Photo: Waz8 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Block Island, the town of New Shoreham, sits about 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, and almost everyone who visits arrives by boat. The choice of ferry depends on the season, whether you are bringing a car and where you are starting from.
From Point Judith, year-round
Interstate Navigation runs the traditional ferry from the Port of Galilee in Narragansett to Old Harbor all year. It is the only Block Island ferry that carries vehicles, and the crossing takes about an hour. Car reservations are essential in summer and should be made well ahead; passengers on foot generally do not need reservations on the traditional boat. Winter schedules have fewer daily trips, and weather can cancel crossings.
High-speed from Point Judith and Newport
In season, Interstate Navigation also runs high-speed passenger ferries from Point Judith, taking about 30 minutes, and from Fort Adams in Newport, taking about an hour. These boats carry passengers and bicycles, not cars, and reservations are recommended.
From Connecticut and New York
- New London, Conn.: a seasonal high-speed ferry runs from New London to Block Island, a convenient option for travelers coming by Amtrak or from Connecticut.
- Montauk, N.Y.: Viking Fleet runs a seasonal passenger ferry from Montauk, at the eastern end of Long Island, to New Harbor.
Parking at Galilee
Several private lots near the Point Judith terminal charge daily and overnight fees for ferry passengers. Rates rise in summer, and lots fill on holiday weekends, so leave extra time. RIPTA buses serve Galilee in season.
Flying
Block Island State Airport has scheduled and charter flights, including service from Westerly State Airport, which takes about 12 minutes. Flights are subject to weather and are popular with year-round residents.
Before you go
- Check the operators’ current schedules; seasonal start and end dates change from year to year.
- Bringing a car is often unnecessary. The island is about 7 miles long, and bikes, mopeds, taxis and rental cars are available.
- In winter, many island businesses close, so plan meals and lodging ahead.
