Which Should You Visit?
Both islands share ferry access and wind-swept coastlines, but deliver fundamentally different experiences. Block Island sits 13 miles off Rhode Island, offering weathered New England maritime culture within bicycle range. Victorian hotels overlook dramatic bluffs, while the entire island measures just seven miles long. Kangaroo Island spans 90 miles of South Australian wilderness, where native wildlife roams freely among artisan producers crafting honey, spirits, and cheese. Block Island operates on a human scale—you can bike everywhere in a day and recognize fellow visitors. Kangaroo Island requires a car and multiple days to properly explore its diverse ecosystems, from coastal dunes to dense eucalyptus forests. The choice comes down to intimacy versus wilderness, New England refinement versus Australian rawness, and whether you want an island you can master quickly or one that demands extended exploration.
| Block Island | Kangaroo Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Seven miles long, bikeable in one day, everything within walking distance of town center. | 90 miles long requiring a car, with attractions spread across distinct regions needing 3-5 days minimum. |
| Wildlife | Seabirds, seals, and migratory species visible from coastal paths and beaches. | Native kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and 250 bird species throughout the island's interior and coast. |
| Food Scene | Fresh seafood, New England classics, and seasonal restaurants concentrated in Old Harbor. | Artisan honey, sheep cheese, gin distilleries, and farm-to-table dining scattered across the island. |
| Accommodation Style | Victorian hotels, B&Bs, and rental houses clustered around Old Harbor and New Harbor. | Eco-lodges, farm stays, and luxury retreats positioned for wildlife viewing and landscape access. |
| Access | 45-minute ferry from Point Judith, Rhode Island, seasonal flight from Westerly. | 45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis or 30-minute flight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport. |
| Vibe | weathered shingle architecturebluff-top ocean panoramasbicycle-scale explorationferry-dependent isolation | untamed coastal wildernessartisan food productioneucalyptus-scented bushlandnative wildlife encounters |
Scale
Block Island
Seven miles long, bikeable in one day, everything within walking distance of town center.
Kangaroo Island
90 miles long requiring a car, with attractions spread across distinct regions needing 3-5 days minimum.
Wildlife
Block Island
Seabirds, seals, and migratory species visible from coastal paths and beaches.
Kangaroo Island
Native kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and 250 bird species throughout the island's interior and coast.
Food Scene
Block Island
Fresh seafood, New England classics, and seasonal restaurants concentrated in Old Harbor.
Kangaroo Island
Artisan honey, sheep cheese, gin distilleries, and farm-to-table dining scattered across the island.
Accommodation Style
Block Island
Victorian hotels, B&Bs, and rental houses clustered around Old Harbor and New Harbor.
Kangaroo Island
Eco-lodges, farm stays, and luxury retreats positioned for wildlife viewing and landscape access.
Access
Block Island
45-minute ferry from Point Judith, Rhode Island, seasonal flight from Westerly.
Kangaroo Island
45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis or 30-minute flight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport.
Vibe
Block Island
Kangaroo Island
Rhode Island, United States
South Australia
Block Island's compact size and bike-friendly roads make it easier with kids, while Kangaroo Island offers more wildlife encounters but requires more driving.
Block Island works as a long day trip from the mainland, but Kangaroo Island's size and ferry schedules require at least one overnight.
Block Island offers warmer Atlantic waters and protected coves, while Kangaroo Island's Southern Ocean beaches are dramatic but colder.
Block Island peaks June through September; Kangaroo Island is year-round with spring wildflowers September-November being ideal.
Both are premium destinations, but Block Island's limited season concentrates higher prices into summer months.
If you love both ferry-accessed islands with dramatic coastlines, consider Isle of Skye or Martha's Vineyard for similar remote maritime character.