On 22–23 April, "Afridi" took part in an attack on the German-held port of Ostend in Belgium, which took place at the same time as a similar attack on Zeebrugge, with the objective of denying the use of these ports for German surface vessels and submarines. "Afridi" formed part of the escort for the blockships and , which were to be scuttled in the harbour entrance, while monitors bombarded the port with heavy guns. While the attack on Zeebrugge was a partial success, the Ostend part of the operation was a failure, as the blockships missed the entry to the harbour and run aground, so that the port was not blocked.