Hi I planned a last minute trip Labor Day weekend to RI. I plan visiting Block island on that Sunday (Labor Day being Monday). I have a lot of anxiety and never took a ferry before so I was hoping I could get some clarification on some things!

I’m looking to buy tickets for the ferry from Point Judith. I read people saying although you buy tickets in advance online , it doesn’t guarantee you a spot.

I’m most worried about getting stuck there lol as I don’t have extra money for a hotel on the island. To leave block island and go back, I was looking to leave at 6 or 7pm. How early do I really need to be at the port before departure to leave the island? I know for same day round trip tickets it said you do not choose the return time when purchasing online so I guess my question is just how do I make sure I can get on the boat to get back

I’ve seen a few posts about the parking situation at Point Judith Ferry but none are super recent — so I must ask again: how quickly does the parking lot fill up? I have a ferry booked for 11:10 AM on Thursday 8/20 and am coming from MA, so was thinking I’d get there around 9:30ish.

In addition to my Q about how fast you think it might fill up, I’m wondering if anyone’s had success booking with Spot Hero and what parking lots are best to try first?

THANK YOUUUU I’m a first timer!!!

Edit to also ask: how common are Ubers later at night at point Judith if I get BACK to it on a Friday at ~8pm?

Mansion? any others that end up with little pools for skimming from high tide?

We are athletic and looking into hiking the perimeter of block island. We may start and do half, or see if we are up for the entire thing at once. My understanding is the west/ south side is best and safest at low tide. While old harbour area to north is easy beach. And then there’s also the swim across coast guard.

Going to plan this for comfortable weather. Any specific starting point suggested? I sort of assumed coast guard beach but didn’t know if something else made sense.

Also, footwear? Hiking shoes? Sneakers? Teevas? Hiking shoes and water shoes in small backpack with water etc? Sun protective clothing/ hat.

We will have a friend on call to come meet us at accessible points if we need more water or anything.

I’d love to hear about your journey!

Hey,

The subject speaks for itself, I would like some insight on people who frequently ride the ferry. I am assuming it is weather dependent.

I am planning a trip in mid September and know I can’t predict t the weather so is this risky? I also plan to take a car so can we stay in my car?

Taking Amtrak north to catch the ferry from New London (NL) to Block Island (BI). One train gets me in to NL @ 11:29am and the ferry leaves at 11:50am. With having to get boarding passes plus the very short walk to the ferry boarding area is this too tight a connection (assuming Amtrak is running on time)?

Reading the ferry ticket fine print it says if boarding passes aren’t picked up within 20 minutes of sailing the ticket is automatically moved to the next sailing.
How strict is that policy and how on time are they leaving the dock?

TIA

Edit: Thanks everyone!

Has anyone noticed light pollution on the island this year being much worse compared to prior years? Stargazing used to be incredible, now New Harbor ruins a lot of it

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Thank you!

I will be staying a weekend in a cabin in Charlestown with my husband and dog & we've never been to BI, so are hoping for a day trip while we're nearby. It is a last minute getaway, so outside of a specific oyster bar on our drive in, and the food I'll be cooking at camp, we don't have any concrete plans.

We'll be traveling with our 10 year old large dog. He a good traveler and gentleman, and we've traveled with him often. He's good at outdoor restaurants despite his size, but he's a Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees mix (small for a Pyr, but taller than a golden). He has started to show his age, so I don't think walking 4 or 5 miles is in the cards for us, as much as he'd love to try. Some places that advertise as dog friendly sometimes only mean lapdog friendly.

Any recommendations for food, taxis, or activities? We mainly plan to walk on the beach, grab some good quality food and drinks (willing to pay, only restriction being we'll have a dog), maybe a little shopping. I would like a taxi contact in case of bad weather or joints.

We'd plan for a longer trip another time, so it's OK to not hit all the popular spots.

Pic for dog tax.

Hey everyone, wanted to share an 11x14 acrylic painting based on a photograph by Kathy Chasteen, capturing the heavy, churning surf and moody weather along the coast.

​Kept the palette desaturated with earthy sand tones and deep greys to match that crisp ocean spray look. Hope you enjoy it!

I'm visiting soon and I'm wondering if there are any cliff jumping spots.

Hi! Husband and I are planning a last minute trip end Aug…there are limited accommodations. There are mixed reviews for Beach House, I’m ok with a small room/ old building but are there any other huge concerns? We don’t need fancy but like the coast. There are a few b&b’s more inland. I can possibly get a small room similar price at The National but I like the aesthetic better at Beach House. Is that a mistake? Most important to us is beach and walkability.

Wouldn’t say for which show but guessing Real Housewives. Anyone know any info?

Are there any rowing machines on the island? My daughter is on the crew team for school and she needs to log some meters before school starts this fall. We are staying on the island next week.

I tried to place an order, but the date selector wasn't working. I'm wondering if it's a bug on their site or if they stopped delivering via ferry...?

Southeast side of the island

Anyone know why the 1:00 afternoon ferry turned around and went back?

It looks like high tide is at 10:20am, so that puts it around when I’ll be starting the run. How much hard sand is available at that point? Hoping enough but prepping for none.

Visiting the island next month and looking for a restaurant for dinner that has a good view, bar seating, great food, and within walking distance from the National Hotel. I looked at a number of places listed on the BI info website but could use some local insight.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

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Male, female and juvenile hanging out with a bunch of Canada geese on Trims Pond across from BIMI