Cow Cove

Cow Cove includes pretty coastal views, the historic North Light and Settler’s Rock, a monument inscribed with the names of the original English families who settled on Block Island in 1661. About half a mile's hike across the shoreline takes you to the North Light - an iconic granite and iron lighthouse that dates from 1867. The lighthouse features a museum that open weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and daily from late June to mid-September, weather permitting. Past the lighthouse is the Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge, a haven for gulls, swallows, sparrows and more. The pond itself is a serene counterpoint to the crashing waves of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Be careful where you walk here and in the North Light area; the beach is a nesting place for many rare birds. A word of caution: the shoreline is rocky here and the waters from both sides of the island meet, creating strong riptides. This is NOT a place for swimming.