Useful Facts

Block Island Do's & Dont's

Lodging:
Block Island has hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, guest houses and home rentals. Plan ahead with reservations, which require initial deposits.

Special Events:
Several of the hotels and lighthouses offer special wedding arrangements. Several also have facilities to accommodate seminars, conferences, workshops and retreats.

Getting Around:
Taxi rates are based on a zone system and are posted inside each cab. Bicycles and mopeds must use the road and are subject to the same rules as autos. Mopeds may be used on paved roads only; helmets and eye protection is required.

Beach Use:
The beaches are free on Block Island. However, fires on the beach require a permit from the police dept issued day of, available at the New Shoreham Police Department, located at Ocean and Beach Avenues.

Public Restrooms:
Locations at the ferry landing in Old Harbor; town dock; next to the Hog Pen in New Harbor; Town Hall; Island Free Library; State Airport; North Light; Transfer Station; Sewer Company; Police/Fire Station; and in the Fred Benson Town Beach pavilion, which also has showers, rental chairs, food concession..

Rentals:
Bicycles, mopeds, automobiles, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, fishing poles, kayaks and canoes.

Drinking:
The legal drinking age in Rhode Island is 21. Drinking on public property is prohibited.

Camping:
Limited to Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups at a designated campsite; sleeping in the open is prohibited. Contact (401) 351-8700.

Leash Laws:
Dogs must be kept leashed at all times.

Town Ordinances Prohibit:

• Drinking alcoholic beverages in streets, on docks, etc.
• Camping, except by special permission.
• Sleeping overnight in vehicles or on beaches.
• Operating motorcycles between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Beach fires and/or driving on the beach without permit.
• Dumping refuse on roads or in harbors.
• Shellfishing without a license.
• Charcoal fires on boats tied up at docks.
• Disturbing the peace.
• Unleashed dogs.
• Littering.