On the Beach/Block Island A Mom’s Review of the Block Island Beaches

Finding Your Way Around

Upon arriving a map of Block Island and its various beaches can be easily obtained at the Visitor’s Center on Water Street in Old Harbor. The Visitor’s Center is located along Water Street on the edge of the ferry parking lot and next door to the Public Bathrooms directly across from the ferry docking point. If for some reason the Visitor’s Center is closed when you arrive maps and guide books can also be purchased at the Star Department Store across the street.

Block Island has many beaches and for families traveling with children different beaches are appealing for different reasons. Some are within walking distance from town, others in biking distance. Some of the beaches further from town are best reached by those with small children in a car or taxi as the island is quite hilly and bike rides can become arduous for young and old alike.

Block Island Beach Tips

Getting to the Beach
Block Island is a place where you are going to want to be outdoors as much as possible. If you are traveling with young kids there are a few items of gear that will really expand your options of where to go and how you get there.

1. A front carrier for babies (like Baby Bjorn), and/or a backpack for babies and toddlers makes getting off the beaten path with little ones possible.

2. A jog stroller allows you to take the very young as well as preschoolers who tire easily down long trails to isolated beaches. You can also use the jog stroller when taking long walks on the beach however don’t get it in the saltwater because your wheels will rust terribly. I speak from experience.

3. Putting children’s bike seats on your bikes makes bicycling to beaches far from town doable. Many people on the island also use those little trailers that you can tow behind your bike. Those seem to work well but I’ve never tried it. Tag-a-longs are a great option for kids that are too big to ride in a bike seat on your bike but too little to ride on their own. Don’t forget to bring helmets for everyone, even/especially babies in the trailers!

Braving the Elements
Like any beach around the world the sun is unrelenting so a sun shelter comes in really handy. Block Island beaches can also become quite windy with blowing sand that really stings. If you can find a sun tent that has a floor, or sides that descend all the way to the sand so that it can also protect kids from wind this is your best bet. In my experience kids do not enjoy being sandblasted. Keep in mind Block Island has a very strict rule banning tenting on the island so, even though it may seem like a practical solution, don’t try to set up your little dome tent on the beach. If you do they will make you take it down. I speak from experience.

The ocean water on Block Island beaches is really, really super cold until late August and September when the gulf stream changes. If your child is sensitive to the cold or likes to stay in the water for long periods of time it is really worthwhile to buy a child-sized, real wet suit, with short sleeves and legs like the kind scuba divers wear. Don’t be fooled by the much less expensive nylon suits that look like wetsuits but are designed mainly to protect from sun. A real wetsuit really works to prevent blue lips and shivering. A wetsuit also protects your child from sunburn and the dreaded sandy bottom. If you have trouble finding one inland Block Island Sports, located on ??? Street in Old Harbor always has a great selection at competitive prices

Preventing the Attack of the Dreaded Sandy Bottom
This condition is not unique to children on Block Island but it can destroy a beach experience. My child has always been very sensitive to being sandy. When he was very young he would get covered from head to toe in sand and then freak out because he had to get the sand off him. I have discovered the best way to remove sand is to brush it off with a clean, dry bandanna or sari. I always pack a couple of pairs of clean underpants and shorts and yes, it is this bad, baby powder. You probably think I’m crazy but being prepared in this way has saved many a beach day.