If you’re looking for the best Block Island beaches, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Despite its relatively small size, Block Island is home to 17 miles of coastline, with everything from wide sandy beaches and calm swimming spots, to rocky shoreline and dramatic bluffs.
Having visited most of the beaches on the island over the years, I was excited to put together this guide to help you decide which ones are worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you’re looking for the best beach for swimming, a family-friendly stretch of sand, a scenic shoreline walk, or a quieter spot away from the crowds, I’ll help you find the right beach for your visit.
Let’s get started.
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Quick note about the island’s beaches: Crescent Beach is a 2.5 mile long stretch of sandy beach that encompasses a large part of the island’s eastern shore. Within Crescent Beach, there are several smaller beaches, which I know is a little confusing. But to clarify, if you tell someone you’re going to Crescent Beach, they may respond with “which part?” because there are sections with different names. A few of these beaches are included in my list, and I’ve put Crescent Beach in parentheses so that you know these beaches are a part of the longer Crescent Beach.
The Best Beaches On Block Island To Visit
1. Mansion Beach (Crescent Beach) – The Local’s Favorite
And honestly, my personal favorite, too. Mansion Beach sits on the northern end of Crescent, and was named after a large private residence that used to be there, but burned down in the 1960s.
Mansion Beach is a sandy stretch of coastline with turquoise water, bigger waves than the beaches closer to town, and even some bluffs that add to its natural beauty. There aren’t any facilities or lifeguards at the beach, but for that reason, it tends to not get as crowded as the popular beaches along the southern portion of Crescent.
To get to Mansion, you’ll have to drive down a long dirt road that’s loaded with potholes and bumps, so please tread carefully. Also keep in mind that mopeds are not allowed down this road.
2. Mohegan Bluffs Beach – Where To Go For Epic Views
One of the most iconic views on the entire island is of the Mohegan Bluffs, and the beach underneath the bluffs is simply stunning. While rocky, there’s no beating the scenery, which is why so many people choose to visit this one for a beach day.
To get here, you’ll drive to the parking lot for the Mohegan Bluffs, and then walk down about 140 steps on the wooden staircase. From there, you’ll have to scramble down some rocky sections, and there’s a rope on one of the pathways down to the shoreline to help you, if needed. It’s not easy to get there, but it’s not extremely difficult, either. I wouldn’t recommend it for folks with mobility challenges or young children. I also wouldn’t recommend bringing a lot with you – just a beach bag and a chair (even better if your beach chair can be worn as a backpack).
It’s also good to know that while there are some sandy areas here, most of the shoreline is pretty rocky. It’s also best to visit at low tide, as the water at high tide doesn’t leave a ton of room on the beach itself to set-up.
You won’t find any facilities or lifeguards at this beach, either, so keep that in mind.
3. Town Beach (Crescent) – Best For Little Kids
Also known as Frederick J. Benson Beach, this is one of the more popular beaches along the southern part of Crescent because it’s got bathrooms, lifeguards, and isn’t far from town. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the ferry terminal (or, just under a mile), and it’s also got a gentle surf, making it a nice one to visit with children.
In addition to the standard amenities like bathrooms, showers, lifeguards, and changing rooms, you’ll also find beach equipment rentals and food concessions here, making this such an easy one to visit, especially for day-trippers.
This is also a nice sandy beach, making it easy to walk along the shoreline to explore more of Crescent.
Parking for this beach has its own designated lot along Corn Neck Road, but it does fill up fast on summer days.
4. Charlestown Beach – A Hidden Gem & Great Sunsets
Located on the northwest side of Great Salt Pond, Charlestown Beach is one of the best sandy beaches on Block Island’s western coast. What makes it especially unique is that much of the island’s west side shoreline is rocky, making Charlestown one of the few places where you’ll find a broad stretch of sand paired with beautiful sunset views.
It sounds perfect, but there’s one downside: parking here is a challenge. When you arrive to the entrance of the beach, you’ll see No Parking signs everywhere. The only public parking is at the Coast Guard station, which is about a 10-13 minute walk up the road, and parking there only allows for about 5 cars or so. Then, you’ll have to walk back to the beach entrance, and back to your car when you’re ready to leave.
That said, you can also bike here, which is a much more convenient way to visit, and I definitely think it’s worth it.
Once you arrive at the Coast Guard Station (if you’re driving), there are small signs pointing you toward a beach, which will bring you to Coast Guard Beach – where Great Salt Pond and the Atlantic meet. It’s beautiful here, but not Charlestown Beach. However, I do think it’s worth a step of you’re venturing out this way.
Charlestown is also one of the best spots for a gorgeous beach sunset, as the sun will set right over the water.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at this beach, so plan accordingly.
5. Scotch Beach (Crescent Beach)
Just south of Mansion Beach is Scotch Beach – also part of Crescent. If you don’t want to make the extra drive to Mansion, I’d recommend Scotch as a wonderful alternative. You’ll enjoy the same beautiful turquoise waters with distant views of Mansion’s coastline and bluffs.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at this beach, so keep that in mind, but that usually keeps the vibe pretty relaxed and chill at this part Crescent.
Getting to Scotch Beach is a bit easier than Mansion, as it sits along Corn Neck Road. It has a small designated sandy lot, plus additional parking along the road.
6. Clay Head Beach – Best For A Combined Hike & Beach Day
The Clay Head trail is one of the most well-known things to do on the island, but the beach toward the start of the trail is honestly so beautiful, too. It’s a mix of sand and rocks, and depending on the time of day, low tide will expose more sandy shoreline to explore. You’ll also get a beautiful view of the cliffs, and have the option to head out on the 3.2 mile out-and-back trail if you want.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at this beach, and because most people know it as a hiking trail, the beach itself doesn’t tend to get crowded.
Parking for the beach and trail is at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road, and mopeds are not allowed. It’s got a designated lot which can accommodate quite a few cars, but it’s not a giant beach parking lot. Once you park, it’s about an 8-10 minute walk to the beach.
Please keep in mind that the Clay Head trail does have poison ivy. If you stick to the trail, you’ll be fine, but if you’re sensitive to poison ivy, you may want to consider waring socks and sneakers while on the trail. I’ve walked in several times and never gotten a rash, but I never veer off the designated trail.
7. Ballard’s Beach – Where To Go For A Party Vibe
One of the most convenient beaches on the island to get to is Ballard’s, and that’s because it’s a 5-minute walk or less from the ferry terminal – making it super easy to get to if you’re just on the island for the day.
Ballard’s is known as the party beach on the island, and that’s largely because the facilities here make it conducive to that kind of atmosphere. There’s an indoor bar, an outdoor tiki bar, a restaurant, they play music, you can rent cabanas, and their menu is loaded with all kinds of drinks from shots to oversized cocktails. It’s definitely a vibe in and of itself, and absolutely the best place to go if that’s what you’re looking for.
While you’ll have to pay extra to snag one of the cabanas, you can also bring your own beach equipment and set-up at no charge.
The shoreline here is also really nice and sandy, making it great for walking, and you’ll find a rock jetty, plus views of the ferries coming and going throughout the day. Despite being close to the ferries and town, most of the beach is still really nice with beautiful turquoise water.
This beach is also staffed with lifeguards, and has bathrooms, making it a better beach to visit if you need these amenities.
8. West Side Beaches: Dorry’s, Cooneymus & Grace’s – Best For Sunsets
I’ve grouped these beaches together because they’re all very close to one another along the western shore of the island. They all have very rocky coastline, so they’re not the best for swimming, BUT, they’re amazing spots for sunsets.
While I wouldn’t rule them out for swimming, it’s just good to know that most of the shoreline is pretty rocky. As you get closer to the bluffs and beach grasses, you’ll find that it gets a little more sandy, so this is where you’ll want to set-up your beach blanket and/or chair. But I just like to be transparent that these beaches are some of the rockier ones on the entire island.
The surf at these beaches tends to be pretty mild unless it’s a windy day, making them easy to explore with younger kids. But you’ll want to make sure to pack water shoes to protect your feet.
Where these beaches really shine is at sunset. Since they all face west, you’ll get a perfect view of the sun going down right over the water, which is what these beaches are most known for.
There are no facilities or lifeguards at these beaches, so plan accordingly.
9. Andy’s Way – Best Access To Great Salt Pond
Great Salt Pond is a lagoon in the central part of the island that opens up to the Atlantic ocean. It’s so large that it’s about 1.5 miles at its widest part, making is a very large, but calm, body of water to explore.
Most people like to boat or kayak around the pond for this reason, but Andy’s Beach makes it easy to enjoy a beach day at the pond.
This small little beach is a popular kayak launch point, but it’s also got a sandy stretch that’s perfect for lounging and swimming.
The parking area here is small, but has a scenic boardwalk that leads you from the parking lot to the beach, and it’s easily accessible right off Corn Neck Road. In fact, it’s pretty much directly across the street from Scotch Beach, so you’ll find additional parking along the road if needed.
There are no facilities or lifeguards here, so plan accordingly. But if you have very young children that require a calm swimming experience in shallow water, this is a great option.
10. Surf Beach (Crescent Beach) – Where To Go For Sea Life & Snorkeling
Last on my list is Surf Beach, which sits right outside the Block Island Beach House hotel, and is also less than a 5-minute walk from the ferry. Besides Ballard’s, it’s the easiest beach to get to from town.
Surf Beach is the southern-most beach along Crescent, and has sandy shoreline, and very shallow water, making it another fantastic one for those with young kids. This beach is also known as the best snorkeling spot on the island since the shallow water allows you to easily explore sea life. Many people have spotted sand dollars and star fish just off the shoreline, and while I haven’t personally seen any here, I’ve seen plenty of photos of people’s great finds.
Surf Beach does not have any lifeguards here, but it’s so close to the Block Island Beach House hotel, which has a bar and restaurant, making it easy to get food and drinks to bring to the beach.
Visiting Block Island Beaches – Insider Tips
→ All beaches are free to visit, an is all beach parking. This includes the entire island, making is a great way to maximize your budget when visiting.
→ Some beaches are located down long, dirt roads which do not allow mopeds because it’s unsafe to navigate these roads of mopeds. You’ll need to drive very slow to reduce the risk of damaging your car, and for general safety of others on the roads.
→ If you visiting beaches via mopeds, remember that you won’t be allowed down dirt roads for safety reasons. You’ll see signs warning you of this. Please take this seriously, as I’ve seen people wipe on on mopeds trying to get down dirt roads, and it’s very dangerous.
Block Island Beaches – Answering Your Questions
Are Block Island Beaches Crowded?
The ones closest to the ferry terminal are very crowded, but the crowds thin out at beaches further from the ferry. So, Ballard’s, and the beaches within Crescent all get the most crowded. During summer weekends and holidays, you’ll experience the most crowds, but I’ve never found them to be any worse than most popular beaches in New England in the summer.
Are Block Island Beaches Sandy Or Rocky?
Both – it will just depend on which beach you visit.
The sandiest beaches are the ones on the eastern shore, and are closer to the ferry terminal. These beaches include Ballard’s and all along Crescent.
Mohegan Beach is a mix of sand and rocks, and the western shore beaches tend to be rocky – with the exception of Charlestown Beach, which is very sandy.
Are The Island’s Beaches Dog-Friendly?
Yes! In fact, dogs are allowed on all Block Island beaches year-round, without seasonal limitations, making this a great destination to bring your pups with you. Dogs must be leashed at all times and considerate of other beach goers, but otherwise, have fun!
As a dog owner myself, I love this about the island because most beaches in New England don’t allow dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which is really frustrating.
Are Beach Fires Permitted?
Yes, but there are restrictions, and a permit is required. Beach fire permits are released same-day, and valid until midnight of that day. Beach fires are prohibited on all Crescent Beach areas, the National Wildlife Refuge, and within 25 feet of sand dunes.
For more information on obtaining a beach fire permit, click here.
What Are The Best Beaches To Visit On A Day Trip?
For day-trippers, I usually recommend the beaches along Crescent, so Town Beach or Scotch Beach being great choices. These are perfect because they’re just far enough away from the ferry to feel like out further from town, but it doesn’t take long to get to them once you arrive (either a 5-minute drive or just over a mile walking).
The most convenient from the ferry terminal is Ballard’s Beach, which is a 5-minute walk.
However, if you plan to bring your car with you to the island, or ride a bike, it’s very easy to get to any of the beaches during your visit since the island is so small.
More Block Island posts you may find helpful:
- Best Things To Do On Block Island
- How To Plan A Block Island Day Trip
- Where To Stay On Block Island: My Favorite Hotels & Areas
That’s A Wrap On Block Island’s Best Beaches
And there you have it! That’s my ultimate guide on the best Block Island beaches. Hopefully you’re now feeling more prepared to decide which ones to visit during your stay, and also, where to plan epic sunset viewings. Happy planning!
