Block Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead for Block Island. This spot is a rare-breakin' point, and the next couple of weeks are mostly about waitin' and hopin'. We’ve got a long dry spell right out of the gate, so don’t bother waxin’ up just yet.

For the next week or so, it’s pretty much a write-off. From Saturday the 29th of August right through to the 6th of September, we’re lookin’ at a big fat zero on the surf front. The swell is tiny, period is short, and energy is pathetic – mostly double-digit numbers like 61 or even down to 24. You’ll see a lot of “poor surf conditions” in the notes, and that’s the truth. Winds are all over the place, but with nothing to push around, it doesn’t matter. The weather will be a mix of clear skies and some light rain, but it’s all just background noise.

Now, there is a flicker of hope. Around Monday the 7th of September, things start to change. We get a pulse of southerly swell pushin’ in. Monday morning brings a clean 6ft swell from the south, with a period of 6 seconds, and light offshore winds out of the northwest. Energy jumps to 229 – that’s moderate, and it feels alive. By Monday afternoon, it cleans up even more: 7ft from the south, 7 seconds, and light cross-offshore winds from the west. Energy hits 424, which is solid. That’s the best on offer for the whole 16 days. Block Island (Rhode Island) is a point break, and with a south swell, it’s in its sweet spot. The water temp is about average for this time of year – no weird anomalies to report.

Tuesday the 8th still has some meat on it. Morning brings 5ft from the south, 8 seconds, with clean cross-offshore winds from the northeast, and energy at 345. But the afternoon gets tricky – onshore winds and marginal tide conditions, so the window is tight. For the rest of the week into the second week, it fades back into mediocrity: smaller swells, choppy winds, and a lot of “poor” labels. There’s a brief spike on the 11th with 6ft and 5ft from the southwest, but the winds are messy and onshore, so it’s not worth getting excited about.

To sum it up: the standout is Monday the 7th of September. If you can get out there in the morning or early afternoon, you’ll find clean 5ft to 7ft south swell with light winds. It’s an intermediate-level spot, and it’s rarely-breaking, so when it does show, it’s a special thing. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect some company. The rest of the month is mostly a waiting game.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the sky, and I’ll catch you next time.

Rusty

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