From resort getaway to retirement community to incorporated city, Diamondhead is a town with an unusual history. But one thing has stayed the same: Diamondhead is a peaceful escape from the bright lights of nearby Bay St. Louis and New Orleans.
Visitors will immediately pick up on Diamondhead’s Hawaiian influences, from street names to house styles that evoke the town’s origins as a resort destination. That history means Diamondhead has excellent facilities and spaces for outdoor activities like golfing, tennis, and fishing.
Whether you prefer classy restaurants or casual venues, relaxation is the word in Diamondhead. The scenic Gulf Coast community is small but friendly, coming together for annual competitions and events and meeting up for rounds of pool at the local bars.
There are a few short-term lodging options in Diamondhead, including a hotel on both the North and South sides.
Diamondhead is designed and maintained with the great outdoors in mind. There's no shortage of things to do, from playing sports to fishing and boating.
With several high-quality sports facilities at The Club at Diamondhead, staying in your house or hotel isn’t an option. The Club has two championship-level, 18-hole golf courses that are lush and well-maintained for a smooth game. You also have your pick of nine hydro clay tennis courts and two pickleball courts at The Tennis Club, which is right next door.
In Diamondhead, you also have your pick of four private pools. The largest, East Rec, even has five Olympic swimming lanes. And if you're up for some sports, there's a basketball court, baseball field, volleyball court, and playground on the same grounds.
Diamondhead has many excellent opportunities to enjoy fishing, boating, or just soaking in the beauty of nature on Bay St. Louis and the surrounding bayous. Make the most of the wonderful weather at the freshwater Twin Lakes, where you can fish, hike, or play disk golf.
Waterfowl gather on the lakes, making the area fantastic for birdwatching. Just be sure to stop your car when the daily caravan of ducks crosses the road.
When it comes to the backwater canals, don’t let the Rotten Bayou’s name mislead you. These gorgeous waters are rich with foliage and wildlife. Head to the newly-renovated kayak launch and paddle inland or down to the bay. Most days, you'll catch sight of the area’s graceful blue herons or ospreys.
For those who want to ski or enter the Gulf, the Diamondhead Marina provides boat slips and numerous docks. You can pick up some live bait for your fishing trip or rent kayaks there.
About twenty minutes away from Diamondhead, the INFINITY Space Center is a must-see for any trip to the area. This museum features engaging exhibits that teach visitors about the history and science of Earth and space exploration, from the oceans to the stars.
INFINITY’s exhibits showcase incredible artifacts recovered from NASA missions, and you can check out educational films and live science demonstrations at its two theaters.
Visitors to Diamondhead have limited traditional lodging options. But while the city only hosts a few hotels, Airbnb and VRBO have plenty of properties available for rent (some even right on the golf course, routinely under $100).
The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites and Ramada by Wyndham serve visitors at different prices and offer quick access to the Diamondhead Marina. Both hotels also welcome pets, so you don’t have to leave Fido at home.
Under new ownership, the Ramada has been completely renovated (much to the delight of Diamondhead residents). And it's right in the middle of Diamondhead's business district.
If you're looking for more intimate accommodations, vacation rental marketplaces are active in the area. Airbnb and VRBO operate in the city limits, and affordable options are always available.
Diamondhead features both upscale eateries and casual dining options. So you can relax in the environment that best suits your personality.
The town’s premier restaurants are at The Club at Diamondhead. The first is The Oak Room, a sophisticated but low-key affair with a dinner menu of gourmet Southern dishes like 18-hour braised short ribs with black truffles and gouda grits.
The Oak Room also has an equally sumptuous breakfast and brunch menu so that you can get your morning off to the right start.
The Club’s other restaurant is the Latitude 30 Patio and Grill, where you can enjoy lighter fare like wraps and sandwiches on the patio. Latitude also offers elevated dishes, like their Wagyu Bacon Burger.
Diamondhead prioritizes luxury, but you can still get a fantastic meal on a lower budget (compared to other MS Gulf Coast eats).
Dan’s Poboys and Seafood is exactly what it sounds like: a locally-owned restaurant where you can chow down on a crispy catfish po’boy or dig into a plate of cheesy shrimp pasta. For a meal that’s cheap but oh-so-flavorful, this is the spot.
If you’re looking for delicious Cajun food, The Camphouse at Diamondhead has all you could ever want. From blackened Redfish to shrimp and grits, The Camphouse makes full use of the area’s seafood offerings.
Dining on the second level of The Camphouse also gives you a chance to take in the incredible view of the Diamondhead Marina.
Diamondhead hosts several notable competitions and other annual events that appeal to adults and kids alike. In addition to annual events, there's a weekly farmer's market sale, and semi-regular arts and crafts shows.
The annual competitions in Diamondhead show off the community’s love of food, fishing, and fun.
If you have any young anglers in your family, the Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo at Twin Lakes is the perfect opportunity for them to build their skill and make some friends along the way. Tons of kids attend. The rodeo coordinators stock the lakes beforehand, so there will be plenty of fish to go around.
The Diamondhead Fall Festival & BBQ Competition is another great family event. Take in the live music while you judge the delicious barbeque made by teams from Mississippi and other states. The festival also features a kids' zone where kids can play all day.
Despite the Diamondhead’s small size and relaxed pace, the community knows how to throw a party. The yearly Mardi Gras parade begins at noon, and the krewes regularly toss stuffed toys and candy, making it the perfect parade for kids.
Diamondhead is also home to many local clubs, so whether you want to brush up on your bridge, play some Texas Hold 'Em, or learn to line dance, you will find a group of like-minded folks.
For example, the Diamondhead Wine Club regularly hosts tastings at the Diamondhead Country Club, which newcomers are welcome to join.
Forget your worries and live in the moment at one of Diamondhead’s inviting neighborhood bars. These bars range from traditional dives to lively sports pubs.
A quick walk from Diamondhead’s hotels, the Red Zone is a restaurant and bar with a welcoming atmosphere. They have an extensive menu with kids’ options, so everyone can come along and watch the game or participate in the Red Zone’s regular trivia or karaoke nights.
For a fun, beachside vibe, head to Tiki Bay Daiquiris. Besides their namesake, they offer a variety of other mixed drinks, and they have a jukebox to help you set the perfect mood. The Camphouse is also a popular late-night spot and frequently has live music.
If you’re looking for a faster pace, head down Bay St. Louis' livewire bar scene that is downtown. Alternatively, there's always a good time to be had at the many table games in the Hollywood Casino and Resort.
Diamondhead had a population of 9,440 in 2021. The population had been on the decline for several years until 2019, when it shot up by about 1,500 people. It’s fallen slightly again, but don’t expect any more sudden changes.
In 2024, properties are becoming harder to come by, and inventory is low. Land is also a hot commodity in Diamondhead.
The median home sale price in Diamondhead is $249,900. That number wavered between $200-$250k during 2022, with some unexpected dives and peaks from month to month.
This increase is part of a generally rising trend in home prices over the last few years. Unfortunately, people looking to sell their homes in Diamondhead are few and far between. The current inventory is quite low compared to other nearby cities.
The initial plans for Diamondhead drew inspiration from Hawaii. The name comes from Diamond Head, a volcanic cone in Oahu—and Hawaiian architectural features became a founding tradition for the town.
You can see Diamondhead’s inspiration in steeply pitched and sloped roofs and wraparound verandas (called lānai in Hawaii), especially in the town’s older buildings. Since plantations influenced much of the architecture in Hawaii, these features also meld well with typical Southern home styles.
Diamondhead is considered part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area and a reasonable 10-minute commute to Bay St. Louis. For low-key coastal living, The Head is a popular, sensible choice.
Diamondhead's unique geography makes it withdrawn from the commotion of larger cities like Gulfport and Biloxi, and its lower home prices are attractive compared to the pricey real estate in towns like Bay St. Louis.
For a picturesque suburban setting, consider settling down in one of the existing homes in Diamondhead. You can just as easily find a cozy, private family home as a palatial mansion.
