Block Island Beaches, The Best in New England!

Surf, Crescent and Baby Beach:

The main coastline starts from where the ferry docks in Old Harbor and goes all the way to the North Point of Block Island, RI. There's a tiny patch of sand inside the jetty where a handful of boaters anchor. You may access this place from Water Street which is the main drag in town. Dingys are parked here and you won't find many people hanging out.

Walk over the jetty north and past the Surf Hotel and you are on Crescent which actually extends all the way to Clayhead. Walk a few yards north on Crescent and you'll come upon an area now known as "Baby Beach" popular with mothers and toddlers. It is a short walk from the road and there are small tide-pools that serve as safe swimming holes for babies and small children. Since island mothers congregate here, it is also a sure bet for the busy to enjoy some social time.

Fred Benson Town Beach:

Continuing North you'll run into family vacation central. There's convenient free parking in the parking lot or on the street. This is the only shoreline with lifeguards and a pavilion with bathroom facilities and a concession stand. The food concession is run by Rebecca's Take Out. There are chairs and umbrella rentals, kayak rentals, and more. Sometimes there are early morning exercise classes, and early evening art shows and concerts. You can also rent the facilities for your family events.

Scotch Beach:

Traveling north from Town Beach is Scotch. Accessible from paths leading from the road or from a small parking area on Scotch Beach Rd., this stretch is popular with the summer workers. You'll see a volley ball net set up here, join in on the daily volley ball games and tournaments. There's good body surfing here, the sand is usually free of rocks.

Mansion Beach:

Next northern stretch of sand is Mansion, marked by the stone foundation of what used to be a the lavish Searles Mansion and dance hall. You can get here easily by walking accessing the road from Corn Neck. There is a parking lot, though the walk from the lot to the sand is a bit long. Popular with families, especially those staying at homes with private walking paths leading to the water. Good for swimming and body surfing.

Clayhead and Pots & Kettles:

From Mansion heading north you run into Clayhead and Pots & Kettles. Clayhead are the cliffs that you first see when riding the ferry in from Point Judith or New London. This area is rocky and full of iron rich clay deposits, great for shell and rock hunting. and if you stay on it you'll make your way all the way to the Northern Point of the island.

This is another site that holds tradition for many families including the Families Memorialized on the Rock. The northernmost point of Block Island lies the North Lighthouse and the best sunsets on the Block. Settler's Rock is here at Cow's Cove, right where the settlers landed and swam to shore bringing with them the island's first cows who where pushed off the boats and forced ashore. Attached to the rock is a plaque that holds the names of the original settlers of Block Island. You might recognize the names as some of these families are still here. Careful, it's rocky here, not good for swimming on the ocean side as the rip current is fierce. On the other side, however, is Sachem Pond, fresh water and good for swimming. Many a late night swim under the moonlight continues to take place here.

Ballard's:

Worth a mention is Ballard's, on the southern side of the Block Island Ferry Dock and jetty. Set right in front of Ballard's Restaurant and Inn, popular with boaters and with the young crowd. There are cocktail waitresses on the sand, and daily live music outside. There's also a busy volleyball court here with daily games and tournaments. There are lifeguards here, it's busy and sometimes noisy. A must for the party goer!

For a whole different experience you can try one of the more secluded, off the beaten path areas. Harder to get to, maybe not the best for small children, but otherwise a must see.

Mohegan Bluffs:

Accessed by parking at the Mohegan Bluffs entrance and walking down the stairs. There are 141 steps to this rocky area, the view from above is something not to miss. At the foot of these steep wooden stairs are big rocks leading to the shore. At the bluffs you will also find lots of green clay. Block Islanders like to use this clay as a skin therapy.

Try it yourself: Smear the clay on your body, let it dry in the sun, then jump in the water and wash it off. It's as good if not better than any spa body treatment you could have. And it's free!

Be careful on the south side of the island. People do swim here though the surf can be rough, the undertow strong, rip currents can sweep you away and it's very rocky, no lifeguards. If you look up at the steep cliffs along the sand you will see where the island is eroding. This can be very dangerous as there is no warning as to when a chunk of land will fall from above. The same is true at the top of the bluffs. Do not walk to close to the edge. For this reason the main bluffs overlook is now closed to sightseers.

Vail Beach:

Continuing south from the Bluffs you'll run into a place called Vail. You can get here by parking at the first left on Snake Hole Road, where the painted rock is. There's only room for two or three cars here and the path can be a difficult walk. This is a popular surfing spot when the surf is up. You won't find many people here. It's very rocky, no sand and the surf is usually too rough for swimming.

Black Rock:

Another popular surfing spot, not easy to get to for the average sun bather. Drive all the way down Snake Hole Road, there's parking and then a steep walk down a treacherous path to the beach. Nude sun bathing is popular here. Not good for swimming.

If you continue south from Black Rock you will soon be turning a corner to the southwest side of the island. Most of the rocky beaches along the southwest side are only accessible by private paths. You will rarely see sunbathers and swimmers here. These areas are really only frequented by surfers and fishermen.

Cooneymus, Dorry's & Grace's Coves:

On the west side of the island are a few coves. Cooneymus, Dorry's & Grace's Coves are rocky, secluded coves which you can get to by driving down the roads marked with their names and parking at the end. Good for a night time fire. (make sure you get a permit first). Popular with the teenagers and young crowd at night, you'll find a few makeshift forts, nothing as elaborate as "The Fort" at the Bluffs. Good for surfing during hurricane swell or daytime hunting for flotsam and jetsam. Odds and ends seem to float into shore that have fallen from boats. Be careful if you swim here, it's rocky and unpredictable.

Charlestown Beach:

Take Coast Guard Road toward the Coast Guard Station on the west side of the island and you will come to Charlestown Beach on your left. You can swim here, this is also a good site for a clam bake! Lots of seaweed and driftwood for a fire. Further up on the right is Cormorant Cove, a popular site for clamming in the off season and also for seal watching. Follow the road to the end and you'll be at the Coast Guard House. There's a path leading to what is called 'the cut'. This is at the channel from the ocean into the Great Salt Pond. You can watch the boats go in and out or cast out a fishing line, this is a good spot for landing a fish.

• Get there early and pick out your spot!
• Sunscreen: for best results, apply before you get there
• Plastic bags for picking up after yourselves
• Keep a close eye on the kids, even in shallow water
• If you like to dig holes in the sand, dig away from the water line, keep an eye on children and fill in the hole when you are done
• Remember; you don't own the sand and water, play nice and share,
• Please stay off the Dunes
• Colder water promotes swimmer's ear, especially in kids. With no pharmacy on island, bring a supply of ear drops with you

• Sunscreen
• Lip Sunscreen
• Beach Chairs
• Towels
• Beach Blanket
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Umbrella
• Book/Magazines
• Cooler/Water/Snacks
• Camera
• Beach Toys
• Ziplocks or Dry Bag
• Dry Clothes
• Ear Drops/Plugs

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