If you’re craving an off-grid Alaskan escape that’s equal parts wild adventure and peaceful, wine-on-the-deck kind of vibes, Halibut Cove is your spot. Once a thriving herring cannery town; today, Halibut Cove caters to adventure enthusiasts, bohemian travelers, artists, commercial fisherman and relaxation seekers.
Halibut Cove, Alaska—across Kachemak Bay from Homer, Alaska—sits on and around Ismailof Island, a place Indigenous peoples used for millennia, later mapped by U.S. surveyor William Healey Dall in 1880 and named for Russian navigator Gerasim Izmailov. The cove boomed in the 1910s and 1920s when rich herring runs supported dozens of salteries and more than a thousand seasonal workers, then emptied after overfishing collapsed the fishery. In 1948 homesteader Clem Tillion and artist Diana Tillion helped revive the hamlet as a fishing-and-arts community, launching a ferry in 1966, opening the Cove Gallery in 1968, and paving the way for today’s low-key tourism anchored by The Saltry. I met the gregarious Clem while we were building our place: he piloted our first crossing, urged us to build a cabin instead of the yurt we’d planned (questionable advice in hindsight), and—well into his 90s—personally helped ferry loads of supplies, a testament to his outsized presence and generosity. With no road access, visitors arrive by water taxi or floatplane to wander wooden boardwalks, visit one of the nation’s only floating post offices, and join a year-round community of roughly thirty residents, where bald eagles skim the morning light, sea otters side-eye from the kelp, and a distant whale might breach on the horizon.
Here’s your 4-day guide to making the most of Halibut Cove with plenty of kayaking, hiking, tide pooling, and snack breaks built in.
Getting There
Transportation to and from Halibut Cove is via Mako’s Water Taxi, departing from Homer. It’s a scenic ride across Kachemak Bay and the perfect way to kick off your off-grid adventure. Don’t forget your camera. This ride sets the tone for everything to come.
Stay Coho Cabana by Homestead Hideaways
Perched above the water with panoramic views of the cove, this is where your soul exhales. Morning coffee? Better on the deck. Evening wine? Even better. Keep your binoculars nearby. Bald eagles, harbor seals, sea otters, loons, and even the occasional orca or humpback love to cruise by.
Day 1: Arrive & Unwind
Welcome to Halibut Cove. Step onto the dock, breathe in the salty air, and resist the urge to check your email. Settle in, grab a cold beer or glass of wine, and kick back on your deck overlooking the cove. This is the main event.
Keep your eyes on the water. You never know when a whale might photobomb your happy hour.
Feeling like dinner should come with a story? Hop in a kayak and paddle to the nearby floating oyster farm stand. Snag some fresh oysters for dinner. Bonus points if you shuck them with a view.
Day 2: Kayak + Hike + Glacier Ice Cocktails
Pro tip: Time your paddle for low tide and grab our included kayak guide. Head out to the Saddle Trail for a tide pooling dream:
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Ochre starfish
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Sunflower stars
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Chitons
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And if you’re really lucky, an octopus 👀
Once you land, hike the 3-mile roundtrip trail to the glacier lake. Want to impress your travel buddy? Bring your favorite whiskey and pour it over some fresh glacial ice. Because when in Alaska.
Feeling extra? Continue the climb to the alpine ridge for views that’ll make your phone scream for a panorama shot.
Cap off the day with a beach campfire at Coho Cabana. Toast marshmallows, sip something strong, and relive your epic glacier day under the stars.
Day 3: Coffee, Postcards & The Saltry
Start the day kayaking around Ismailof Island. Pack a snack or picnic lunch and pull up on Isthmus Beach for a sandy break. From there, head toward the floating Halibut Cove Coffee House (yes, it’s on water) and pop into one of only three floating post offices in the U.S.
📬 Send a postcard just because you can.
Ready for a meal to remember? Stick around for dinner at The Saltry, a legendary farm-to-table restaurant with fresh seafood and a deck that makes time stop. Reservations are recommended. Regret is not.
Day 4: Beach Day at Right Beach
For your final full day, kayak to Right Beach, a sunny spot perfect for picnicking, sunbathing, and wandering the wild shoreline. Comb the beach for treasures, soak up that remote beach energy, and let the wildness of Halibut Cove sink in one last time.
Whether you’re here for the sea creatures or the serenity, Halibut Cove delivers the kind of magic that only Alaska can. Just be warned. You might not want to leave.
Cell Service & Wi-Fi
Yes, you’re off the grid, but not completely. We’ve got strong cell service with AT&T, Verizon, and local carrier GCI, plus Wi-Fi on site that’s strong enough for streaming, Zoom calls, and posting your otter selfies in real time.
What to Pack
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Layers (yes, even in summer. Alaska likes to keep you guessing)
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Rain jacket and waterproof shoes
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Dry bag for kayaking
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Binoculars (you’ll thank us when that orca shows up)
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Trekking poles (helpful on alpine hikes)
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Headlamp or flashlight
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Reusable water bottle
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Swimsuit (for glacier lake bragging rights)
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Marshmallows and your beverage of choice
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Firewood? We’ve got you covered 🔥
