Block Island sits just off the coast of Rhode Island, close enough for a long day trip yet wrapped in the feeling of being elsewhere. Ferries do most of the heavy lifting, and if you are starting in Connecticut, your options funnel through two practical routes: depart directly from New London on the seasonal high-speed service, or drive to the Rhode Island mainland and catch the frequent ferries out of Point Judith. Both get you to the same place, but they serve different travelers and different kinds of days. After years hopping across on calm seas and sloppy ones, early mornings and end-of-summer rushes, this is how I would plan the trip.
What “Block Island ferry” really means
People often say “the Block Island ferry” as if there is only one boat. In reality, there are several services, some seasonal, some year-round, operated by different companies and departing from different ports. From Connecticut, the headline choice is the high-speed catamaran out of New London, typically marketed as a ninety-minute crossing. From Rhode Island, the main artery is the Point Judith service, which runs year-round with both conventional ferries and a high-speed option in season, plus an open-deck cargo schedule that locals rely on for trucks, fuel, and everything else an island needs.
You can’t treat all of these as interchangeable. Schedules, luggage policies, bike rules, car availability, pet restrictions, and weather tolerance vary. The trick is to match the boat to your priorities: cost, flexibility, the need to bring a car or bike, and how much you care about a firm schedule when the forecast gets lumpy.
The two Connecticut-friendly routes
Once you plot the map, the decision tree becomes simple.
- New London, Connecticut to Old Harbor, Block Island: A seasonal high-speed passenger-only ferry that runs roughly late spring through early fall, with more frequency in July and August. This is the direct Connecticut line and the easiest if you do not need a car. The crossing typically runs about 90 minutes. Point Judith, Rhode Island (Galilee) to Old Harbor, Block Island: Year-round conventional ferry with a high-speed seasonal option. This is the only route that carries cars and trucks. Driving from southeastern Connecticut to Point Judith is usually 45 to 75 minutes, depending on where you start and traffic over the bridges. Add the ferry time: about an hour on the conventional boat, about 30 minutes on the high-speed passenger ferry.
That’s the core framework. Everything else is nuance.
When the New London high-speed ferry is the right call
If you are coming from Hartford County, New Haven, or the Connecticut shoreline and traveling without a vehicle, the New London route is hands-down the easiest. You park, walk on with a daypack and maybe a beach bag, and walk off into Old Harbor with the heart of town at your feet. You avoid I-95 around Providence, and you avoid the car-boarding choreography in Galilee.
In high summer, I prefer this route for day trips. You can make a morning departure, rent bikes steps from the dock, pedal to Mansion Beach or the North Light, grab a lobster roll at DeadEye Dick’s or the Oar, and be back on the evening boat before sunset. If you have kids, it’s less herding and more fun.
A few practical notes matter here. The New London high-speed vessel is a catamaran, which rides better than a monohull in chop, but it still bounces when the wind opposes the current. On blustery southwest afternoons, expect a few taps off the seatback in front of you if you are holding a drink and you hit the wrong set. If seasickness is in the family history, claim a seat near midship, lower on the deck, and keep your eyes out the window. Hydrate and keep snacks light. Ferry coffee can be strong, but it doesn’t help a queasy stomach.
Expect luggage restrictions. You can bring reasonable bags and beach gear, but rolling coolers and oversize items may be limited or charged. Bikes on high-speed ferries require a separate reservation and often sell out on peak weekends. Plan that piece first if biking is a must.
The biggest caveat is that this New London service is seasonal. In shoulder months, the schedule shrinks. On some weekdays outside July and August, you might only get two departures. The timetable is strong enough for a day trip if you time it right, but it rewards early booking.
When to drive to Point Judith
If you need your car on Block Island, Point Judith is your only option. That decision tends to be made for you by your itinerary: a week in a rental out by Mohegan Bluffs, hauling groceries, beach tents, and fishing gear, or traveling with older relatives who will be more comfortable with a car on the island’s hilly roads. The conventional ferry out of Galilee is a reliable workhorse with a broad weather window, and it handles bikes, paddleboards, and cargo vans that would never see the deck of a fast ferry.
Booking your vehicle is a different exercise than buying a passenger ticket. Car reservations go on sale months ahead and weekend spots in July and August can vanish quickly. If you know your rental dates, reserve the car slot first. You can always adjust passenger tickets later. Arrive early on departure day, because loading is a ballet the crew has perfected and they don’t hold the curtain.
If you are traveling light, the Point Judith high-speed passenger ferry is a flexible middle ground. The drive from Connecticut is not bad outside holiday weekends, and you gain more options if weather cancels the high-speed but leaves the conventional ferry running. On certain days, having two different boat types in the same port doubles your odds of making it across.
Parking at Galilee has its rhythm. The walkable lots closest to the terminal fill on sunny Saturdays by mid-morning. Overflow lots farther out run shuttles, and the shuttles are predictable, but they add 10 to 15 minutes to the choreography. Plan it in, not as a surprise.
Weather, cancellations, and making good choices
Southerly winds build almost like clockwork most summer afternoons off the coast of Rhode Island. Mornings run calmer, which is why I push people toward early departures whenever the schedule allows. If a front rolls through or the wind stacks above 20 knots against a flooding tide, the high-speed ferries are the first to blink. They are fast and efficient under most conditions, but they have operational limits. The conventional ferries, with heavier displacement and wider operating windows, are more likely to continue in sloppy seas, even if they slow to a crawl.
If you have a flight to catch the same evening or another time-sensitive commitment, give yourself an extra margin. Pick the conventional ferry if you cannot afford the risk. I have made the late-afternoon high-speed back to the mainland in a stiff sou’wester that would have rattled loose fillings, but I have also watched departures cancel in a cascade while the conventional boat kept plodding. It is never worth gambling if you can budget the extra hour.
Seasickness is worse when you are under-slept, dehydrated, or hungover. Avoid starting the day behind the curve. Ginger chews help some people, and so does a salty cracker. Dramamine works if taken in time, but it can make you drowsy. I only reach for it when I know the forecast is ugly.
What to expect on board
The high-speed ferries are businesslike: upholstered seats, indoor cabins, decent air conditioning, and a snack bar with drinks and light fare. The ride is quick and often smooth. You can go outside briefly at the stern on some boats, but this is not a sightseeing deck in the classic sense. If you bi ferry new london want to linger in the wind with a camera, buy a conventional ticket on a fair day.
The conventional boats are sturdier and slower. You can walk the decks, watch the fishing fleet peel out of Galilee, or lean on the rail as the island comes into view. It feels like a crossing, not just a commute. Snack bars vary in stock, but you will usually find a coffee, soft drinks, chips, and a muffin or two. Bathrooms are simple but functional. On hot days, the shaded exterior decks are the prize.
Pets are allowed, but rules differ by vessel and operator. Dogs generally need to be leashed and may be restricted from certain indoor areas. If your dog is anxious on boats, pick a calm morning departure and bring water.
Arriving in Old Harbor and making your first moves
Both New London and Point Judith ferries land in Old Harbor, a snug semicircle that works as the island’s front porch. The practical gifts of Old Harbor are its density and walkability. Within a few blocks you have bike rentals, moped shops, taxis, casual restaurants, ice cream windows, and a small grocery. If you are visiting for a day and have no fixed plan, you can decide your route right on the dock.
Bikes sell out on peak days by late morning. If you plan to ride the island loop, book ahead or aim for the first ferry. Helmets help on hills and intersections where rental mopeds sometimes negotiate the rules imperfectly. Block Island’s roads are narrow, scenic, and occasionally blind around bends. Ride with the kind of caution that assumes a truck might appear around the corner.
If you arrive with a car, set your gear at the rental or hotel before you start exploring. Parking in Old Harbor is limited to short durations during summer. For a swim, Mansion Beach gives you room to breathe even when the island is buzzing. The walk down to the staircase at Mohegan Bluffs is worth the effort, but the surf here is stronger and less predictable than at Crescent Beach. Respect the signs and the conditions.
How long to stay
A well-planned day trip can be terrific: out on the first or second ferry, bike to the North Light and Settlers Rock, swim at Scotch Beach, lunch near the marina, a nap in the shade by the statue in Old Harbor, and then a late boat back. You will sleep well that night.
Two or three nights unlock the quieter corners. You can time a stroll along the Clayhead trail near golden hour, book a charter to fish the rips, and find a table at a restaurant that would have been mobbed at noon. July and August are a social engine. September is my favorite month. The water is still warm, the light turns honeyed, and the crowds thin just enough that you can hear the wind in the grass.
Pricing and value
Ticket prices shift seasonally and differ by operator. High-speed boats cost more than conventional ferries, sometimes by a third to a half. A round trip on the high-speed from New London often falls in the range of what you might pay for a weekend dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant, while the conventional round trip from Point Judith is comfortably less. Car fares are significant, and they scale with vehicle size. Add the passenger fares, and a family of four with a vehicle is making a real investment for even a short stay.
The trade-off is convenience and equipment. If you need the car, you pay for it and appreciate it every time you run to the store or decide to check a beach at the far end of the island. If you are traveling light, there is a strong case to leave the car on the mainland and move by bike, taxi, and foot. It is more peaceful, and you will feel the island’s scale more honestly.
Connecticut departure day logistics
New London is easy to use. The ferry terminal sits within a compact downtown with garages and surface lots. On peak summer weekends, arrive 45 to 60 minutes ahead if you have bikes, large bags, or a group. If you just have a daypack and a reservation, 30 minutes is usually enough. Trains serve New London via Amtrak and Shore Line East, and the schedule sometimes lines up cleanly enough that you can connect without a car.
If you are driving to Point Judith, study the return traffic patterns. Sunday evenings on I-95 through Warwick and across the bridges can slow to a crawl after 4 p.m. I routinely pick an earlier return boat to avoid sitting on the highway for an hour watching Waze redraw routes. If you must take a late ferry, accept the delay and keep a bottle of water handy.
Packing for success
A ferry day is a microclimate puzzle. The waterfront can be ten degrees cooler than inland Connecticut, and sea breeze builds by midday. Bring a light layer even in August. Sun is merciless when reflected off water, so sunscreen and a hat matter more than you think. A dry bag for a phone and wallet earns its keep the first time a wave sloshes across your shoes on a breezy dock.
If you plan to bike, wear shoes that pedal well, not just beach sandals. Throw in a small cable lock for café stops. If you are a swimmer, plan for a quick-change towel and a bag that keeps wet separate from dry. The island’s small shops carry the basics, but their pricing reflects the extra miles everything travels to get there.
Timing your crossing with the island’s pulse
Block Island has rhythms that reward attention. The first morning boats deliver day trippers who fan out quickly to the beaches and the North Light trail. Late morning and early afternoon see the peak influx, and restaurants around Old Harbor fill. If you want a quiet lunch, push out to New Harbor or eat earlier than everyone else. The late-afternoon boats reverse the flow. If you can stay through dinner, the energy shifts as the sun drops and the last shuttle buses head back to Providence.
On Fridays and Sundays, watch the parade of cars boarding and disembarking at Galilee. If you are on foot, that choreography dictates taxi availability and bike shop lines. A little patience helps. The crews keep it moving, but the volumes are real.
Families, groups, and edge cases
Traveling with small children on the high-speed from Connecticut is easy as long as you keep snacks and distractions handy. The crossing is just long enough for a nap, not long enough to ruin a day if they skip it. Strollers are fine, but compact ones are easier to handle around the gangways and on the docks.
If someone in your group has mobility challenges, call ahead about boarding assistance and seating. The conventional ferries offer more open space and more forgiving boarding angles. Once you are on Block Island, taxis are used to helping, but you will want to plan routes to avoid steep hills and long stretches without shade.
Anglers face a different set of choices. If you are bringing rods and a cooler and plan to fish the south side at first light, the car on the conventional ferry pays for itself. For casual surfcasting or a quick dusk session, a backpack rod and the high-speed boat can work, especially if you are staying near town.
The case for choosing Rhode Island, even if you live in Connecticut
This sounds counterintuitive, but I have driven past the New London terminal plenty of times to use Point Judith instead. Two reasons dominate. First, if the forecast is borderline and I need to make the trip, the conventional boat’s wider operating window is comforting. Second, if I am traveling in shoulder season on a weekday, the frequency of departures in Galilee can outrun the convenience of the direct hop from New London’s seasonal schedule.
There is also the simple pleasure of that conventional crossing. On a blue-sky morning with five to eight knots of breeze and a long swell, leaning on the rail feels like the vacation has started even before you see the island. That may matter to you more than saving half an hour. It does to me.
Responsible travel on an island that is still a community
Rhode Island’s Block Island is a place where people live full-time, send kids to school, and run small businesses that swing from quiet winters to intense summers. Treat it with respect. Pack out what you bring to the beach. Don’t climb the bluffs or trample the dune grass, which holds the shore together. The bike paths and narrow roads work only if everyone behaves predictably, yields when they should, and remembers that a moped with a nervous first-time rider might wobble at an intersection.
Tip generously when you can. Freight rates, housing constraints, and seasonal labor realities make island economics tight. The ferry crews, dockhands, and restaurant staff handle the summer surge with grace more often than not.
Making the choice: a quick decision aid
If you need a car, go to Point Judith and book a conventional ferry early. If you are traveling light from Connecticut and want the simplest door-to-dock hop, use New London’s high-speed service when it is running. If the forecast looks marginal and you have a hard deadline, pick the conventional ferry for reliability. If you are after the lowest fares and you have the time, the conventional boat usually wins.
A sample day trip that works
Arrive in New London by 8:15 a.m. for a morning high-speed. Coffee in hand, seats mid-cabin. Off the boat in Old Harbor, pick up reserved bikes. Ride out past Fred Benson Town Beach and lock up near Mansion Beach for a swim. Back on the bikes by early afternoon, cut across to the Southeast Lighthouse and take a look down at Mohegan Bluffs. Roll into town mid-afternoon for a late lunch when the crowd starts to thin. Stroll the shops, grab an ice cream, and line up for the evening ferry with time to spare. You will be back in Connecticut with the last light.
If the high-speed looks iffy, run the same play from Galilee. Conventional ferry out in the morning, decks in the breeze, a slower ride that trades time for certainty. You will be on the island by mid-day and back before bedtime.
Final tips that save headaches
- Book vehicle spots months ahead for July and August weekends, then layer in passenger tickets. If seasickness is a concern, choose morning departures, sit low and midship, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Build a weather cushion into your itinerary on both ends. Ferries are reliable, but the ocean still calls the shots.
However you go, the ferry is part of the story. It sets the cadence for the day and resets the nervous system. The moment the Rhode Island mainland falls away and Block Island starts to sharpen on the horizon, life gets simpler. All the better if you chose the route that fits your plans instead of forcing your plans to boarding Block Island Express at New London fit the boat.
Location: 2 Ferry St,New London, CT 06320,United States Phone number: 18604444624