Martha's Vineyard Is Screening Jaws in the Water Where It Was Filmed

The Announcement

Watching Jaws from a beach chair is one thing. Watching it while floating in the actual waters of Martha's Vineyard after dark is something else entirely.

Visit Martha's Vineyard announced that JAWS: On Amity Island — A Waterfront Movie Experience is coming to Owen Park in Tisbury on Saturday, July 11. The event is a partnership with Discovery Channel's Shark Week, which kicks off July 26, with additional community support from Mansion House. Attendees will watch the film while floating in the waters of Martha's Vineyard, the same location where Steven Spielberg shot the 1975 classic in the summer of 1974.

Image Source: Visit Martha's Vineyard via Facebook

Attendees will be in the water for the screening, and the organizers are already warning that tickets and VIP seating will be extremely limited. Community support comes from Mansion House, and sign-ups for early ticket notification are open now.

Why Martha's Vineyard

This isn't just some random beach town cashing in on movie nostalgia. In the spring of 1974, Universal Studios chose Martha's Vineyard as the stand-in for Amity Island, the fictional seaside town at the center of Peter Benchley’s Jaws. A young Steven Spielberg pushed hard to film on location instead of a studio backlot, and the island became deeply woven into the production. Locals helped wrangle boats, build sets, and even appeared as extras throughout filming. For months, the production became part of everyday life on the Vineyard.

Image Credit: Photo by Edith Blake, MV Museum

The result was more than just a hit movie. Jaws helped invent the modern summer blockbuster and turned Martha’s Vineyard into a place film fans still pilgrimage to decades later. That connection runs deep enough that the Martha's Vineyard Museum has dedicated exhibition space to the movie, including behind-the-scenes photographs by Vineyard Gazette photographer Edith Blake, original merchandise, and a detailed model of the Orca, the fishing boat central to the film’s final act. The museum even hosted a major 50th anniversary exhibition spanning 2024 into 2025.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets and VIP seating are not yet on sale, but you can sign up at the event's page to be first in line when they drop. Given that this is a one-night event on a small island in July, expect them to go fast.

If you're planning a trip around it, July on Martha's Vineyard means peak summer season. Ferry reservations from Woods Hole fill up well in advance, so book your travel sooner rather than later.

There's no better place in the world to watch Jaws than floating in the water off Martha's Vineyard after dark. Just try not to think too hard about what's underneath you. The island has spent fifty years living with this film's legacy, and this event feels like the right way to celebrate it, on the water, after dark, exactly where it all began. If you've ever wanted to feel genuinely unsettled by a movie you've already seen a dozen times, this is your chance.

FAQ: Jaws Martha's Vineyard Screening

Where is the Jaws floating screening taking place?

At Owen Park in Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

When is the event?

Saturday, July 11.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets aren't on sale yet. Sign up at the event's Mailchimp page to be notified when they go on sale.

Is the screening actually in the water?

Yes, attendees will float in the waters of Martha's Vineyard while watching the film.

Who is hosting the event?

Visit Martha's Vineyard and the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Discovery Channel's Shark Week and with support from Mansion House.

Was Jaws actually filmed on Martha's Vineyard?

Yes. Spielberg filmed on location in the summer of 1974, using Martha's Vineyard as the stand-in for the fictional Amity Island.

Is Martha's Vineyard the real Amity Island?

Yes. While Amity Island is fictional, Martha's Vineyard served as the filming location for the 1975 movie. Many locals appeared in the film and the island has embraced the connection ever since.

Will there be VIP options?

Yes, VIP seating is mentioned though details are still coming. Availability is described as extremely limited.

What is Shark Week 2026?

Shark Week is Discovery Channel's annual programming event dedicated to shark content. The 2026 edition begins Sunday,

July 26, just two weeks after the Martha's Vineyard screening.

What is there to do on Martha's Vineyard in July?

July is peak season on the Vineyard, with beaches, seafood, ferry trips, and local events. The Jaws screening on July 11 is shaping up to be one of the summer's most unique experiences on the island.

How do I get to Martha's Vineyard?

The most common route is by ferry from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, operated by the Steamship Authority. Reservations fill up fast in summer, especially for vehicles, so book as early as possible.