Alaska Cruise Ship Destination Profiles
The Gulf of Alaska is an arm of the Pacific Ocean defined by the curve of the southern coast of Alaska, stretching from the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island in the west to the Alexander Archipelago in the east.
Weather Update
Aletta weakens to Tropical Depression - no threat to land.
Our Home Port is Venice, Florida, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida in Sarasota County.
Maps
Homer (super size map)
State of Alaska
Alaska Regions
Alaska Boroughs
Homer, Alaska
Homer, a bustling artist community and the Halibut Capital of the world, is named for Homer Pennock, a gold mining company promoter, who arrived in 1896 on the Homer Spit and built living quarters for his crew of 50 men.
However, gold mining was never profitable in the area. Homer has long been known as the "halibut fishing capital of the world" and halibut and salmon sport fishing, along with other tourism, commercial fishing, and logging are the dominant industries in the Homer area.
One of Homer's nicknames is "the cosmic hamlet by the sea"; another is "the end of the road". A popular local bumper sticker characterizes the town as "Homer - A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem."
Homer is on the shore of Kachemak Bay on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its most distinguishing feature is the Homer Spit, a narrow 4.5 mile (7 km) long gravel bar that extends into the bay, on which is located the Homer Harbor. Much of the coastline as well as the Homer Spit sank dramatically during the Good Friday Earthquake in March 1964. After the earthquake, very little vegetation was able to survive on the Homer Spit.
Good to Know
Learn about natural hazards common to Alaska
Climate
The peninsula has a coastal climate that is relatively mild, with abundant rainfall. It is one of the few areas in Alaska that allows for agriculture, with a growing season adequate for producing hay and several other crops.
Time Zone
Alaska Standard Time (-4 EST)
Things to do and see
Drive south along the bluffs of Cook Inlet, where sightings of beluga whales and seals are common.
Take an afternoon to explore Homer's historic harbor walk and eclectic art galleries.
Explore the Homer Spit with miles of beaches.
Take a water taxi to Halibut Cove, a quiet paradise tucked away in Kachemak Bay State Park.
