Some people visit Block Island once and move on with their lives.
Other people visit once and spend the next eleven months counting down. They know which beach is theirs. They have opinions about where to get breakfast. They say "the Block" like it's a relative.
This post is for shopping for the second group.
Missing the island is a specific feeling. It's not about stuff. But the right thing on a shelf or a hook by the door helps. Here's what we'd give, and why. (Full disclosure: we make these. We're a small Block Island apparel and gift shop based in Narragansett, and everything is made to order by our print partners.)
Why Block Island sticks with people
It helps to know what they're actually missing.
Block Island is about ten square miles of stone walls, bluffs and ponds, roughly nine miles off the Rhode Island coast. The town is called New Shoreham. Around 1,400 people live there year-round, according to the 2020 census. About 40 percent of the land is set aside for conservation, which is why it still looks the way it does.
There are no traffic lights. You get around by bike, moped, car or foot. The Southeast Lighthouse sits on top of Mohegan Bluffs. The North Light sits at the end of a long sandy walk at Sandy Point. In summer it's busy. In October it goes quiet, and a certain kind of person likes it best then.
So when you're picking a gift, you're picking one of those feelings. The lighthouse. The quiet. The joke about the traffic lights. Pick the one they talk about most.
If they miss the lighthouse
The Southeast Light is the island's most famous landmark. It was built in the 1870s. By the early 1990s, erosion had brought the bluff edge dangerously close, so in 1993 the whole brick building was moved about 300 feet inland. It's a National Historic Landmark now.
Our lighthouse pieces use an old-style engraving of it:
- Southeast Light Engraving Hoodie – Block Island Est. 1661. The big gift. Warm, heavy and made for October ferry decks.
- Southeast Light Mug. The daily reminder. Good for the office, where they need it most.
- 2026 Southeast Light Ornament. Dated, so it marks the year. Great for anyone who had a big moment on the island this summer.
If they miss the quiet
Summer on Block Island is great. The off season is different. Empty beaches, closed shutters, the harbor mostly to itself.
The Off Season Crewneck is for these people. It doesn't shout. It just says you know the island well enough to like it in November.
Pair it with the Est. 1661 Embroidered Dad Hat. 1661 is the year the first English settlers landed on the island. Stitched, low-key and a nice nod to history.
More options in Block Island sweatshirts and Block Island hats.
If they miss the jokes
Every island regular has a few lines they repeat to the mainland. These shirts say them for you.
- No Traffic Lights Tee. The first fact everyone learns about the island, and the one they tell everyone back home.
- Santa Takes the Ferry Tee. Reindeer are a mainland thing.
- Our Deer Don't Fly Sweatshirt. Anyone who's driven the island at dusk knows about the deer.
Browse all Block Island t-shirts or the Christmas collection.
If they miss the beach
Some people's Block Island is one beach. Crescent Beach, which is really several beaches in a row. Or a quiet cove they refuse to name.
The Beach Pass Canvas Tote is for them. It carries towels in July and library books in February. It's also the easiest gift here to wrap.
How to choose
A quick cheat sheet:
| They say… | Get them |
|---|---|
| "We should go back." | 2026 Ornament |
| "It's better in the fall." | Off Season Crewneck |
| "I still think about that lighthouse." | Southeast Light Hoodie or Mug |
| "Did you know there are no traffic lights?" | No Traffic Lights Tee |
| "I need a new beach bag." | Beach Pass Tote |
| Nothing, they just wear the same hat | Est. 1661 Dad Hat |
Still not sure? The gifts collection is our short list of easy wins.
A few honest notes before you order
We want this gift to land, so here's the practical stuff:
- Made to order. Our print partners make each piece after you order it. It takes 2–7 business days before shipping. Nothing is handmade, and nothing is sitting in a warehouse.
- Shipping. US only. $5.95, or free on orders of $50 or more.
- Holidays. Order by Tuesday, December 8 for Christmas.
- Returns. Unworn items within 30 days.
- Sizing. Check the size chart on each product page. Sweatshirts vary by style.
One more idea: give them a reason to go back
The best gift for someone who misses Block Island is probably a trip there. You can't wrap a ferry ticket very well, though. So a lot of people pair a small gift, like the ornament or mug, with a card that says "we're going in June."
If you're planning that trip, look for our Block Island ferry and day-trip guide here on the Journal. It covers where the boats leave from, how long the crossing takes and what to do once you're there.
FAQ
What's a good small Block Island gift? The Southeast Light mug, the 2026 ornament, the Est. 1661 dad hat or the Beach Pass tote. Check product pages for current prices.
Are these official Block Island souvenirs? No. We're an independent Rhode Island shop. We're not affiliated with the town, the lighthouse foundation or any ferry company.
Do you ship to people who live off-island or out of state? Yes, anywhere in the US. Shipping is $5.95, free on orders of $50 or more.
How long does it take to arrive? Production takes 2–7 business days, then shipping time. For Christmas, order by December 8.
Are the designs printed or embroidered? Most apparel is printed. The Est. 1661 dad hat is embroidered. Each product page says which.
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