27 YEARS Living Off-Grid on a Self-Built Island Homestead

Freedom Cove is a rare and very special place. It's a man-made floating island that acts as a homestead, an art installation, and a home to Catherine and Wayne in Tofino, BC, Canada.
The project started with a small float home that was built using wood that had washed ashore after a storm, and since moving into it in 1992, they've gradually added new buildings, greenhouses, and an outdoor dance floor to create a fully off-grid, floating homestead where they can grow most of their own food, earn a living as artists, and reduce their environmental footprint.

They have used as much reclaimed material as possible, including the flotation technology that has been discarded from nearby fish farms over the years.

The site where they chose to settle in was chosen specifically because it had a fresh water source above sea level so they could have gravity fed water, and because the cove provided protection from winter storms.

They use a mix of solar panels, a generator, propane and firewood for their various energy needs, and they have a new microbial wastewater system that will allow them to fully purify their waste. Before that, they had a tank that could be emptied in open water like most boats and vessels do.

Catherine King and Wayne Adams are artists and carvers who make beautiful work and showcase some of it in their floating gallery.

If you'd like to visit Freedom Cove in Tofino, BC, you can book a tour here:

Or you can reach out directly to Catherine and Wayne by email at:

Special thank you to Shane for the good chats and the boat rides!

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives

Photo Credits:
Float house construction photos provided by Catherine and Wayne from Freedom Cove

[terencegarcia]

“We don’t recommend everyone do this. We recommend everyone do their own dream” I dig it!

[AmericasNextTopStyli]

"We live to the rhythms of the moon and the tides out here, not to the rhythms of corporate and business". I absolutely love it. I wish you two many more years living out your dream.

[Baer]

I love the honesty. Many people forget there is a reason people went on grid.
Off grid living is hard work and many people that live off grid pretend like it's easy for them

[amyjkr]

The problem is finding a partner with the same passion to create a life like that.

[mrkoala]

This is the type of stuff that should be trending on YouTube.

[neavemadsen]

I yearn for this type of sustainable living and freedom. They both seem so peaceful and content! Beautiful video both insightful and educational!

[ReturnoftheGoddess-motherearth]

May your gardens be honored and grow abundantly ❤️

[ybgy]

"We don't recommend that everyone do this." No proselytizing, no preaching. Self reliance and tolerance at their finest. Thank you Catherine and Wayne for showing us a fine way to live a full life. I'm proud to share this wonderful country of ours with you.

[michaelmerritt]

The way he sits and listens as she speaks reminds me of my grandparents. I can only imagine how much peace they both have.

[mariatavarez]

Just listening to these people talk brings me peace. They are amazing souls and I hope they both live many many more years to enjoy their paradise. I love all the messages in this video!

[ritamariekelley]

I love the "storm damage" education bit, opportunity to learn something better/different. This is what many spend thousands to do on vacation. The work is the culture. One of my most favorite activities was to chop wood. We can live vicariously through you.

[cqdgqlj]

I bet their family members are pumped when they get to spend the week there. It’s like camping with amenities and a free museum all tied into one spot.

[FranklinSninsky]

When people say you need to work or get a job, they mean go to work for society or a corporation, what ever happened to working for yourself and having your job be to maintain your self sustaining compound, I love this dream

[jackodum]

This is the most beautiful home I've seen in my entire life! Congrats on achieving your dream through hard work!

[liankhupboi]

"Sure enough, enough comes in" that is just wow👍 respect👍

[thestig]

When two people with the same goals and similar personalities find each other and nurture each other’s dreams it’s called harmony

[leryuuuuu]

"We lived to the rhythms of the moon and the tides out here, not to the rhythms of corporate and business." Just, wow.

[rexbreyer]

What a truly amazing life. How many of us who live in the system just moving like robots.. I love nature and the water. What a dream to live like this. Incredible

[ST-kuni]

Your wall design and extra heating to minimize condensation and mold is so important. You guys Rock all round. Love this!

[sheldonthegoat]

i loved how they talked abt staying together through being broke and highs and lows and stayed together throughout the struggles