Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk Block Island (Block Island). Water’s about 69°, normal for this time of year. But I’ll tell you, the next 16 days look rough. Starting Thursday the 27th of August, we’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the southeast, only 8 seconds between waves, and a cross-onshore wind from the SSW at 12 mph. Choppy and no good. This junk carries through Friday and Saturday. Saturday morning cleans up with a cross-off wind from the NNE at 9 mph, but the swell is just 2ft, energy’s weak (80)—not worth it.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st, swell drops to 1ft, energy in the 40s. Just flat and messy. Tuesday the 1st of September is clean with a fresh cross-off breeze from the NNE and NE at 18–25 mph, but the swell is only 3ft with a 5-second period—short and weak.

Wednesday the 2nd of September brings a 2ft SE swell with an 11-second period and moderate energy (162). But there’s an onshore wind from the SSE at 9 mph in the morning, so it’s not clean.

Thursday the 3rd of September is the first real hope. A 5ft east swell at 6 seconds hits with a light cross-off wind from the WNW at 6 mph and clean conditions. Energy’s moderate at 184. The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Still, it’s the best so far.

Friday the 4th of September has a 4ft east swell at 8 seconds with a strong north wind at 22 mph. Clean but likely blown out. Saturday the 5th is 3ft from the ESE at 9 seconds, energy 111—just okay.

Then Monday the 7th of September morning is the standout. Glassy—wind from the east at just 3 mph—with a 5ft SW swell at 6 seconds. Energy is strong at 210. The comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the morning to go. The swell direction is southwest, close to the optimum SE, so it’ll wrap in okay. The period is short, so it’s a windswell, not groundswell, but with glassy conditions, you’ll get clean little waves. The afternoon gets cross-shore and drops in quality.

Tuesday the 8th of September stays around 5ft to 6ft from the SSW with cross-onshore wind at 12–16 mph. Choppy and poor. Wednesday the 9th fades to 3ft then 3ft with fresh cross-onshore wind—lumpy. Thursday the 10th is tiny again at 1ft. Friday the 11th of September sees a final spike to 6ft–7ft from the SSW at 6–7 seconds, with cross to cross-on wind at 12 mph. Strong energy (315–389) but poor conditions—wind will rip it up.

Best on offer? Monday the 7th of September morning—glassy, 5ft, clean, moderate energy. That’s your window. But overall, this is a tough stretch for Block Island. The break rarely breaks, and the wind usually screws it up when there is swell. Big gap of nothing late August to early September, then just a brief moment of surfable waves. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty

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