Southeast Light is located on Mohegan Bluffs at the southeastern corner of the island. Photo/NEB

Perhaps all boaters have a bit of explorer in them. They feel some inner pull to leave the comfort of land, venture across the water, and make landfall in new places they want to explore and enjoy.

Few places in New England reward that inner explorer quite like Block Island. Located roughly 12 miles south of Point Judith, Rhode Island, and 14 miles east of Montauk, Long Island, Block Island is one of the Northeast’s most iconic boating destinations. It features breathtaking natural beauty with dramatic cliffs, quiet white sand beaches, and pristine nature trails. It is also home to art galleries, world-class resorts and restaurants, and unique boutiques and shops. And, given the island’s size is less than 10 square miles, all of these attractions are easy to get to by foot, bike, moped, or taxi, making an already attractive destination that much more wonderful.

Block Island was formed during the end of the last ice age by the same receding glaciers that formed places like Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. European explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano recorded seeing the island in 1524 and noted that it was already “well-peopled for we saw fires all along the coaste.” The island had several names over the next 100 years, but when Dutch explorer Adriaen Block charted the island in 1614, he named it after himself and — lucky for him — the name stuck.

Boating on the Block

The island is home to two harbors: New Harbor and Old Harbor. New Harbor is on the west side of the island in Great Salt Pond and is the primary landing spot for visiting boaters. The town of New Harbor maintains 90 transient moorings that are first-come, first-served and a 75-acre anchorage east of the main channel. Boaters can contact the harbormaster (401-466-3204, VHF 12) for information.

New Harbor is also home to three large marinas. Champlin’s Marina and Resort is one of New England’s largest resort marinas with more than 4,500 linear feet of dock space, a 30′ harbor depth, and spacious docking facilities that can accommodate vessels up to 250’. It has 220 slips and amenities such as fuel, onsite restaurants, and bike, kayak, and paddleboard rentals.

Relax and enjoy the island’s beaches. Photo/BI Tourism, Ross Draper.

Another marina, New Harbor Boat Basin has 85 transient slips, and it has showers, pumpout, and a ship’s store. It is also home to The Oar, a popular restaurant and bar. The third marina in New Harbor, Payne’s Dock has slip space for 100 boats and it offers fuel, electric, showers, and it is home to three restaurants.

Block Island’s other harbor, Old Harbor, is on the east side of the island and is protected by a breakwater. The Old Harbor Town Dock offers dock space for 30 boats, which is first-come, first-served. The harbor also has limited space for anchoring in the harbor’s western corner. Call the Old Harbor harbormaster (401-466-3235) for information on docking and anchoring.

Exploring the Island

Visiting boaters will discover that getting around the island is easy, as you can’t walk far without coming across one of the many places that rent bicycles or mopeds. Aldo’s Moped and Bikes has been on the island since the 1970s. They will pick you up anywhere on the island, and they offer detailed training for first-time moped riders. Island Moped and Bikes has been on the island for more than 30 years and features a large fleet of bikes and mopeds.

Deciding how you’ll get around the island is important, because there’s so much to explore. Conservation efforts by the island’s residents have helped Block Island preserve its natural beauty and protect it from overdevelopment. The result is a stunning destination that is sure to delight nature lovers. A must-see is Mohegan Bluffs, dramatic 200-foot-tall clay cliffs that offer dramatic views over the Atlantic. Visitors can walk the 141 stairs down to the beach at the base of the cliff to enjoy one of the most secluded but beautiful beaches on the island. (Just remember you’ll also need to walk back up those steps!)

The Block Island Greenway is a network of more than 28 miles of walking trails that feature rolling hills, scenic views, and wildlife. If you’d prefer to bike, the Block Island Self-Guided Bike Tour is a 7.5-mile loop that stops at nine major sites at the southern end of the island. Cyclists can also explore the island’s north end, which adds 8.5 miles out to the iconic North Lighthouse, a historic iron and granite lighthouse built in 1867.

If you’re a birdwatcher, Block Island is a dream destination. Even if you’re not, it’s worth giving birdwatching a try while on the island. That’s because Block Island is one of the best birdwatching destinations in the Northeast. More than 250 different species land on the island each year. Species you are likely to see include peregrine falcons and red-tailed hawks in the sky, as well as ring-necked pheasants and American woodcocks among wildflowers. In the fall, thousands of warblers, rare sparrows, and vagrants flock to the island.

In-Town Attractions

There are many unique shops near the ferry. Photo/NEB

If you prefer exploring art galleries, shops, and unique restaurants over birds, beaches, and hiking trails, you’ll find plenty to love on the island. Art enthusiasts should visit the Spring Street Gallery, a once-abandoned horse barn that was converted into an art gallery more than 40 years ago. The gallery is a cooperative of Block Island artists, and it features paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, and community events that showcase the beauty and creative heritage of the island.

For something unexpected — and a lot of fun, especially if you have kids — visit the exotic animal farm at the 1661 Inn. The farm features a menagerie of animals including camels, llamas, pygmy goats, black swans, a yak, a zebu, lemurs, red kangaroos, and more.

Island Dining

After exploring all of Block Island’s attractions, you’re likely to have worked up an appetite. The great thing about Block Island is even if you didn’t want to see any attractions at all, and the only thing you wanted to do was eat, the fantastic restaurants on the island are worth the trip on their own.

The island’s biggest marinas all have multiple excellent eateries right near their docks. The Landing at Champlin’s offers fresh local cuisine to go along with beautiful views of the Great Salt Pond. Guests can enjoy hand-crafted dishes such as New England clam chowder, fresh lobster rolls, steak frites, and more, paired with nautical-inspired cocktails. Also at Champlin’s, Blockamole provides a fun, tasty Mexican flare with flavorful dishes such as fish tacos and nachos.

At New Harbor Boat Basin, The Oar is an American restaurant featuring clam chowder, lobster rolls, burgers, and it also has a full sushi bar. Also at the Boat Basin, the 1661 Inn offers a champagne breakfast each morning that is open to the public.

At Payne’s Dock, Mahogany Shoals is a casual restaurant and bar that features live music. Nearby, Lobster Craft offers a delicious menu — including their award-winning lobster roll — right at the dock. Also at Payne’s is The Cracked Mug, where visitors can start their day with coffee, pastries, smoothies, or breakfast sandwiches.

In New Harbor, Dead Eye Dick’s is open for lunch and dinner daily. Dead Eye’s eclectic menu offers fresh seafood, including their signature swordfish and lobster dishes. Diners can also enjoy homemade soups, an extensive raw bar, creative cocktails, wine, and microbrews while enjoying views overlooking New Harbor.