Block Island does sunsets exceptionally well. Ten square miles of open coastline, almost no light pollution, and a west facing side that looks out over the Great Salt Pond and the open water toward the mainland. When the sky goes pink and the boats in the harbor turn to silhouettes, it’s the kind of evening that ends up being the best part of the trip.
This is your guide to where to catch the sunset, the most photogenic spots on the island, and how to time it all for the best light.
First: Know Which Way to Look
Here’s the simple key to Block Island sunsets. The east side, Old Harbor, Town Beach, Mansion Beach, faces the open Atlantic and is your spot for sunrise. For sunset, you want the west and north sides, looking out over the Great Salt Pond and the water toward the Rhode Island coast. Get that orientation right and you’re halfway there. (Our Block Island map guide lays out the island’s sides if you need to picture it.)
The Best Sunset Spots
New Harbor and the Great Salt Pond. The island’s west facing heart. The marinas and waterfront spots around the Great Salt Pond give you front row seats as the sun drops behind the mainland, with boats and masts in the foreground. Grab a waterfront drink and stay for it.
Sandy Point and the North Lighthouse. Out at the island’s wild northern tip, the long sand spit and the granite North Lighthouse make a dramatic, lonely foreground for a wide open sky. It’s a ride to get out there, and the reward is one of the most uncrowded sunsets on the island.
The west shore beaches. The quieter beaches along the west side catch the sun going down over the water: fewer people, big sky, the sound of the waves. Find them in our local’s secret beach guide and secret beaches.
Mohegan Bluffs (for the afterglow). The bluffs face south, so it’s not a true into the sun sunset, but the high vantage and the way the late light hits the Southeast Lighthouse and the cliffs is spectacular in its own right, and the post sunset afterglow over the Atlantic is gorgeous. (Full details in the Mohegan Bluffs guide.)
Old Harbor at golden hour. Even on the sunrise side, the half hour before sunset bathes the Victorian hotels and Water Street in warm gold. Great for town and people shots while everyone else is chasing the horizon. And a mudslide at Ballard’s as the light fades is a fine way to toast the day.
The Most Photogenic Spots on Block Island
If you’re carrying a camera (or just a phone and good intentions), these are the shots the island is known for:
- The Southeast Lighthouse on the bluffs, the signature Block Island image. Best in morning light or late afternoon gold. See the dedicated Southeast Lighthouse guide.
- Mohegan Bluffs from the staircase, the cliffs, the wild beach, the long drop to the Atlantic.
- The North Lighthouse at Sandy Point, stark, remote, beautiful, especially at sunset.
- Old Harbor’s skyline from the ferry, the Victorian hotels rising as you arrive or leave. Have your camera ready on the ferry.
- Boats on the Great Salt Pond, masts and reflections at golden hour.
- Mansion Beach, wide, dramatic, and gorgeous in soft light. See the Mansion Beach guide.
Golden Hour Tips
- Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. The best color often comes just after the sun dips. Don’t pack up at sunset, wait for the afterglow.
- Check the sunset time for your date and work backward. In midsummer the sun sets late (past 8 p.m.); in fall it’s much earlier.
- Bring a layer. The wind picks up and the temperature drops the moment the sun’s gone. (Your packing list has you covered.)
- Bike there, but mind the ride home. Riding back from Sandy Point or the bluffs in the dark is no fun, so bring a light or plan a taxi. (See getting around.)
- Low light, low ISO tricks: steady your phone on a railing or rock, tap to expose for the sky, and shoot a few frames as the color shifts.
Make It the End of a Perfect Day
The ideal Block Island evening: a full day of beaches and bluffs, an early dinner, then drift west to the Great Salt Pond or out to Sandy Point for the show, and finish with a nightcap back in town. Slot it into our perfect weekend itinerary and let the island close the day for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to watch the sunset on Block Island?
The west facing side: New Harbor and the Great Salt Pond for easy access with boats in the foreground, or Sandy Point and the North Lighthouse for a wild, uncrowded view. The west shore beaches are also excellent.
Can you see the sunset from Mohegan Bluffs?
The bluffs face south, so it’s not a direct into the water sunset, but the high vantage and the afterglow over the Atlantic are stunning, and the late light on the Southeast Lighthouse is beautiful.
What are the best photo spots on Block Island?
The Southeast Lighthouse, Mohegan Bluffs, the North Lighthouse at Sandy Point, Old Harbor’s skyline from the ferry, the boats on the Great Salt Pond, and Mansion Beach.
Which side of Block Island faces the sunset?
The west and north sides face the sunset over the Great Salt Pond and the water toward the mainland. The east side (Old Harbor, Town Beach) faces the Atlantic and is best for sunrise.
What time is sunset on Block Island?
It varies by season, past 8 p.m. in midsummer, much earlier in fall and winter. Check the sunset time for your specific date and arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
