Accessing Nuka Island

• Nuka Island can be accessed by vessel or aircraft from Homer and Seward. Float planes from Lake Beluga in Homer provide quickest access to Nuka Island, Petrof Lake, Port Dick and the Nuka Bay area.
• Vessel drop offs and pick ups are usually arranged out of Seward, Alaska. For kayaking tour groups this requires a small freight carrier or charter vessel. I recommend using ALASKA SALTWATER LODGE and WEATHER PERMITTING WATER TAXI SERVICE from Seward. It is 75 nautical miles from Seward to Home Cove at Nuka Island.
• The KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK web site provides good information for the western side of the state park, but little information about Nuka Island.
• Alaska Division of Natural Resources: KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK and KACHEMAK BAY STATE WILDERNESS PARK (MAP)

Kayaking Destinations: Nuka Island

"excerpts from Chapter 21: Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords: Chapter 21 Nuka Island & Nuka Passage"

• Home Cove: "The best camping area in Home Cove is located at the cove’s northeastern head. A low spit with a conspicuous ghost forest stands out on the west side of a shallow tidal inlet. The spit’s beach area has a collection of sandstone and assorted rocks. More than a dozen culturally modified trees (suggesting Native use) stand out on the grassy spit."

• PETES COVE: "Once the home (1921-1961) and headquarters of Pete and Josephine Sather's fox farm operation. At the head of Pete’s Cove, adjacent to the main cabin, is a stream and tidal inlet, which can be explored by kayak at high water. Good hiking opportunities exist at the head. (PETES COVE MAP)

• MIKES BAY: "At the head of Mike’s Bay are a choice of picturesque camping spots. One site is located at the conspicuous haulout beach, near the mouth of the east inlet. Note that this tiny tidal inlet goes dry at low water. At the head of the adjacent north-facing inlet, hikers can bushwhack along the stream, approximately three-quarters mile to a large mountain lake surrounded by towering peaks." (MIKES BAY MAP)

• BERGER BAY : "Two alternative camping areas are worth mentioning. One area is located at the bay’s head, where a choice of haulout beaches and potential camping sites lie along the shore. The second area is in a tiny north-facing indentation along the south shore, one-half mile northeast of the bay’s south entrance point. The remains of another Sather fox shed sits atop the beach. (BERGER BAY MAP)

• South Bay: "This southerly exposed bay has one of the finest camp sites on Nuka Island. This beautiful camp spot is on a hillside bluff adjacent to the prominent stream at the bay's head. Constant surf hitting the barrier beach makes it nearly impossible to land on, but a short, partially hidden landing beach lies on the south side of the stream mouth. Above the pocket beach are the remains of several old hunting camps and a hundred awesome vistas. A tiny hillside stream supplies fresh water. A conspicuously large culturally modified tree sits alongside the stream. Good hiking terrain lies along the bluff. Truly one of the wildest camping destinations on the Kenai Fjords seacoast.