Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's take a hard look at what's coming up for Block Island. I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a solid two-and-a-half-week run where the surf quality is just not cooperating. The winds and the swell never line up right for clean, rideable waves. That first Saturday morning on July 4th is small, just 2ft from the SW, but with a stiff 12 mph cross-shore wind, it's a mess. That afternoon gets worse with 19 mph gusts and thunderstorms threatening. That sets the tone.

We go from the 4th right through to the morning of July 7th with nothing but poor surf. The wind is either cross or cross-onshore, and the swell is weak, never getting above 4ft but with short periods and combined energy values stuck below 70, meaning there's just no power.

Now, on Tuesday afternoon, July 7th, we start to see a pulse of energy. The swell jumps to 5ft from the ESE, and the combined energy climbs to 231. That's a moderate amount of grunt. The wind goes light cross-shore at 6 mph, so the surface gets small crossing wind ripples. The score is still just a 1, meaning it’s marginal at best due to questionable tides. It’s the best we've seen, but it’s not good.

The 8th and 9th continue the frustrating pattern. Decent energy on the 8th (164 combined energy) with clean conditions due to a light cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 3ft and underpowered. On the 9th, the wind swings back to a messy cross-onshore. There’s a small window on Saturday morning, July 11th, with a light cross-shore breeze and 4ft S swell with a period of 8 seconds, giving us 193 combined energy. It feels like it could have been something, but the wind was just off.

We get another clean spell on Monday, July 13th, with a light cross-offshore wind and 2ft swell, but the combined energy is only 56 – completely flat. The morning of July 14th is the same story: clean but tiny.

Then the energy returns in a big way. The morning of July 15th sees 6ft from the SW, pushing 345 combined energy. That is significant, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore at 12 mph, which will put a chop on it. It’s still classed as poor surf conditions. The 18th morning looks interesting with a completely glassy 4ft SW swell, but the energy is still weak at 95, it's small, and it's a rare, clean moment that might get a few fun waves if you're desperate.

That glassy morning on July 18th is your single standout. It’s not big, but with zero wind, it will be clean and surfable for an intermediate. The bigger 6ft swell on the 15th and 19th brings too much wind and chop, making it a messy, difficult paddle. For the entire two-week run, there is no period of consistently good surf. Block Island rarely breaks as it is, and this forecast lives up to that reputation. For any kite surfers out there, that Tuesday, July 7th with 6ft and a strong cross-shore energy might look interesting, but for paddle surfing, it's a no-go.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the forecasts, and fingers crossed for something better down the line.

Rusty.

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