Location: Great Diamond Island, Portland & Casco Bay, Maine, USA (30 minute ferry ride to Portland, Maine's largest city.)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
You are invited to experience life on an island off the coast of Maine, an island without cars. Embrace the comfort and charm of another era in a historically significant restored brick home in a century-old fort listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Diamond Cove, a 193 acre residential and vacation community on Great Diamond Island, in Casco Bay, two miles by ferry from Portland, is a diamond in the rough.
The natural beauty of the island is, in itself, enough to recommend Diamond Cove for your vacation escape. Our beaches abound with tidal pools and sea glass, even shards of crockery from the fort's heyday. Exploring miles of walking trails through the island's old growth forest, you may encounter our resident moose, or a wandering family of deer. And hiking along the water's edge, you'll sight herons and osprey, perhaps a few seals. Migrating birds stop over at the freshwater ice pond, lobstermen haul their traps in the cove, and the dock is a fine spot for fishing. Yet, almost incongruously, at the center of this splendid retreat, rise stately brick residences.
The fort's weathered brick buildings - officers' row, the barracks, even the bakery and the jail - have been carefully restored as private homes. Diamond Cove provides such amenities as a gourmet restaurant, tennis courts, a heated outdoor pool, a general store, a marina, even the original gymnasium and bowling alley, all within walking distance. We also have five secluded beaches, a moon garden, and a playground. With no private automobiles, enjoy the peace and magic of island living, combined with the beauty of a bygone era.
The rich history and grand architecture are fascinating components of the island. Diamond Cove was built at the turn of the last century as a military stronghold, then called Fort McKinley. It served as coastal headquarters for the defense of Portland Harbor during the Spanish-American War. More than 1,000 soldiers lived in handsome brick barracks and Queen Anne-style officers' quarters surrounding the spacious parade ground. Fort McKinley was retired from active service in 1945, however, and stood vacant for over 40 years. Today, Diamond Cove has been restored to its former grand elegance. What must once have been a coveted assignment for a soldier is now a unique, family-oriented residential community.
If you would like to share the experience of living for a time at Diamond Cove, please call for information about our three bedroom townhouse.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: in the unit
- Dryer: in the unit
- Linens Provided
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed (2)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Shared Pool: heated pool
- Pool Table
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: two covered porches and brick patio
- View/Location
- Ocean View: Homes do not have ocean views, but are within a few hundred feet of the shore, and the ocean can be seen from all over the island.
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Private porches, heated pool, tennis courts, lobsters delivered to your door, five private beaches, gourmet restaurant, miles of nature trails, pond, playground, general store, day spa, fitness room, indoor basketball court, big-screen TV room, croquet, badminton, restored duckpin bowling alley, washer and dryer, no smoking except outdoors
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Summer .................... $2200/week
Off Season .. $350/night .. $1900/week
SPECIAL OFFER:
Ask about discounts and promotions!
PLUS FREE DEPARTURE CLEANING!
(Please mention this offer when making your reservation.)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1994
I took part in the original restoration and transformation of Diamond Cove from an abandoned fort to a fabulous family vacation spot. My business, Great Diamond Rentals, has offered vacation rentals at Diamond Cove since 2002.
Why the Owner Chose Great Diamond Island
Diamond Cove's location couldn't be better . . . we're an island off the coast of Maine, unconnected to the mainland and all its concerns. We feel remote from the rest of the world. But actually, we're quite close and convenient. Just a short ferry ride from Portland, with its waterfront, museums, restaurants, and easy flight connections; and it's only a two-hour drive to Boston, or twenty minutes to Freeport and L. L. Bean.
The Unique Benefits of this House
Our island is a joy, for residents and visitors alike. We love the slowed down pace of life on an island without cars. We explore the beaches to see what the tide has brought in, we walk the forest trails watching for deer and eagles, we relax on our porches with books or neighbors. In livelier moments, we go for bike rides, bowl a few frames at the restored duckpin bowling alley, take a dip in the heated pool, play a game of tennis, or wander down to the general store for an ice cream cone. And when we want to really pamper ourselves, we make a dinner reservation at Diamond's Edge Restaurant or Nine Stones Day Spa. Diamond Cove is a haven, where families gather year after year to relax and reconnect.
Property Photos
- Townhouse - Portland/Casco Bay, ME - Maine Vacation Home - Portland Getaway!
- Pool - Portland/Casco Bay, ME - Maine Vacation Home - Portland Getaway!
- Aerial View - Portland/Casco Bay, ME - Maine Vacation Home - Portland Getaway!
- Living Room
- Kitchen
- Bedroom
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #12285
There have been 33059 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2004.
This listing was first published here in 2002.
Date last modified - November 25, 2009
