Island Alpaca Company of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States

5MVYvisitor 5:00 PM Dec 25, 2022

Always have a good time at the Alpaca farm and love the Alpaca clothing
We have visited the farm a number of times and always enjoy ourselves. During our last visit we got to watch a newborns and a few mothers close to delivery time. The staff explained everything and patiently answered everyone's questions. Very professional. We also purchased scarves and gloves from the gift shop that held up well for several winters. It's surprising how warm they are without a lot of bulk. They're not cheap but very durable so worth the initial cost because they last so long. We're both allergic to wool but no problem with alpaca knits.

5Tim J 5:00 PM Sep 1, 2020

Finally Walked an Alpaca!
We visit Island Alpaca each year we visit the Vineyard. Our routine typically involves us getting on the 7 bus at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs and taking it to the roundabout where they will drop you off at the roundabout. If you tell the bus driver where you intend on going they will often inform you, upon exiting, of where to go (stay in the cross walk and go through the cross walk and onto the left hand side of the street). You've got about a ten minute walk ahead of you, but you'll definitely be able to tell where the entrance is (there is a sign and flag) that opens to a parking lot and a small shack on the right of a road where you pay to enter. We'll usually watch the Alpaca's (the Llama was sold off a few years ago) and eventually go shopping for some alpaca related items (they have bed spreads, winter jackets, gloves and other apparel to keep warm). This year though we decided to pay the extra money and try walking the alpaca's. We arrived about half an hour before our assigned time (10am) and checked in with the cashier who gave us sticker name tags. We took the time to shop (I got a nice Alpaca barn coat with a wool lining that seems like it will be very warm this winter) and to see the newborn Alpaca's (whose name they determine by an online vote to include the community). We were gathered up by Alexis who introduced us to Khan dor (the Khan being derived from his famous Kahn father) and Hotshot. The walk would normally have been pretty straight forward, but it hadn't rained much this spring/summer and as such the grass that the alpaca's love hadn't grown much. Well the night before we got there, it rained and the grass was starting to come up...so the alpaca's weren't feeling the walk and wanted to munch on the grass. Some petting and prodding got them to move together to a more grassy part of the walking area. Alexis was highly knowledgeable and explained a lot of alpaca daily care, monthly shots and generally feeding requirements for having so many and what they could be expected to sell for. She explained what you looked for in a coat (more of a sponge quality/appearance) and when they would be studded. When additional families joined us it increased the joy of the experience. I love this location and highly recommend making it a regular destination to visit, especially if you have children. Spend the extra money to walk them once in a while as well, you won't regret it.