Approximate travel time from Portland: 30-45 minutes one-way (trip times vary based upon route and cargo volume)
Diamond Cove, on Great Diamond Island, is Maine’s premier private island community. Visitors are welcome to walk along Diamond Avenue to access the restaurants (within 50 yards of the ferry stop at Diamond Cove) and lodging facilities, but they are not allowed to walk through the private property, parade ground, parks, beaches, or private roads or use any of the amenities within this community without an escort.
For more information on Diamond Cove, please click here
Ferry Schedule
History of Diamond Cove
The heart of Diamond Cove is Fort McKinley, designed to defend Portland Harbor during the Spanish-American War. Built between 1891 and 1907, Fort McKinley housed more than 1,000 soldiers in brick barracks and Queen Anne-style officers’ quarters surrounding a stately parade ground. The fort was retired from active service in 1945.
Historic Fort McKinley has been restored to its original elegance and is now is home to beautiful residences. Barracks and Officer’s Quarters have become gracious homes with slate roofs, wooden porches, grand staircases and fireplaces. The former Quartermaster’s storehouse is now home to Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, a 5-star restaurant operated seasonally. Other historic buildings house Diamond Cove General Store, Art Gallery, and Museum. Diamond Cove is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and every effort is made to preserve its architectural integrity. No gas powered vehicles are allowed on Diamond Cove except for maintenance vehicles. Electric golf carts are allowed.
Things to Do at Diamond Cove
Diamond’s Edge Restaurant
Diamond Cove is home to Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, a five star restaurant operated seasonally by a talented local restaurant company. A rustic, yet elegant fine dining restaurant, Diamond’s Edge focuses on local fare and fresh seafood, serving brunch, lunch and dinner, with a bar menu and a raw bar onsite. The restaurant is also available for weddings, family reunions, and corporate events. The restaurant is open from late May through late September. During the summer months reservations are recommended. Please call 207-766-5850 for more information.
Inn at Diamond Cove
The Inn at Diamond Cove opened July 17, 2015 after a $12 million dollar renovation. House in the historic military base, Fort McKinley, the Inn is built in former soldiers’ barrack and retains much of the barracks’ architectural integrity with large windows and high ceilings. The Inn at Diamond Cove offers comfortable and classic rooms, many with separate sitting rooms, kitchenettes and balconies overlooking the heated in ground pool and cabana. Guests at the Inn spend time relaxing poolside, exploring the island’s may trails, bicycling, playing tennis or simply sitting with a view of the ocean and a great book in hand.
Marina
A full-service marina with deep water slips for large sailboats and motor boats. Call 207-766-5850 for information.
Crown Jewel Restaurant
Hop on a boat, put a few miles of salt water behind you and escape to Crown Jewel on Diamond Cove.
We are a retreat from the ordinary, tucked away on a tiny island in Casco Bay.
We are here to celebrate summer.
Crown Jewel is open from 11:30am to 10pm, serving small plates of elevated seafood classics. Our aim is to always be excellent, creative, and casual — never stuffy. With plenty of seats at the bar, traditional table seating, and room for enjoying beverages on our wrap-around porch, we are prepared to serve any crowd with a laid back atmosphere that you can only get on an unbridged island. When you’re here, you leave real time and the real world behind. SO — come get your swizzle on and flamingle with us all summer long!
Fort McKinley Museum
The museum displays artifacts and photographs from the historic Fort McKinley. Historic tours are available by reservation only.
Vacation Rentals
Diamond Cove is unsurpassed as a vacation retreat. A small number of privately owned residences are available for rent. For more information please visit www.GreatDiamondRentals.com or call 207-766-3377.
Crown Jewel
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Phone: (207) 464-2829
www.crownjewelportland.com
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Celebrating the best of summer on an unbridged island.
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Diamond’s Edge Marina
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Phone: (207) 766-5850
www.diamondcove.com/amenities/marina/
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Whether you are planning dinner at Diamond’s Edge Restaurant, a day trip to Great Diamond Island or an overnight stay, if you are boating in you will need to dock at the Diamond’s Edge Marina. The marina is at the northern edge of the island and is part of the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant complex.
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Diamond’s Edge Restaurant & Marina
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Phone: (207) 766-5850
www.diamondsedgerestaurantandmarina.com
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Join us on Great Diamond Island at the water’s edge for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Here you’ll find more to enjoy than just the spectacular view overlooking the cove. Diamond’s Edge Restaurant celebrates the bounty of Maine’s sea and shore with a tantalizing menu of creative and artfully prepared dishes. Settle in for a memorable lunch or dinner in our dining room or deck, enjoy al fresco dining on the lawn, or kick back with a cocktail or lighter fare at our bar.
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Fort McKinley Museum
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fortmckinleymuseum.weebly.com
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The museum offers historical presentations, tours, hosts visiting authors, and offers movie screenings. The museum is located on the left as you walk up Diamond Avenue – Approx 100 yds from the ferry stop.
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Great Diamond Rentals
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Phone: (207) 233-0033
https://www.greatdiamondrentals.com/
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Our homes available for rent on Great Diamond Island are located within Diamond Cove. Diamond Cove is the island’s small private residential community. These homes have been restored and renovated from the remnants of Historic Fort McKinley. The houses have become gracious homes with slate roofs, wooden porches, grand staircases, and fireplaces. All the rental properties have outdoor living space with either covered porches or private patios. With its spectacular sunsets, sheltered beaches, and acres of old-growth forest, this unique and historic location offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience the tranquility of Maine Island Living.
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Inn at Diamond Cove
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Phone: (207) 805-9836
www.innatdiamondcove.com
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The Inn at Diamond Cove is a tranquil destination that provides guests with a peaceful and relaxing stay. Constructed during the 1890’s Fort McKinley’s was part of the country’s coastal defense system to protect Portland’s Harbor and Casco Bay. The Inn is housed in Fort McKinley’s former Barracks and overlooks the former parade grounds.
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Maine Island Yoga
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www.facebook.com/MaineIslandYoga
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The Store at Elwell Hall
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www.facebook.com/TheStoreAtElwellHall
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Our primary goal is to serve our community as a gathering place.
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