Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about Block Island – it’s a tough watch for the next two weeks. The guidance tells us this spot is a rarely-breaking point break, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. The first 16 days are a real grind, with barely a session worth paddling out for.

The pattern is dominated by weak, short-period windswell, and the wind is almost always working against us. For the first week or so, the swell is tiny, usually under 3 ft, and the period is a dismal 4 to 7 seconds, which is just bumpy, gutless stuff. The energy is pathetic, usually under 200 (that’s weak combined energy), and the wind is cross or onshore, chopping it all up. There’s a long stretch from the 24th right through to the 31st of August where there’s simply nothing worth your time. It’s a proper blank run.

The only flicker of anything comes in the second week. On the morning of 31 August, we get a tiny 1 ft swell but with a very long 19-second period. That’s a groundswell, but it’s a whisper. The wind is offshore from the NW, so it’ll be clean, but the combined energy is still only 165 (weak). On a slow day, you might get a few knee-high lines, but it’s a real stretch to call it surf.

Then, on the 3rd of September, we finally see a pulse. The combined energy jumps to 1078 (moderate) on Thursday morning, with a 5 ft swell from the SE. That’s the biggest we get, but the wind is a cross-shore from the ENE, making it messy. The afternoon is better: the swell bumps to 6 ft, and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore from the WNW, with the energy hitting 1422 (moderate). The period is 15 seconds, so it’s proper groundswell. This is the only stand-out window. For a point break, that long period from the SE is a decent match, and the wind will clean it up. However, the 6 ft is pushing into expert territory for a spot that rarely breaks, and the crowds are often, so don’t expect solitude.

The 4th of September morning offers a solid backup: 4 ft from the SE with a 14-second period and a clean offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is 780 (moderate). It’s a good combo, but not as strong as the day before.

After that, it fades fast. By the 6th and 7th, we’re back to tiny, weak swells and gutless energy. The water temperature is 69°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing unusual.

So, if you’re a surfer, the best bet is the afternoon of the 3rd of September. That’s the standout. The conditions will be the cleanest we’ll see, and the swell has some size. For the rest of the 16 days? Honestly, it’s a better setup for a kite than a paddle. The consistent wind and small, weak swells will keep the surfers on the beach.

Rusty out.

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