Homer

The "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" at the end of the Kenai Peninsula road, where the Homer Spit juts into Kachemak Bay and floatplanes fly to Katmai and Lake Clark to see brown bears.

Homer lies at the southwestern tip of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula on the north shore of Kachemak Bay, at the end of the Sterling Highway, about 350 km from Anchorage (around a 4.5-hour drive or about an hour by small plane). This small town of about 6,000 year-round residents calls itself the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" and is a bayside community of artists and fishermen.

The best season is Jun–Aug: days last 18–19 hours, temperatures run 10–18°C, and fishing charters, boat tours and bear-viewing flights are all operating. May and September are quieter, but some services aren't running, and in winter most businesses close.

Sightseeing falls into roughly three areas: first, the Homer Spit, where the fishing harbor, seafood restaurants, the Salty Dawg Saloon and the charter docks all line this 7 km sand spit; second, town and its surroundings, with the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, the Pratt Museum, Bishop's Beach and hilltop overlooks; third, across the bay, reached by water taxi or tour boat, for hiking and kayaking in Kachemak Bay State Park, the artists' village of Halibut Cove, birding at Gull Island and the fishing village of Seldovia. Homer is also the main jumping-off point for seeing brown bears at Lake Clark and on the Katmai National Park coast, on day trips by small plane.

Plan on 2–3 days: one for the Spit and town, one for the state park across the bay or a boat tour, and one for bear viewing or fishing (both need to be booked weeks ahead—leave a spare day for weather). The weather here is changeable, so bring a windproof, waterproof jacket even in summer; when hiking in the backcountry, be bear aware and carry bear spray. Sights are spread out, so you'll basically need a car.

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