Blockhead Charters

Block Island's Premier Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Charter Service

Capt. Pete Farrell

Est. 1998

About Block Island

from VisitRhodeIsland.com

Block Island, a 10-square mile gem of a seaside resort located just 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast is an evocative page from an Americana past.  Heralded as "one of the twelve best unspoiled areas in the Western Hemisphere," the island's rolling green hills and dramatic Mohegan Bluffs are reminiscent of Ireland, and its beautifully restored Victorian hotels and charming inns and B&B's preserve the elegance of a bygone era.  The bluffs rise abruptly to a height of about 200 feet above the sea and stretch for nearly three miles along the southern shore, offering spectacular scenic vistas.

In 1540, the island's rich carpet of soil became a battleground for Indian tribes who coveted it to grow corn and harvest clams from the sea.  Defeating the fierce Mohegans whom they ambushed and forced over the bluffs, the victorious Manisseans settled the island, calling it Manisses, Island of the Little God.  But the Indian name, however appropriate, didn't take.  In 1614, a Dutch navigator and explorer, Adrian Block, circumnavigated it, and it is his name that the island bears today.  In 1672, the name was officially changed to the Town of New Shoreham, but Block Island remains the popular choice.

Block Island's first white inhabitants were 16 families from the Massachusetts Bay Colony who fled Puritan Massachusetts with hopes of finding social and religious freedom.  They landed at what is now known as Settlers' Rock and with the assistance of the Manissee Indians, these early settlers wrested a living from farming and fishing, a tradition which has continued to the present day.

Things were to change by the late 1800's.  No longer did the islanders have to depend solely on the land and the sea to survive.  Word of the island's scenic beauty and peaceful seclusion had spread to the mainland, and more and more wealthy travelers began to make Block Island their summer retreat.  Luxurious steamers and yachts docked in Old Harbor and magnificent hotels sprang up along it's waterfront.  Even after several destructive hurricanes and the Great Depression, Block Island retained her charm.  Today, Block Island's popularity as a haven of incredible beauty and tranquility continues to thrive, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

A vacation anomaly, Block Island manages to be exclusive, sophisticated and unpretentious all at the same time.  Large, white clapboard Victorian hotels and inns stand on hillsides overlooking Old Harbor.  Ducks waddle along the dirt pathways, squawking at strangers, while cattle and goats graze in tiny pastures.  Well-traveled visitors have remarked that the scenery evokes images of France's Normandy coast and England's Isle of Wight.

On Block Island, you can spend the entire day playing or relaxing at one of the many beautiful, sandy beaches like State, Scotch or Mansion Beach.  Or rent a rowboat, sailboard, surfboard, or charter boat for sightseeing or deep-sea fishing.  Block Island is especially noted for its swordfish, record-sized striped bass, bluefish and flounder.  And freshwater enthusiasts will find as many as 350 rustic ponds that offer bass, perch and pickerel.

The best way to tour the Island is by bicycle or moped or by just walking around and exploring.  Experience the breathtaking Mohegan Bluffs, the Clayhead Nature Trail, Settlers' Rock, and historic North and Southeast Lights.  The Block Island Nature Conservancy operates a large trail system of walking and hiking paths through grassy meadows, quiet woods and along the sandy shore.  Or for a thorough overview of the island and its history, treat yourself to an informative island taxi tour.

Although most people choose to visit during the summer, more and more are discovering Block Island's spring and fall.  One of the most remarkable birding areas in North America, Block Island becomes the fall resting place for over 150 species of migratory birds.  Audubon Society programs for both novice and experienced bird watchers each year attract hundreds of enthusiasts.

Many places call themselves unique but few can compare with the variety and exquisite beauty of the 10 square miles of Block Island.  From Mohegan Bluffs on the southern coast, to the three miles of sandy beach just north of Old Harbor, to the stone walls of the inland moors, Block Island is pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul.  It is also one of the few places where people and nature coexist successfully.  Unhurried and unspoiled, you'll want to take your time as you go back in time on Block Island.

Located in the Atlantic 17 miles east of Long Island, New York and 12 miles south of the Rhode Island/Connecticut border, Block Island is easily reached by air or sea. Interstate Navigation operates year-round ferry service from Point Judith, Rhode Island.  A one-way trip takes approximately 1 hour. Cars are ferried by advance reservation only. Seasonal service is also offered from New London, CT, Montauk, LI, Providence and Newport, RI.  For those wishing to fly, New England Airlines provides regularly scheduled 15-minute flights from the state airport in Westerly, Rhode Island.

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