We had the great pleasure of sailing to Block Island this fall. I can honestly say that this has been my favorite stop in New England thus far. I have compiled a cruisers guide to Block Island to put all the must-know info in one spot.

Cruisers Guide to Block Island

Where to Anchor:

There are two harbors on Block Island, New Harbor and Old Harbor.

New Harbor is on the west side of the island and it is home to three large marinas, 90 town moorings, and a 75-acre anchorage area. Moorings can be rented on a first come first serve basis for $40 per night. There is a dinghy dock, restroom, and dumpster located by the Block Island Maritime Institute. During our stay, we experienced good holding. We weathered multiple storms with gust up to 50 knots and did not drag, although we did witness two other catamarans drag.

Block Islands New Harbor

(We arrived October 14th, 2018 the restrooms were already closed for the season and we watched the dinghy dock get taken out around the 20th of October).

Old Harbor is on the East Side of the Island right at the center of town. There is limited space for anchoring but there is also a small marina operated by the town. Dockage is first come first serve and cost $2.50 per foot according to Block Island Info.

Block Islands Old Harbor

What to Do:

Hike

There are almost 25 miles of trails to explore on Block Island. Pick up a Greenway trail map ($2) at the Welcome Center and start wandering! While hiking we were lucky enough to see deer, seals, numerous monarch butterflies, and countless bird species.  If you want to make your hike even more interesting keep an eye out for the elusive glass floats. Eben Horton, a glass blower, sailor, and longtime lover of Block Island started the Glass Float Project seven years ago as a way to get more people outside in nature. 550 glass floats are hidden along the greenway trails and on the beaches. The game is simple if you find one you get to keep it. Thousands of people hike the trails and walk the beaches every year in hopes of finding one. We must have hiked close to 20 miles with no luck in finding a float but we did exactly what the project intended, we got out and explored the beautiful island.

Butterfly City

Clam

If you are into catching your own food then clamming is for you! Enjoy the beautiful water while digging your toes in the sand to feel for clam shells. This is a great activity for all ages and extremely rewarding. A shellfish license is required for every clammer. These can be obtained at the Harbor Masters Office on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. When you head to the Harbor Master office bring your photo I.D. and ask which areas of the Great Salt Pond are open for harvest.  After you have succeeded in catching your dinner click here for delicious recipe ideas.

Clams for dinner!

Horseback Ride

If you are looking for even more outdoor fun check out Rustic Rides Horse Farm. They offer nature trail and beach rides. If you are second guessing this experience because you have already walked the beaches and trails I highly urge you to go for a ride. The experience is completely different riding the trails than walking them!

This is Red 🙂

Surf

If you are on a constant wave hunt like we are, Block Island is definitely a place to visit. The Island sits about thirteen miles off Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Swell and wind direction varies day by day but if there is swell in the water you can generally find a break somewhere on the island. All the beaches are public but finding a public walkway close to a break can be a bit more difficult.

Amazing scenery during our surf session

How to Get Around:

Walking

The island is clean, safe, and filled with sidewalks which make walking around town a great activity. Keep an eye out for the glass floats mentioned above. They could be anywhere!

Bike, Moped, and Car Rentals

The island is rather large so sometimes walking is not practical. Biking is a great way to see the island while still getting some exercise. If your body is begging for a break from all the hiking pick up a moped for the day and see the island without all the effort. Cars are also available but I found them not to be worth the price. However, if you have a big group of people it might be worth it for you. Click here for more bike, moped, and car rental info

Taxi

There are multiple different taxi services on the island. You can generally find a few by the ferry dock or you can call one of the many companies to catch a ride wherever you are.

Best Time to Go:

Fall is a great time to explore!

Block Island is a summer destination for many. It is filled with people from all over, the weather is warm, and the shops and restaurants are all open for business. We prefer less touristy destinations so we find September and October prime time to explore. Up until Columbus day, most restaurants and shops are open but foot traffic on the island is way lower. The air is a bit cooler (bring warm clothes!) and it is easier to get a spot at the dinghy dock:)

If it was not already I hope Block Island is now on your list of places to visit. Its beautiful scenery, miles of nature trails, and deep blue water are not worth missing! Thanks for reading my cruising guide to Block Island.

Sierra 🙂