Packing List Essentials For A Block Island Day Trip

We are on our way to Block Island this morning! Block Island is one of my favorite off shore day trips from Connecticut. In fact, Block Island is actually one of my favorite places to travel out of every place we have been around the world. Matthew and I try to make it to the island at least once every summer. Overnight stays can get pricey and they book up months in advance, so we usually plan a day trip instead. One day I would like to plan a vacation that lasts several days, but for now I’m just as happy going for the day. The ferry from New London costs $55 per person round trip (not including your bicycle or vehicle, which you can bring for an additional fee). We usually take the second ferry out around 9:30 a.m. because we would have to get up much too early for the first ferry out and then we would be tired before we even got there.

There are lockers you can rent right off the docks if you need to stow away some things while you’re out riding a moped or at the beach, but I always recommend packing light so that you can carry your things with you.

In the past I made the mistake of packing everything in a cute tote or basket. I still bring them along if I have a place to put it, but trust me when I say that you will want a backpack instead, even if they look a lot less cute. A backpack will be much easier to carry around the whole day through and keep on you if you rent a bicycle or moped.

In your backpack you will want these essentials for a day trip to Block Island:

 

• A printed copy of your ferry ticket

 

• Hand sanitizer

 

• Beach towel (light weight preferred)

 

• Bathing suit (and leave that cover up at home you body positivity goddess you)

 

• Hair tie or clip for windy days and moped rentals

 

• Your ID card and wallet (with cash because some places are still cash only)

 

• Sunglasses

 

• Reusable water bottle

 

• Leave-in conditioner and a brush for the after swim beach hair

 

• Sunblock spf 50 (and don’t forget to reapply!)

 

• Camera with fully charged battery and clean memory card

 

• Your charged phone (and a charger for the ferry back)

 

• A wet bathing suit bag (you don’t want to carry that wet suit in your bag after)

 

• Water socks (great for those rocky beaches by the bluffs)

 

• Liquid lipstick (don’t bring any makeup that will melt)

 

• A book for the ferry and the beach

 

• A sunhat

 

• A light jacket or rain coat

 

Did I pack everything? Which essentials would you pack and which ones could you do without?