Surf Travel Guide: Block Island, Rhode Island

Montauk gets the name recognition and the summer traffic. Twelve miles off the Rhode Island coast, Block Island gets a genuine point and reef setup, a ferry ride that filters out a lot of the crowd, and a protective local lineup that will tell you, politely or not, that you are a guest here.

Why Block Island?

Block Island is reached only by boat, which already sets it apart from the drive up beaches that make up most of the Rhode Island and Connecticut coast. The south side of the island mixes beach, rock reef, cove, and point breaks around an exposed point, with the dramatic Mohegan Bluffs rising above the water nearby. It is a real New England surf destination that still manages to stay out of most trip reports.

→ The classic setup pairs a southeast groundswell with a north northwest wind, which blows offshore here and keeps the faces clean.

↳ Autumn, and November in particular, is when this combination shows up most often, as hurricane season swell lingers into a season with cleaner wind patterns.

Getting There and Getting Around

Ferries reach Block Island from Point Judith, Rhode Island year round, with seasonal services also running from Newport, New London in Connecticut, Montauk in New York, and Fall River in Massachusetts.
→ If you want a car on the island, book your vehicle spot on the ferry well in advance, since space is limited and fills early in the warmer months.
↳ Once you are there, biking is a genuine way to get around for day to day trips, with trails like Clayhead Trail and the Greenway Trails connecting the island's quieter corners.

Away from the break itself, the island rewards a bit of exploring. The Mohegan Bluffs, clay cliffs rising about 150 feet above the water on the island's south shore, sit near the surf area, with a steep staircase down to the beach below that has closed for repairs at times in recent years, so check locally before counting on it. The Block Island Southeast Light stands nearby on the same stretch of coast. Walking the Clayhead Trail or the Greenway Trails network is a good way to fill the hours between tide checks, and most of this is doable on foot or by bike without needing a car at all.

When to Surf

Autumn is the island's best known season, with November standing out as the most consistent month for clean waves. The flip side is a difficulty rating that reviewers put at the higher end of the scale, reflecting a spot that rewards local knowledge of exactly where to be on a given swell and tide.

Safety notes: Rips and undertow are present, along with rocks around the reef and point sections, so this is not a place to learn the basics. Local surfers are also known to be protective of their breaks here, so keep a respectful distance in the lineup, especially on a good day when crowds build quickly.

Surf Breaks

South Shore Point: An exposed point break near the island's southern bluffs, with nearby sections mixing in beach, reef, and cove characteristics depending on the swell.
Wave: A point and reef setup capable of running epic on the right combination of swell and wind, according to local reviews.
Level: Intermediate to advanced, with real localism to navigate on crowded days.

Where to Stay

→ Most visitors base themselves in or near New Harbor and Old Harbor, the island's two small town centers.

Budget

In town guesthouses and shared rooms
Smaller, independent stays in New Harbor and Old Harbor are the practical budget option, since Block Island has little in the way of chain hotels.

Mid-Range

The National Hotel Tap and Grille
A historic 45 room hotel on Water Street serving breakfast and dinner, with a lobster frittata and a Block Island mudslide among its signature offerings.

Luxury

The Inn at Spring House or The 1661 Inn
Two boutique properties near Spring Street with water views and antique furnishings, the pick for a nicer stay without leaving the island's historic core.

Getting around day to day is straightforward once you are settled in. A rental car covers the whole island quickly if you brought one over on the ferry, while a bike is plenty for reaching New Harbor, Old Harbor, and the beaches in between, and walking trails like the Clayhead Trail fill in the rest. Most restaurants and shops cluster around the two harbors, so you are rarely far from a meal or a coffee after a morning session.

Food and Drink

Sunset Dinner: Dead Eye Dick's, New Harbor
→ Steaks and seafood with sunset views over the water, known for its swordfish and lobster dishes.
Year Round Option: Bethany's Airport Diner
→ A breakfast and lunch spot on Center Road that stays open through the off season, useful if you are visiting outside summer.

Photographing Block Island

A point break lit up below the Mohegan Bluffs, with a ferry in the background instead of a parking lot, is a different look than most East Coast surf photography. If you shoot a session out here, consider uploading it to Surf Snaps so the surfer can find their wave later by sport, place, and date. If you were the one riding it, browse Surf Snaps to see if your Block Island session was caught on camera.

FAQ: Surfing Block Island, Rhode Island

How do you get to Block Island?

By ferry from Point Judith year round, with seasonal routes also available from Newport, New London, Montauk, and Fall River.

What is the best time of year to surf Block Island?

Autumn, and November especially, when a southeast groundswell lines up with an offshore north northwest wind.

Is Block Island good for beginners?

Not really. The point and reef setup, along with rips and a protective local crowd, make this better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.

Do I need to bring a car to Block Island?

Not necessarily. Many visitors get around by bike using the island's network of trails, though a car gives you more freedom if you are staying a while.

Where can I find photos of my Block Island session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place, and date on the explore page to see if a photographer caught your session at the point.