fits a one-day plan: quick comparison
Martha’s Vineyard (Oak Bluffs focus) is usually the shorter high-speed crossing and lends itself to a compact day of walking, sightseeing, beaches, and quick dining. Hy-Line lists Oak Bluffs as a common Martha’s Vineyard landing with crossings around 45–60 minutes.
Nantucket’s town center is walkable and offers shops and museums; high-speed ferries take about one hour from Hyannis. Steamship Authority runs a longer car ferry (about 2.25 hours) if you need vehicle access, which reduces usable island time for a single day.
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Martha’s Vineyard: Hy-Line high-speed ≈ 45–60 minutes
Nantucket: Hy-Line high-speed ≈ 1 hour; Steamship Authority car ferry ≈ 2.25 hours
One-day plan: Martha’s Vineyard (Oak Bluffs)
Start early: take a first or mid-morning Hy-Line high-speed ferry from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs (about 45–60 minutes), which gives you most of the day on the island. Oak Bluffs is compact and walkable — plan a mix of strolling the harbor, public beaches, and visiting the town center for shops and cafés.
Suggested timing: arrive mid-morning, explore Oak Bluffs and the harbor, have lunch at a local café, and if time allows take a short bus or taxi ride to nearby towns (check seasonal schedules). Return on a late afternoon or early evening ferry to Hyannis.
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Arrive Hyannis ferry terminal early to pick up tickets and check departure
Bring layers—island weather can be breezy even in summer and conditions change quickly on the water; seasons vary (best window May–October)
One-day plan: Nantucket
Choose a high-speed Hy-Line crossing (about one hour) to maximize time in Nantucket town; the Steamship Authority car ferry is an option when you must bring a vehicle but it takes longer (about 2.25 hours). Nantucket town is compact and mainly walkable from the ferry landing.
On the island, plan for strolling Main Street, visiting shops and museums, and having lunch at a waterfront restaurant. If you prefer cycling, look into local bike rentals on the island; confirm rental hours and availability ahead of time since those details vary seasonally.
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Use high-speed ferries for a day trip to get the most island time
If you need a car for your day on Nantucket, note the Steamship Authority car ferry is much slower—factor that into your schedule
Practical tips and timing from Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod
Plan on leaving the resort early to allow time for check-in at the Hyannis ferry terminal and to account for seasonal crowds. The resort concierge or front desk can confirm ferry schedules and the Hy-Line terminal address (220 Ocean St); the resort is close to Hyannis Harbor and ferry services.
Pick a room type to suit your post-trip needs. Options at the resort include Deluxe Room (Premium View), Deluxe Room, Park View (Waterpark View), Deluxe Room (Waterpark View), Deluxe Room, Balcony, Premium Room, Balcony, Premium Room (Courtyard Access), and Standard Room. If you want a balcony to return to after a long day, consider Deluxe Room, Balcony or Premium Room, Balcony.
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Confirm current ferry departure and return times directly with the ferry operator before you leave the resort
Bring a charged phone and portable charger—ferry terminals and islands have variable connectivity and you may want live schedule updates
What to pack and other island-day logistics
Pack water, sunscreen, a lightweight rain jacket, and shoes suitable for walking. If you plan to visit beaches, bring swimsuits and a towel; some ferry day-pass amenities differ and island vendors vary for rentals and food.
Tickets: buy ferry tickets in advance during peak season to secure preferred departure and return times. Hy-Line also offers an “Around the Sound” cruise option that visits both islands in a single day; check Hy-Line for current availability and schedules if that appeals to you.
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Purchase round-trip ferry tickets in advance when possible to lock your return time
Bring any medication and ID needed for the day—Hyannis check-in policies at the resort require a photo ID and credit card when you return to the hotel for check-in, and the resort’s minimum check-in age is 21
