Great Diamond Island
great diamond island
Private Island Community
For visitors set on finding the Maine experience nonpareil, discovering the beautiful welcoming shoreline of a Maine island can be the equivalent of striking gold. A private community that preserves tradition and embraces modern day grandeur, Great Diamond Island answers the call.
A 20-25 minute trip from Portland by ferry, Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay is one of the most picturesque in Maine. This jewel features picnic areas and hiking trails that allow for taking in the island beauty as well as an inn, a 5-star restaurant, and marina. Biking or getting around the island via golf cart is de rigueur– no gas-powered vehicles are allowed.
During their travels, visitors may hear of literary greats that frequented the island such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow or Harriet Beecher Stowe. Or, they may hear of its history as a military base during the 19th century, and note the attention to preserving the architectural integrity of the time.
Diamond Cove is a noteworthy ferry stop at the northeastern side of Great Diamond Island. It is Maine’s premier private island community and the site of the historic Fort McKinley, which has been restored to its original elegance and is now is home to residences. Though visitors are welcome to the restaurant and General Store, escorts are required on private property, and tours of the grounds can be scheduled by reservation.