You can drive to picturesque Block Island but only with the aid of the Block Island Ferry, which sails between Port Judith on Rhode Island and Old Harbor on Block Island. The ferry is the only way to bring your car onto the island, as no bridges or tunnels connect Block Island with the mainland. The ferry runs multiple times daily and only takes around 1 hour to make the short journey across to the island.
Block Island lies off the southern coast of Connecticut and east of Long Island. It is separated from these two mainland areas by the Block Island Sound, a small coastal body of water. The island lies west of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, other popular east coast holiday islands. The island is much smaller than both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, measuring 7 miles in length and 3 miles in width.
Although Block Island is close to the major cities of New York and Boston, there’s no direct road link to the island. This means you’ll need to use at least one method of public transport to be able to get there. Despite its small size, there are several different ways to get to Block Island from the mainland.
Car – As highlighted previously, there’s no direct road connection with the mainland, so you’ll need to use the vehicle ferry from Point Judith if you want to bring your car.
Boat – The ferry service to Block Island departs out of 2 different ports on the mainland. The Block Island Ferry company operates all ferry services, and they run out of Port Judith on Rhode Island and the Newport Terminal in Perrotti Park. A high-speed passenger-only service operates from both ports and takes only 30 minutes to complete the crossing.
A traditional vehicle ferry service only operates out of Port Judith, which takes 1 hour. So, if you’re planning to bring your car, you can only do this via the traditional ferry service from Rhode Island. Note ferry services run year-round, however, the schedule changes regularly, so check before you leave.
Air – Block Island is home to a small state airport named Block Island Airport (BID). The airport services limited scheduled flights operated by New England Airways. Flights only go to one destination on the mainland, Westerley Airport in Connecticut. The flight time is just 12 minutes.
If you have brought your car to Block Island via the Block Island Ferry from Port Judith, you can drive around the island freely. However, be advised that this is a small and largely rural island, so roads are often small and winding. During the summer months, most visitors get around using bicycles or mopeds, making navigating the roads particularly slow and difficult. Unless you need to bring your vehicle, it’s probably best to leave it on the mainland and use alternative transport on the island.
Block Island’s big attraction is its beautiful beaches, which stretch around the island. There are over 17 miles of beaches, so you’ll never struggle to find a quiet spot on the beach. Popular beaches include Ballard’s Beach, Mansion Beach and Block Island State Beach. As well as the beaches, there are a few other notable sights and activities:
Lighthouses – There are two quaint lighthouses on the island – North Lighthouse and Southeast Lighthouse. Both are worth seeing for their beautiful 19th-century architecture.
Animal Parks – There are a couple of animal parks on the island that are good for kids. Both Abrams Animal Farm and 1661 Farm and Gardens receive plenty of positive reviews.
Hiking Trails – There are some good hikes on the island, none of which are too taxing. The hike at Rodman’s Hollow is popular, while the hike to Mohegan’s Bluff is probably the best-known. Just be warned that there are a lot of steps down (and back up) to the beach at the end.
Block Island is a hugely popular summer destination, but once the weather turns and winter arrives, it largely shuts down. While a ferry service continues throughout the year, most businesses, including hotels and restaurants, will close until the start of the new season. Therefore, the best time to visit is from May to October when everything is open, and there are plenty of options for accommodation and eating out. July and August are especially busy, so try to visit during the shoulder months of June and September. The weather is warm and dry during this time, and you’ll have more accommodation options, and at a lower price.
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