Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m looking at the coming weeks for Block Island. Honestly, the outlook is a long, flat stretch of nothing very special. We’ve got a big window of mostly poor surf conditions, with gnarly winds and choppy seas, so don’t hold your breath for anything epic. There’s a brief window of hope, but you’ll have to be patient.

The first real chance comes on Tuesday, August 4th, in the morning. The wave energy is moderate (280) with a 5-foot swell from the south, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so these won’t be groundswells with much punch. What makes it stand out is the glassy, near-flat wind – a light westerly at 3 mph. That’s about as clean as it gets here. The water temperature is about what you’d expect for this time of year, so no surprises there. Block Island is a point break that’s exposed to the south, and this is the one time everything lines up for a decent, clean session. It’s a break that rarely breaks, so on a morning like this, it’s a rare treat. Crowds are often an issue here, so get there early if you want a piece.

The rest of the first week and into the second is a mess. Monday afternoon on August 3rd is blown out by strong cross-onshore winds, with a 10-foot swell and a massive 1429 energy reading, but it’s all wind-chop and messy. From Wednesday, August 5th, through to the end of the second week, every day is a mix of onshore or cross-onshore winds, choppy seas, and small, weak swells. The energy drops to the low 100s and even below 100, with periods as short as 5 to 7 seconds. It’s not worth paddling out for.

The only thing that might be of interest is on Saturday, August 15th, in the afternoon. You get a 5-foot swell from the SSW with a 7-second period, and for the first time in a while, a fresh offshore wind from the north-northwest. The energy is moderate (215), and the wind is clean. It’s a marginal forecast, but it’s the best the second week has to offer. If you’re desperate, it might be worth a look, but don’t expect much.

Overall, the standout is that Tuesday morning, August 4th. Everything else is a write-off until the offshore wind on the 15th. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, but for now, I’d be planning a breakfast session on the 4th.

Rusty

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