Elfin Bay, AK

Tonight we are in Gung Ho Bay, on the south end of Banks Island, BC.

Tonight's post is about Elfin Cove which we visited after leaving Glacier Bay Park & Preserve. We really enjoyed this place for its character and friendly residents.

elf·in   /ˈelfən/

adjective:

small and delicate, typically with an attractively mischievous or strange charm.

Elfin Cove is an enchanting little spot tucked into a harbour on the eastern edge of the Gulf of Alaska. It is remote and accessed by boat or seaplane.

Elfin cove was founded by commercial troll fishermen in the 1930s. While there are still a few commercial boats here, it has become a popular sport-fishing mecca. Today this tiny harbor is host to half a dozen lodges for the serious saltwater angler chasing salmon, halibut, ling cod and rockfish.

One of several fishing lodges...

... and boats ready to take fishermen and their guides out in the morning.

Elfin Cove has a general store, post office, laundromat, and a tiny museum housed in the old school. A little coffee shop, called Coffee and Crumbs is run by the young fellow who also runs the fuel dock. I asked him if there was a health clinic in the community, to which he answered no, but he was an EMT and helped with medical emergencies. His fourth job is maintaining the diesel generators that power the community.
Wikipedia cites the 2010 census population as being 20. While talking with the owner of the general store, we learned the current full time resident population is seven and will drop to five as two residents will be leaving this winter.

 

When we fueled up Oblio met a new friend, a Golden Retriever, named River.

A second four-legged greeter, named Orlo, made sure to let us know we were welcome in Elfin Cove.

As in other small coastal communities we have visited, there are no roads, only boardwalks.

Aerial views of the community.

 

The boardwalks are wide enough for ATV's.

A fender from a cruise ship dock.