Nomans Land (Massachusetts)

Nomans Land is a small, uninhabited island off the southern coast of Massachusetts, south of Martha’s Vineyard. The island covers roughly 640 acres and is managed for wildlife and habitat conservation.

The island is not a regular visitor destination - it contains open grassland, shrubby vegetation and shoreline used by seabirds and other wildlife. Public access is highly restricted and visits are generally only permitted for conservation work or escorted trips under special permit.

The island was used by the U.S. military as a bombing and gunnery range during the 20th century; military activity left unexploded ordnance in places and led to ongoing safety controls. Management has since shifted to federal conservation authorities who oversee habitat protection and limited remediation.

Nomans Land sits several miles south of Martha’s Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, separated from the Vineyard by open Atlantic waters. The nearest populated places are on Martha’s Vineyard; there are no regular transport services to the island.

• Size: Approximately 640 acres (about 260 hectares) in size, lying offshore and managed for conservation rather than public recreation.
• Access/Safety: Closed to casual visitation because the island was used as a U.S. military bombing range; access requires permits and is controlled due to unexploded ordnance.