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Keats
Island
Keats Island is situated in Howe Sound, directly west of Bowen
Island.
The
Community
Most of the community of Keats Island is on the west side of the
island facing Gibsons with a view of Shoal
Channel separating the island from the mainland.
British
Admiral Sir Richard Keats
Keats Island is named after a British Admiral, Sir Richard Goodwin
Keats. Admiral Keats served under Admiral Nelson and is famous for
sailing the HMS Superb through a blockade at Gibraltar in 1801 during
the Napoleonic wars. Admiral Keats is also a former governor of
the Island of Newfoundland serving in 1813.
Gibsons
The small community of Keats Island is made up of summer cabins
with some full-time residents. There are very few services on the
island, with most shopping and required services found in the community
of Gibsons.
BC
Ferries to Keats Island
To get to Keats Island from Gibsons, there is a small-passenger
only BC Ferry run by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Ltd. that services
Keats and Gambier Islands from Langdale on a daily-scheduled basis
plus service from Gibsons based Sunshine Coast Water Taxi.
Mercury
Launch from Horseshoe Bay
There is also a Mercury Launch which operates throughout Howe Sound
including scheduled service from Horseshoe
Bay in West Vancouver to the dock at Eastborne located on the
east side of the island. Gambier Water Taxi also operates from Gibsons
with service to the island on a per-fee basis.
Very
Little Vehicle Traffic
Once you're on Keats Island, there are few roads to walk on where
you get to see most of the island with very little vehicle traffic.
One area that is a must to visit is the beach at Plumper Cove Marine
Provincial Park.
Plumper
Cove Marine Provincial Park
This marine park is located on the north-west side of Keats Island
facing Gibsons. Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park has various
marine facilities available including a wharf and mooring buoys
in the snug harbour. There are a few walk-in camping facilities
available with fire pits and drinking water.
Pebble
Beach
Plumper Cove also has a trail system that is very established offering
you great views of Howe Sound and the town of Gibsons, especially
from Observatory Point. Plumper Cove also has a small pebble beach
offering opportunities for beachcombing, picnicking, kayaking, swimming,
fishing and wildlife viewing.
Stony
Hill
Another place where you can get another view from Keats Island is
the short walk up 202-metres (667-feet) high Stony Hill. The start
of the trail can be found either in Plumper Cove Marine Park or
off Keats Road near the start of Skyline Road.
Sea
Kayaking
Located just south-west of Keats Island is Pasley and Worlcombe
Islands - the site of some excellent sea kayaking. Pasley Island
involves around eight small islands all closely grouped together
with Worlcombe close by. You can leave Keats Island and do a loop
through the islands with a chance to see some wildlife including
bald eagles and seals.
Keats
Camp
Established in 1926, Keats Camp is a Christian-theme summer camp
which has brought joy to the hearts of many throughout the years
of its existence. Situated on around 200 acres of land, Keats Camp
is owned and operated by the Convention of Baptist Churches of BC
which has helped to form and anchor kids for life.
Barnabas
Family Ministries
Also established on Keats Island is the Barnabas Family Ministries,
a non-profit interdenominational Christian ministry used to help
strengthen family and emotional values. Located on 157 acres of
beautiful farmland, Barnabas Family Ministries has the ideal setting
to achieve this life-long spirituality.
Government
Docks
If you happen to be boating in the area, there are a couple of government
dock areas; one located near Plumper Cove behind the Shelter Islets,
the other at Eastborne. The rest of the docks on Keats Island are
under private ownership.
Information
on Keats Island
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