Explore Diamondhead’s Natural Beauty on Blueway Trails

Aloha Diamondhead - June, 2024

Diamondhead is home to some of the most magnificent and accessible waterways on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This summer would be the perfect time to set out with your kayak, canoe, or paddle board and explore these assets. ​

​- by Anne Pitre 

 
Diamondhead’s two Blueway trails take paddlers through some of the most pristine marsh habitat on the Gulf Coast. The trails are about ten miles long, with an average completion time of three hours. There is perhaps no better way to explore the back bay than from the water.
 
Getting out on the water in a self-propelled watercraft isn’t only about the exercise. You can discover many interesting plants, including arrowroot, cattails, reeds, different grasses, pennywort, aquatic flowers, and more. You will find these unique plant species free-floating on the water's surface, rooted with floating leaves.
 
In addition to observing and identifying a plethora of interesting plant species, you will see some of nature’s most beautiful birds. Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Snowy Egrets, Sandhill Cranes, and Little Blue Herons all can be found in the area. Even more interesting and exciting are nesting birds like Least Terns, Swallow-tailed Kites, Clapper Rails, and Painted Buntings.
 

Happy Trails to You
 
The Rotten Bayou Blueway trailhead is located at the Bayou Drive kayak launch. This nine-mile trail meanders through almost the entire length of Diamondhead on Rotten Bayou and the Jourdan River. Paddlers will enter Cutoff Lake between miles 5 and 6. If one wishes to take a shortcut, they could turn east just past the mile 6 marker, which ends at the Diamondhead Marina. However, if you continue along the trail through Cutoff Bayou, you will enter the St. Louis Bay and cut through the marsh to end at the Diamondhead Marina.
 
At 10.2 miles one way, paddlers will find the Grassy Point Trail a bit more of a challenge. It is listed as having an intermediate level of difficulty by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Blueways Program and takes about three hours to complete. The trailhead is located at the Necaise boat launch on the Wolf River and takes paddlers north to DeLisle Bayou and the St. Louis Bay. The trail follows the northern marshes in open waters along the bay and boasts a beautiful view of the Bay St. Louis bridge. Paddlers will reach mile 10 as they enter Cutoff Bayou, ending at the Diamondhead Marina.
 

Kayak Launches
 
Diamondhead currently has two kayak launches and two more on the way.
 
The Bayou Drive Kayak Launch drops paddlers into the Rotten Bayou Blueway, where they can embark on the nine-mile trail or kayak around the smooth waters of the bayou. There is ample parking at this launch.
 
The Vaught Circle Launch is located at the Diamondhead Marina. This launch also has plenty of parking and provides access to the St. Louis Bay and Paradise Bayou. The Camphouse Restaurant is right next to this launch in case you work up an appetite while paddling!
 
The Montjoy Creek Kayak Launch is a work in progress. Part of Diamondhead’s masterplan includes the construction of a nature trail along part of Montjoy Creek with elevated walkways through the wetlands that will end at a fishing pier and nature observatory. The kayak launch will be located at the end of Banyan Place and will have adjacent parking.
 
The Noma Drive Kayak Launch is a component of the Noma Drive Waterfront Development project. Construction on the launch will begin in July of 2024 and include a boat launch, fishing pier, parking, and restrooms.
 
This summer, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems that Diamondhead has to offer. Whether you’re an avid paddler or a nature enthusiast, Diamondhead's waterways provide an unparalleled exploration and discovery experience. With well-marked Blueway trails, accessible kayak launches, and an abundance of wildlife and plant species to observe, there is something for everyone.

​As you glide through the serene waters, remember to respect the environment and cherish the moments spent in this pristine setting. So grab your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Diamondhead’s natural paradise. Happy paddling!

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