It’s almost Shark Week and there is plenty of shark activity off the coast of the Bay State.
Did you know you can help track shark sightings through the Sharktivity App? Public sightings submitted through the app are verified by the New England Aquarium and help increase awareness and promote safety.
While you may not spot any 25-ft mechanical sharks named Bruce, the iconic film “Jaws” wasn’t too far fetched for selecting Massachusetts as the set for the fictional town of Amity.
Rumor has it that Martha’s Vineyard was not the first choice to film “Jaws.” A ferry detour lead prevented the location scout from visiting Nantucket, and they discovered that the Vineyard is pretty jawsome.
The Edgartown Town Hall was built in 1828 and was the location for scenes in the blockbuster movie “Jaws.”
Photo by @crispinhaskinsmvy
Here are a few fin-tastic facts about four filming locations.
Town Hall
The town hall in the film is the actual town hall for the town of Edgartown, where much of the film was set. It’s still in use today and is open to the public Monday through Friday.
American Legion Memorial Bridge
One of the most memorable “Jaws” locations is the bridge connecting Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. It’s actually referred to in real life as the “Jaws Bridge,” and is a popular location for visitors to jump into the ocean.
Chappy Ferry
This small ferry transports visitors from Edgartown to the island of Chappaquiddick, about 527 ft away. This is the same ferry in the “Jaws” scene where the mayor tried to convince Brody that there is no danger in the water.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Of course, we had to include the location where all the action goes down. Visitors can brave a swim in the same location where the character Alex Kinter gets bitten by a shark.
