Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Block Island. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are a bit of a tough watch. The forecast is a real mixed bag of lumpy, wind-affected swell and long flat spells. This isn’t going to be a classic run of waves, but there are a couple of moments that could just about work if you’re desperate.

The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't come until Thursday the 22nd of July, but even then, it’s a mess. We’ve got a solid 10ft swell from the SSW pushing through the morning, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, making it lumpy and pretty poor. The energy is strong (1169), but the conditions just aren’t there for a good paddle. By the afternoon, the wind drops a touch, but it’s still cross-on and choppy, with the swell down to 8ft. Honestly, this is a day for the kite crew, not the surfer.

Things go quiet for a while after that. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and wind-affected slop from the 23rd of July right through to the end of the month. The swell is tiny, the energy is pathetic – often under 100 – and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore. It’s a real grind. Block Island is a point break that rarely breaks, so this is pretty normal for the area when the conditions aren't perfect. Just small, bumpy stuff that’s not worth suiting up for.

Now, there is one tiny glimmer. On the morning of Saturday the 1st of August, we get a bit of a window. The swell is a modest 4ft from the S, with an 8-second period. The energy is moderate (242). But the real story is the wind: it’s a complete glass-off. The wind is calm, and the forecast says "glassy" conditions. For a spot that’s often plagued by wind, this is a major positive. The comment says "expect good surf conditions," which is the best we’ve seen all outlook. If you are a beginner, a 4ft long-period swell like this (8 seconds isn't super long, but it's alright) can be fun, but anything over 5ft is getting big for you, so this is just below that. It’s a stand-out simply because it’s the only clean session in a sea of junk. Expect crowds, as it’s a popular spot that’s often packed.

The clean spell doesn't last. By Saturday afternoon, the wind swings back onshore, and the chop returns. The rest of the second week from the 2nd of August onwards is a total write-off. Swell drops to under 3ft, the energy is pitiful (well under 100), and the wind is back onshore. It’s a flat, blank run to finish the forecast.

So, the best bet is a very early session on the morning of the 1st of August if you can get a pass for the crowds. Everything else is a miss. Keep your hopes up for the long-range; for Block Island, this kind of dry spell happens.

Rusty.

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