There are many remote spots in Alaska, some are more isolated than others. Life is different in these communities than it is in the big cities. Neighbors become family and a way of life is uniquely crafted by the residents. Halibut Cove is a community that has revived itself from a huge setback and now is a thriving place full of artists and fisherman.
Please note, The Saltry Restaurant is temporarily closed.
The community of Halibut Cove lies on a protected stretch of water called The Narrows. It runs between the south shore of Kachemak Bay and Ismailof Island. It is on the Kenai Peninsula and you will find that many of the buildings sit on pilings.
The community is a little gem tucked away on the edge of Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska's very first state park. Mountains, glaciers, forests, coastline, and ocean form the 400,000 acres of the incredible park.
Halibut Cove welcomes many people each year as they come to visit the area, but at the same time, the community is very close knit and enjoys the paradise that they call home.
At the 2010 census, there were only 75 residents of this coastal community. It's hard to believe that from 1911 to 1928, this was once a booming town with over 1000 residents that supported the large herring industry.
By 1928, the herring industry collapsed and Halibut Cove became nothing more than a skeleton of its former self. Only a few hearty residents remained and most of the town was dismantled so lumber could be used in building the growing village of Homer across the bay.
In the late 1960's Clem and Diana Tillion, who had moved to the cove in 1948, began the businesses of a ferry running between Homer and Halibut Cove and an art gallery. This attracted new residents to give life to the lonely coastal spot.
There is also a bustling artists community within Halibut Cove. You will find people who work with a variety of mediums and much of the art is on display at the local gallery, The Experience.
Not only do humans call this picturesque spot their home, many animals like otters, birds, horses, fish, and more are content to live within the waters, forests, and air of the cove. The community even has a resident seal named Spot.
The Saltry Restaurant made its appearance in the cove in 1984, and has drawn customers who arrive by ferry from across the bay just to dine on the exquisite food.
There are no cars, or roads for that matter, in Halibut Cove. To get around you must walk, boat, or ride an atv to your destination. Most of the residents own boats and use them to get from here to there within the cove.
West Ismailof Island Light is a fixture in the community as it sits above a geological natural arch. The scenery in this area is downright breathtaking and the locals never take it or their little slice of paradise for granted.
Have you ever been to visit Halibut Cove? Did you stroll through the art gallery or have a meal at The Saltry Restaurant? Or is this spot still lingering on your bucket list of places to visit? Could you imagine living in a remote community like this? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
If you enjoy checking out the remote places in Alaska, you will want to read about this amazing hidden spot.
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