Kayaking Nuka Island

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

"The sheltered waters in upper Nuka Passage and the western shore of NUKA ISLAND (Map) provide some of the best wilderness kayaking in the Kenai Fjords. Here, a chain of shallow coves and wooded islands stretch all the way from Hardover point to Nuka Point. Both MIKES BAY AND BERGER BAY are two of the best camping and kayaking destinations on Nuka Island. Somewhat harder to find is the hidden entrance to Petes Cove. "

• Petes Cove

"The entrance to Pete’s Cove is 0.5 miles south of the Fox Shed Anchorage. Small vessels should approach the channel entrance from the south end of the islands. Don't try to cut through the islands. A narrow channel runs between Nuka Island’s shore and the adjacent offshore islands. The route into Pete’s Cove is mid-channel and not difficult, but you must pass between a pair of rock islets to reach the anchorage near the dock ruins. Here, the remnants of a bulldozer, shop, and cabin stand out along the peninsula’s shore. The small anchorage adjacent to the cabin is 3 fathoms deep."

• Pete and Josephine Sather

"Pete worked hard and lived hard. Stories describe Pete’s physical appearance as “extremely rustic.” He was known to seldom change clothes. His various boats had two things in common: they all were in poor condition, and they all smelled like rotten fish. On the other hand, Josephine was known to be fastidiously clean, and she disliked Pete and his foul-smelling fishing friends stinking up her home. Whenever Pete came back from an extended fishing trip Josephine, insisted that Pete and crew take a cold shower outside before stepping across the threshold—a tradition enforced in summer and winter!"