Heading to Block Island for a few days in Aug, wondering what to expect.

[Jeremygavin]

We are heading out of Falmouth MA heading to Newport for 3 days and then out to Block Island for 3 days first week of Aug. We are staying at Champlins on Block and I have a 3 year old and a 5.5 year old on board. What are the does and don't for block island, just looking for real world feedback from people that go there often. We have never been there. We spend a lot of time in Oak Bluffs on the Vineyard, have done Nantucket so I am trying to get a feel to what to expect out of Block Island compared to those ports What is the best slip to be on at Champlins? I hear the rafting can get bad there. Is there anything to know about that situation? Is the rafting as bad as I am seeing on some peoples reviews online, anchors hanging in their cockpits, Harbor master being a a**hole, electricity going out all the time? I just want to know what to expect. What are the best beaches? We are open minded and like having people around and don't mind the noise but I can't put up with my boat getting damaged. Thanks for any advice I can get.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Hey! Read up on our flotilla - maybe our dates will coincide....That said champlins is most busy on 4th of july week and other holiday weekends....The best place to be is on the main pier as opposed to the "arms" that extend out on each side. On "normal" weekends the rafting is not as deep (if any) Block is quite "laid back" no public transit like MV, instead their are "taxis" that gouge you - not really necessary either - the walk to town is not that bad and you may not want to leave champlins....of course there's always bike and scooter rentals if you want to see the bluffs, etc. If you have a dink, your best off beaching it and walking over the dunes to crescent beach (many call it state or town beach) there is also a "beach" by the old coast guard station - not much of a beach, but a great place to watch the boats....Ballards is "in town" but really, state beach is where you want to be. Champlins provides a great place to cook your own food and tables to eat it on - of course champlis has a restauraunt and there's the world famous oar next door....dont forget to see a movie at champlins theater - its "rustic" and kinda cool. My family loves this place...Where do you plan to stay in Newport - we are at the newport harbor hotel

 

[saopm]

My kids are around the same age. At the very lease maybe you can rent a bike with a child seat on the back. Otherwise, I’m not sure how you would get around the island with two small kids.

 

[Jaay757]

Jeremy,
Where in Falmouth are you? We are thinking of heading to waqoit bay this weekend. We have never been there but heard there is a great beach. looking for something new. Do you know if you can raft up in there. We are in Mattapoisett. we are also heading to block Aug 12-17. Looking forward to it.

Jason

 

[Alex F]

... Otherwise, I’m not sure how you would get around the island with two small kids.

We usually use Champlins as the base where we hangout with friends and leave the dinghies. Then, get a cab to ho to town. With small kids I think you'll need a cab.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Hey! Read up on our flotilla - maybe our dates will coincide....That said champlins is most busy on 4th of july week and other holiday weekends....The best place to be is on the main pier as opposed to the "arms" that extend out on each side. On "normal" weekends the rafting is not as deep (if any) Block is quite "laid back" no public transit like MV, instead their are "taxis" that gouge you - not really necessary either - the walk to town is not that bad and you may not want to leave champlins....of course there's always bike and scooter rentals if you want to see the bluffs, etc. If you have a dink, your best off beaching it and walking over the dunes to crescent beach (many call it state or town beach) there is also a "beach" by the old coast guard station - not much of a beach, but a great place to watch the boats....Ballards is "in town" but really, state beach is where you want to be. Champlins provides a great place to cook your own food and tables to eat it on - of course champlis has a restauraunt and there's the world famous oar next door....dont forget to see a movie at champlins theater - its "rustic" and kinda cool. My family loves this place...Where do you plan to stay in Newport - we are at the newport harbor hotel

Thanks for all that info. It is really helpful. We will have our bikes and trailers for the girls so we can get around. We will also have the dinghy with us so we will check out crescent beach, sounds like a fun time. We will be at Newport harbor hotel aug 4-6th and in block 7-8th then back home. Is Newport harbor hotel your home slip?

 

[Jeremygavin]

My kids are around the same age. At the very lease maybe you can rent a bike with a child seat on the back. Otherwise, I’m not sure how you would get around the island with two small kids.

We will have our bikes and trailers for the girls so we will be mobile.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Jeremy,
Where in Falmouth are you? We are thinking of heading to waqoit bay this weekend. We have never been there but heard there is a great beach. looking for something new. Do you know if you can raft up in there. We are in Mattapoisett. we are also heading to block Aug 12-17. Looking forward to it.

Jason

Jason,
I am in Falmouth harbor in front of the flying bridge restaurant, across the harbor from McDougals marine. Waquoit bay is a nice place for the day. The beaches are pretty good, you can raft up on the left side once inside the harbor. Most of the bay is not a no wake zone so people make waves but it isn't too bad. If it is a nice day and want a real treat then go another 15 min cruise around the corner of Falmouth to Cotuit harbor. I think it is the nicest harbor on the cape. My friends father owned a marina (prince cove marina) at the end of north bay so I grew up bumming around in there on my buddies 17 montauk. Once inside Cotuit harbor you can anchor on the right side with plenty of water. If you go all the way around Cotuit harbor, through north bay and then out west bay you will see some really impressive houses and scenery. There is a draw bridge to navigate but it is active and I think you can fit without it being raised. We will be in Tashmoo harbor on the vineyard tomorrow and I am not sure where on Sunday. That is a great place as well. Plenty of places to anchor and some nice beaches to take the dingy to. Let me know if you are heading this way and if I can help with places to go.

 

[Jaay757]

Jeremy,
Thanks for the info, we were in tashmoo last weekend. That is one of our favorite places. Maybe we will venture to cotuit tomorrow instead of waqoit. We have stayed in Falmouth harbor a few times also. We are trying to venture to some new places aside from ob, cutty, Bassett ect. . The name on our 340 is Crazy 8's. What is th name on yours, so we can look out for you? Thanks again,
Jason

 

[Jeremygavin]

Jeremy,
Thanks for the info, we were in tashmoo last weekend. That is one of our favorite places. Maybe we will venture to cotuit tomorrow instead of waqoit. We have stayed in Falmouth harbor a few times also. We are trying to venture to some new places aside from ob, cutty, Bassett ect. . The name on our 340 is Crazy 8's. What is th name on yours, so we can look out for you? Thanks again,
Jason

We were there in tashmoo on sunday afternoon. I had a guys weekend in OB for the shark tourny till sunday morning. That place gets more crazy every year that weekend The name of the boat is Flipper. If you see us, stop by and say hello. We are out somewhere everyweekend the weather allows. Do pass up waquiot it is a great spot as well. I think you will enjoy Cotuit harbor. The island you are going around there is great island, aka oyster harbors. If you have time also check can check out poponesset harbor to the west of Cotuit. It is smaller harbor but very nice. Cool, canal feel to it.

 

[Jaay757]

Jeremy thanks, I didn't mean to disrupt your thread on block. Any further info on Block would be appreciated. If any one has any Great to do's it would be appreciated. We also have 3 children 13,13 and 3. We were thinking of doing 2 nights at champlins and 2 on a mooring or anchor. I was told the anchorage in new harbor is pretty good. Can u raft on the moorings and/or in the anchorage, Does any one know?

We were on a 3 boat raft with another blue hull 34 and a white hull 32 last Sunday at tashmoo. Don't know if you saw us.
Jason

 

[Jeremygavin]

Jeremy thanks, I didn't mean to disrupt your thread on block. Any further info on Block would be appreciated. If any one has any Great to do's it would be appreciated. We also have 3 children 13,13 and 3. We were thinking of doing 2 nights at champlins and 2 on a mooring or anchor. I was told the anchorage in new harbor is pretty good. Can u raft on the moorings and/or in the anchorage, Does any one know?

We were on a 3 boat raft with another blue hull 34 and a white hull 32 last Sunday at tashmoo. Don't know if you saw us.
Jason

I did see you guys rafted. We went by at one point in the dingy I was pointing your raft out to the girls because there were 2 more boats like ours. We were counting the sea rays in harbor. I will stop by and say hello next time if we see you. Have a good day today, weather is awesome this morning in falmouth harbor.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Jeremy thanks, I didn't mean to disrupt your thread on block. Any further info on Block would be appreciated. If any one has any Great to do's it would be appreciated. We also have 3 children 13,13 and 3. We were thinking of doing 2 nights at champlins and 2 on a mooring or anchor. I was told the anchorage in new harbor is pretty good. Can u raft on the moorings and/or in the anchorage, Does any one know?

We were on a 3 boat raft with another blue hull 34 and a white hull 32 last Sunday at tashmoo. Don't know if you saw us.
Jason

You are allowed to raft two boats on a mooring in Block, both pay the same.
Anchoring is a sandy bottom and with proper scope, holding is fine.

Enjoy,
Mark

 

[Jaay757]

Thanks Mark,
do you know if you can raft only 2 on anchor also, I would guess probably but thought I would ask as we have 5 boats traveling.

Jason

 

[Air O'Nautical]

You can raft as many as you want on anchor.

 

[Jaay757]

Thanks Mark, Thats good to know.

 

[AFD]

sorry if i'm jumping in but i just had to voice my opinion about waquoit bay. I have been to cotuit harbor and love it there but some times you just need to get away from people and go exploring. my grandparents own a place on the back side of washburn island on eel pond so i grew up in waquoit bay and exploring washburn. actually my sisters and cousins and I used to swim to the island. if you have kids you could spend an entire weekend exploring the ponds of washburn and staying on the beach. you can make your own private escape into the woods for a hike too. it really is a great little place to spend a weekend or even just a day since you are so close anyway. just don't spend the night on the island unless you have TONS of bug spray. after dark you need it. plus you need a permit from the town to spend the night on the island as it is a state park...cost is a whopping $1 last i checked.