Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next 16 days for the Block Island area.

First thing you need to know: the water is sitting at 69°F right now, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 3°F off the average, so you’ll feel that chill if you’re not suited up properly.

The pattern is a long, frustrating wait. Honestly, the first week and a half is pretty much a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through to Sunday the 9th of August, the surf report is just poor. We’ve got small, weak swell—mostly around 2ft to 5ft—with short periods (6 to 9 seconds), and the wind is almost always cross-on or onshore, often fresh to strong. The combined wave energy barely gets into the moderate range, hovering between 60 and 455 (455 is moderate, but the wind chops it to bits). The swell is coming from the S or SSW, which is okay for Block Island, but the wind is just ruining it. Honestly, on Monday the 3rd of August, with a 7ft swell and 25 mph cross-on wind, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Not worth getting wet for.

Now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Tuesday the 4th of August is the first glimmer. In the morning, we get a glassy session with the wind swinging light easterly at 3 mph. The swell is 6ft from the SSW with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is 388 (moderate). It’s the best surf conditions we’ve seen so far, but still not a standout—just a taste of what’s to come.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Monday the 10th of August. The morning is glassy, dead calm, with a 7ft swell from the south at 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 780 (strong). That’s a serious pulse of energy. The afternoon cleans up with a light NE cross-off breeze at 9 mph, holding the 6ft swell at 9 seconds (energy 615, still strong). This is the best on offer, no question. Block Island is a point break, so it’s exposed to the S swell, and with that glassy or clean wind, the waves will be well-shaped and lined up. This is a day for the intermediate surfer—the 7ft is a bit much for beginners, but it’s not too heavy for the more experienced. The crowds? Block Island is “often” crowded, so expect company, but the quality will be worth sharing the water.

After that, the surf drops off again. From Tuesday the 11th onward, the swell fades to under 4ft, periods shrink, and the wind goes back to onshore or cross-on. The last day of the forecast, Saturday the 15th of August, has a 4ft swell from the SW but with a short 5-second period and onshore wind—not worth paddling out for.

So, to sum it up: a long, flat, windy first week, then a brief moment of glassy goodness on the 10th. That’s your window. Mark it in your calendar.

Rusty.

Read more