Major city · United States
Block Island
Go for 2 nights in Jun–Sep: ferry from Point Judith, walk or rent a bike, no car needed. Day-trippers see only Old Harbor.
Block Island is a 12-mile (19 km) island off the Rhode Island coast with about 1,000 year-round residents and a summer population near 10,000. Almost everything sits within walking distance of Old Harbor, where the ferry lands. Two nights lets you cover the beaches, the bluffs and the north-end trails without rushing the ferry.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses close; wind and rain)
- Airports
- PVD · BOS · BID
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Block Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Block Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a US resort island; the real risks are the bluffs stairs, bikes and mopeds on narrow roads, and sun exposure on long beach days.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVD Rhode Island T.
- Getting aroundThe island is small: Old Harbor to New Harbor is a 20–30 min walk, and taxis meet the ferries.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-rangeUS$20–35
- Street or quick mealSandwich or bagelUS$8–15
- BeerDraught beerUS$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the islandUS$10–20
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$200 · High US$350
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green (Providence) (About 40 min by car to the Point Judith ferry terminal in Narragansett.) · BOS Boston Logan (About 1 h 45 min by car to Point Judith.) · BID Block Island State Airport (Seasonal small-plane service from Westerly and Hyannis.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Block Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is small: Old Harbor to New Harbor is a 20–30 min walk, and taxis meet the ferries. Bikes and mopeds rent near the dock; the car ferry from Point Judith is the only one that takes cars, and summer car space needs booking ahead. Many visitors never bring a car.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Narragansett and Point Judith
goDoor to door: About 1 h by car ferry, 30 min by fast ferry
Block Island Ferry from Old Harbor
The mainland side of the crossing; useful if you drive to the terminal.
Westerly and Watch Hill
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Seasonal ferry to Westerly, or fly to Westerly State Airport
Seasonal service only; confirm dates before planning around it.
New London, Connecticut
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Block Island Express passenger ferry, May–September
Terminal sits next to the train station for Amtrak and Shore Line East.
Montauk, New York
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
Seasonal passenger-only ferry
Summer only; confirm dates and times.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old Harbor
Where the ferry lands: walk to restaurants, shops and the beach; book months ahead for summer weekends.
New Harbor / Great Salt Pond
Marina side, quieter; a 20–30 min walk or short taxi from Old Harbor.
Corn Neck Road
Between the two harbors, closer to Crescent Beach and the north-end trails.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$180–300 excl. bed
- High
- US$300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × US$300 | US$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$200 | US$800 |
| Round-trip fast ferry from Point Judith2 × US$40 | US$80 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$40 | US$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$160 |
| Trip total≈ US$440 per person per day, bed included | US$1,760 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; ferry and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$3–5 |
| Lobster roll | US$25–35 |
| Sandwich or bagel | US$8–15 |
| Dinner main, mid-range | US$20–35 |
| Draught beer | US$7–10 |
| Bike or moped rental, one day | US$30–80 |
| Taxi across the island | US$10–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekends and holidays fill ferries and beds: book both ahead.
- The stairs down to Mohegan Bluffs are steep; the climb back up is the hard part.
- Mopeds and bikes share narrow roads with cars; ride single file and watch for sand.
- Most seasonal businesses shut from November to March; check what is open before a winter trip.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Block IslandBlock Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies on the island; consulates in Boston and New York. US travellers: 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Point Judith → Old Harbor, fast ferry: about US$20 one way, 30 min
- Point Judith → Old Harbor, car ferry: about US$15 one way, 1 h
- Taxi Old Harbor → New Harbor: US$10–20
Say or show
- Where is the ferry terminal? — Where is the ferry terminal?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a taxi? — Is there a taxi?
- How far is the beach? — How far is the beach?
- Thank you — Thank you
English is the only language you need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Block Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses close; wind and rain) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for Point Judith: last departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Old Harbor, Crescent Beach, Mohegan Bluffs, the north end.
- Place pages with verified hours (Southeast Light, North Light, Historical Society) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.