Vacation Rentals in Katama, MA
Find stunning vacation rentals homes in Katama on Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoy serene island living in an unforgettable home with Portfolio Properties.
Properties for rent in Katama
A Light-filled Katama Escape Near Edgartown & the Ocean
- 3 Bedrooms
- 4.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 10
- No pets
Modern Katama Bay Retreat with Stunning Water Views & Ultimate Beach Proximity
- 3 Bedrooms
- 3.0 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 6
- No pets
Spacious Katama Farmhouse with Conservation Views & Expansive Grounds
- 5 Bedrooms
- 3.0 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 8
- No pets
Charming Katama Guest House with Conservation Views & Western Style
- 2 Bedrooms
- 1.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 5
- No pets
Field House in Katama with Heated Pool
- 4 Bedrooms
- 2.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 8
- No pets
Katama: Open Skies, Ocean Breezes, and Laid-Back Vineyard Living
Stretching just south of Edgartown, Katama offers a wide-open, beach-driven version of Martha’s Vineyard that feels relaxed, scenic, and effortlessly coastal. Known for its broad landscapes, bike paths, and proximity to some of the island’s best beaches, Katama blends easygoing summer energy with plenty of space to unwind. It’s a favorite for families, beach lovers, and anyone who wants room to breathe without being far from town.
Katama feels expansive in a way few Vineyard neighborhoods do. Homes sit on larger lots, roads are quiet, and the sky seems bigger. It’s casual, comfortable, and distinctly island.
Where Is Katama Located?
Katama lies just south of Edgartown, connected by scenic roads and bike paths that make it easy to get around without a car. Downtown Edgartown is minutes away, yet Katama feels worlds apart from the bustle of Main Street. Its location makes it ideal for visitors who want beach access and elbow room while staying close to restaurants, shops, and historic sites.
What Makes Katama Special?
The neighborhood is defined by its openness. Unlike more wooded parts of the island, Katama features rolling fields, wide roads, and unobstructed views that catch ocean breezes throughout the day. It’s also home to the Katama Airfield, a beloved island landmark where biplanes take off over grassy runways and visitors gather for lobster rolls and soft-serve ice cream.
Katama’s relaxed culture is part of its charm. You’ll see bikes more than cars, beach chairs strapped to racks, and people moving at a pace that matches the tides.
What Can You Do in Katama?
South Beach, also known as Katama Beach, is the area’s crown jewel. This long stretch of Atlantic coastline is known for powerful surf, dramatic dunes, and wide-open sand. It’s ideal for surfing, long beach walks, and watching the sun set over the ocean.
Biking is central to life in Katama. The bike path connecting Edgartown to South Beach runs straight through the neighborhood, making beach days easy and car-free. Nearby farms, including Morning Glory Farm, offer fresh produce, baked goods, and a true taste of Vineyard agriculture.
What Is It Like Staying in Katama?
Days in Katama revolve around the outdoors. Mornings start with bike rides and coffee, afternoons at the beach, and evenings grilling outside as the sun drops behind the fields. It’s quiet at night, with clear skies and cooling breezes rolling in from the ocean.
Vacation rentals in Katama are typically spacious homes designed for summer living. Many feature large decks, yards, and easy access to bike paths and beaches, making them perfect for longer stays and group vacations.
Is Katama Right for Your Vacation?
Katama is ideal if your vision of Martha’s Vineyard includes beach days, open space, and an easy rhythm that feels natural rather than curated. You’re close to Edgartown’s elegance, but grounded in a setting that’s casual, scenic, and refreshingly unpretentious.
Book your Katama vacation rental today and enjoy one of the Vineyard’s most iconic beachside neighborhoods.
Four reasons families settle into Katama and stay for the summer.
An ocean beach at the foot of the neighborhood, a grass airfield where biplanes still take off, a car-free path to downtown Edgartown, and a horizon that feels bigger than the rest of the island.
A three-mile barrier beach at the end of the road.
South Beach, also called Katama Beach, runs roughly three miles along the Atlantic side of the island. It is the local surf beach: real waves, real dunes, wide open sand. Lifeguarded sections operate in summer through the Town of Edgartown. Mornings here are usually quiet, afternoons fill in, and evenings turn over to long beach walks as the light drops.
- What’s nearby
- South Beach (Katama)
- Norton Point Beach
- Edgartown Great Pond
Biplanes over grass runways since 1924.
Katama Airfield is the oldest continuously operating grass airfield in the United States, opened in 1924 and protected as town conservation land. Classic Aviators runs open-cockpit biplane rides from the field all summer. The Right Fork Diner at the airfield serves breakfast and lobster rolls with planes taking off thirty feet from your table. It is a working piece of aviation history with a community grill attached.
- What’s nearby
- Katama Airfield (KMVY satellite)
- Right Fork Diner
- Classic Aviators biplane rides
A paved path straight to Main Street.
The Edgartown to South Beach bike path runs about three miles through the heart of Katama, connecting the neighborhood to downtown Edgartown in one direction and to the beach in the other. Many residents barely drive in season. You can ride to coffee, to dinner, to the dock for a charter, or to the sand, all without getting in a car.
- What’s nearby
- Edgartown-South Beach bike path
- Downtown Edgartown
- Morning Glory Farm
Wide-open grassland that catches every ocean breeze.
Most of central Katama sits on the Katama Plains, one of the largest stretches of sandplain grassland left in New England, protected by Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation and the Trustees. The sky is bigger here. The sunsets pull. Lots are larger than almost anywhere else on the Vineyard, and the breeze off the ocean keeps moving through the neighborhood all day.
- What’s nearby
- Katama Farm
- Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation preserves
- The Trustees of Reservations land
Katama rentals at a glance.
Katama is the open plain south of Edgartown village, and the rental story here is South Beach. Three miles of Atlantic frontage at the end of the road, a bike path back to downtown, and rentals built for big groups on big lots.
What you’ll be near
What you’ll be staying in
When to book
Questions renters ask about Katama.
Answers our rental team gives most often when guests are planning a Katama stay on Martha's Vineyard.
When should I book a Katama rental for summer?
Most July and August Katama rentals book between January and March. South Beach-adjacent homes go fastest. For peak summer, we recommend booking 4-6 months ahead.
What is the typical minimum stay for a Katama rental?
In peak summer, most Katama rentals are 7-night Saturday-to-Saturday bookings. In shoulder and off-season, 3-night minimums are common.
Can renters access South Beach (Katama Beach)?
Yes. South Beach is public with no resident restriction. It is the main reason most people rent in Katama. Many Katama rentals are within walking or biking distance of South Beach, with the Edgartown-Katama bike path running directly through the area.
Are pets allowed in Katama vacation rentals?
About 35% of our Katama rentals are pet-friendly. Pet policies are set by individual owners. Typical pet fees are $150-$300.
How much are cleaning fees for a Katama rental?
Cleaning fees in Katama typically range $300 to $600 depending on home size. The cleaning fee is shown on each listing before booking.
How far is Katama from downtown Edgartown?
Katama is about 3 miles south of downtown Edgartown, an easy bike ride on the Katama bike path or a short drive. Many Katama rentals are car-light because of the bike path and the proximity of the South Beach shuttle.
What is the off-season for Katama rentals?
Off-season runs October through May. Many Katama rentals are available year-round at 50-65% off peak rates. Fall is especially popular for Katama because of the long beach walks and milder crowds.
Is Katama a good rental spot for families and groups?
Katama is one of the best family and group rental towns on the Vineyard. Open lots, larger homes, bike-path access to South Beach, and proximity to Edgartown make it especially well-suited for multi-generational stays.
What is the cancellation policy for a Katama rental?
Cancellation policies vary by property. Most peak-season rentals require a non-refundable deposit and full payment 60-90 days before arrival. Travel insurance is available at booking.
Are Katama rentals available year-round?
Many are. Katama has good year-round rental availability, with some seasonal-only homes closing after Columbus Day.
Reading for the Katama curious.
What’s Happening in Edgartown’s Real Estate Market Right Now
Katama is a sub-area of Edgartown, so the Edgartown market is the market. A current read on pricing, volume, and what buyers are watching.
Read articleBest Beaches to Explore on Martha’s Vineyard in the Off-Season
South Beach is a different place in October than it is in July. A guide to which Vineyard beaches keep paying off after the summer crowd leaves.
Read articleWaterfront Due Diligence on Martha’s Vineyard
If you are looking at South Beach proximity or any Katama lot near the water, read this first. FEMA flood zones, septic, and coastal access rights.
Read articlePlanning a stay in Katama?
Portfolio Properties manages one of the most curated selections of Katama vacation rentals on Martha's Vineyard. From open-field homes with bike-path access to South Beach to larger family compounds, Katama rentals give you Edgartown's amenities minutes away with the island's biggest skies and easiest beach days. 25 years working the Katama market means we know which homes deliver what they promise.