The main beach used for Jaws was Joseph Sylvia State Beach on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, standing in for Amity Island.

Key filming beaches

  • Joseph Sylvia State Beach (State Beach) – Most of the crowded swimming and shark-attack scenes, including the attack on Alex Kintner, were filmed here between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.
  • Edgartown South Beach (often just “South Beach”) – Used for early sequences like the late-night party and the discovery of Chrissie Watkins’s remains.
  • Cow Beach – Portions of the opening attack on Chrissie’s nighttime swim were shot off this beach.

Extra trivia

  • These real Massachusetts locations collectively portray the fictional resort town of Amity Island in the 1975 film.
  • Some water POV shots of the shark were filmed off Santa Catalina Island in California for clearer underwater visuals.

TL;DR: When people ask “what beach was Jaws filmed on,” the most accurate short answer is Joseph Sylvia State Beach on Martha’s Vineyard , with additional key scenes at Edgartown South Beach.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.