Block Island

State: Rhode Island. Type: island town in Washington County, about 9 miles south of the Rhode Island mainland and 14 miles east of Montauk Point, Long Island. Land area: 9.73 square miles. 2020 census population: 1,410, the least-populous municipality in the state. Site of the Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm built in the United States.

Block Island is a small, low-key island in Narragansett Bay's outer waters, reached only by ferry or small plane, that has long served as a quieter alternative to Rhode Island's mainland beach towns. Named for Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who charted it in 1614, the island was known earlier to the Niantic people as Manisses. The town was established in 1664 and incorporated in 1672, and it remains, by 2020 census figures, the least-populous municipality in Rhode Island at 1,410 year-round residents, a number that swells considerably with summer visitors. Much of the island's appeal lies in its undeveloped, weathered landscape: clay cliffs, two historic lighthouses, and a network of preserved land protected from the denser development seen elsewhere on the Rhode Island coast. Bicycles are the preferred way to get around once on the island, and the offshore Block Island Wind Farm, the first commercial offshore wind installation in the United States, sits visible from parts of the shoreline.

Block Island sits in Washington County, Rhode Island, roughly 9 miles south of the mainland (Point Judith/Narragansett) and about 14 miles east of Montauk Point on Long Island, New York, covering 9.73 square miles of land.

Block Island has an oceanic climate strongly moderated by surrounding waters, generally milder and breezier than the Rhode Island mainland, with roughly 2,300 hours of sunshine annually.

Summer (June through early September) is peak season, with the fullest range of ferry service, open businesses and warm-enough water for swimming; late spring and early fall offer a quieter island with milder crowds, though some seasonal businesses and ferry routes scale back outside the summer months.

The island was known to the Niantic people as Manisses, meaning "Manitou's Little Island," before Dutch explorer Adriaen Block charted it in 1614 and gave it his name. The town of New Shoreham (Block Island) was established in 1664 and formally incorporated in 1672. It has remained Rhode Island's least-populous municipality into the present, historically sustained by fishing and, later, by tourism drawn to its beaches, bluffs and lighthouses.

Climb or view the 141-step staircase down the clay cliffs at Mohegan Bluffs; visit the Block Island Southeast Light (built 1875, relocated in 1993) and the Block Island North Light at Sandy Point; rent a bicycle, the preferred way to get around the island, or a moped; and take in views of the Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm built in the United States, visible from parts of the coast.

Mohegan Bluffs, Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island North Light at Sandy Point, and Old Harbor, the island's main ferry port and commercial center, are the key sites; the Block Island Wind Farm's turbines are visible offshore.

Year-round ferry service connects Point Judith in Narragansett to Old Harbor on Block Island, about 1 hour on the traditional ferry or roughly 35 minutes on the high-speed ferry; summer-season ferries also run from Newport, New London, and Montauk/Orient, per the Block Island Ferry operator's schedule. New England Airlines also offers a roughly 12-minute flight from Westerly, Rhode Island to Block Island State Airport. Ferries can carry vehicles, though many visitors leave cars on the mainland and get around the island by bicycle.

Ferry schedules vary by season and route; per the Block Island Ferry operator, Point Judith departures run from early morning into the evening in summer with multiple daily sailings, while the Newport high-speed route runs a more limited schedule (two daily round trips as of a July 2026 sample schedule). Confirm current sailing times on the ferry operator's site before traveling, since schedules shift by season.

There is no general admission fee to visit Block Island itself; costs are primarily ferry fares (specific current fares are listed under the operator's "Schedules and Fares" section rather than a flat published rate) plus any charges for individual activities like bike/moped rentals or charter fishing trips.

A day trip via ferry is possible and common, especially in summer with frequent sailings, but many visitors stay overnight or for a weekend to fully explore the bluffs, lighthouses and beaches without rushing to catch a return ferry.

Lodging on Block Island includes historic inns and guesthouses concentrated near Old Harbor, such as smaller boutique inns, alongside seasonal cottage and vacation-rental options; availability is limited and demand high in peak summer, so advance booking is recommended.

Dining on the island is concentrated around Old Harbor and includes seafood-focused restaurants and casual eateries geared toward the ferry-arrival crowd; many businesses operate on a seasonal schedule tied to the summer tourist season.

Newport and Point Judith/Narragansett on the mainland serve as the main ferry gateways and are natural add-ons for a longer Rhode Island coastal trip; Montauk, New York, is also reachable by seasonal ferry for visitors island-hopping further afield.

Point Judith in Narragansett is the primary year-round ferry gateway to Block Island; Westerly State Airport connects via a short New England Airlines flight to Block Island State Airport for those preferring to fly.

Bicycles and mopeds are the main way to get around, and mopeds in particular carry noted safety concerns on the island's narrow roads, so cautious, defensive riding is advised. Stick to marked paths and railings at Mohegan Bluffs given the steep clay cliffs. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a light jacket for breezy ferry crossings and evenings, comfortable shoes or sandals for biking and walking, and cash or a card for on-island purchases, since some smaller businesses may have limited payment options.

Book ferry tickets, especially for a car, well in advance in summer, since sailings fill up; many visitors instead leave the car on the mainland and rent a bike on arrival. Check the specific ferry route and port (Point Judith year-round versus seasonal Newport, New London or Montauk sailings) that best fits your starting point before booking.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general visitor questions, the Block Island Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (401) 466-2474 or info@blockislandchamber.com, per its official site.

Block Island Chamber of Commerce - https://www.blockislandchamber.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.