Keats Island (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keats Island
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Keats Island (centre) from the BC Ferry
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Howe Sound |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
| • Land | 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 242 m (795 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 604, 778 |
Keats Island is a beautiful island in Howe Sound, a large body of water near the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a place where about eighty people live all year round, but many more visit during the warmer months. This island is known for its quiet forests and lovely beaches, making it a popular spot for summer getaways.
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Where is Keats Island Located?
Keats Island is one of the bigger islands in Howe Sound. You can find it just off the coast from a town called Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. It's also directly west of another island called Bowen Island. Keats Island is part of a larger area known as West Howe Sound, which is managed by the Sunshine Coast Regional District in British Columbia.
What Does Keats Island Look Like?
Most of Keats Island is covered in thick forests. There are only a few open fields. All around the island, you'll find many different beaches. One special spot is a large rocky area called Salmon Rock, located at the island's southwest tip.
The History of Keats Island
The original name for Keats Island, given by the Indigenous people, is Lheḵ’tínes.
How Did Keats Island Get its Name?
Many places in Howe Sound were named by a British explorer named George Henry Richards. He mapped the coast of British Columbia between 1857 and 1862. Keats Island was named after Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, who was a famous British Admiral.
Admiral Keats was a brave leader who served under another very famous admiral, Horatio Nelson. He was well-known for sailing his ship, the HMS Superb, through a blockade at Gibraltar in 1801 during the Napoleonic Wars. Later, in 1813, Admiral Keats also served as a governor for the island of Newfoundland. Keats Island is special because it's the only large island in Howe Sound named after an officer who wasn't at the Battle of Trafalgar, even though he was already famous for his actions in another battle, the Second Battle of Algeciras.
Life on Keats Island
Most of the homes on Keats Island are summer cabins, meaning people usually visit them for holidays. However, about 40 people live on the island all year long. For shopping and other services, most residents travel to Gibsons, which is the closest town with stores and other facilities.
Communities and Settlements on Keats Island
The main communities on Keats Island are found near the two public docks.
- Keats Landing is on the west side of the island. From here, you can see Gibsons and the water channel that separates the island from the mainland.
- Eastbourne is a larger community located on the southeast shore.
- Plumper Cove stretches along the west shore, from Freeman's Bluff to Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park.
- Melody Point is at the northwest tip of the island, facing Langdale on the mainland.
Camps and Retreats on Keats Island
Keats Island is home to two well-known camps:
- Keats Camps is a Baptist summer camp that started in 1926. It's built on what used to be an orchard and covers a large area of 93 hectares. The community of Keats Landing grew up around this camp.
- Barnabas Family Ministries is another camp and retreat center. It's located on the north side of the island and covers 64 hectares. This land was once a farm known as "Corky's Farm" before Barnabas took it over.
How to Get to Keats Island
Getting to Keats Island is an adventure!
Ferry and Water Taxi Options
Most visitors start their journey by taking a BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) to the Langdale Ferry Terminal on the Sunshine Coast. From Langdale, you can catch a special ferry for foot passengers that serves Keats Island and nearby Gambier Island. You can also get to Keats Island by water taxi from Gibsons or Horseshoe Bay. For many years, the ferry "Dogwood Princess" served Keats Island from Langdale, but now the ferry "Stormaway" takes its place.
Getting Around the Island
Once you're on Keats Island, you'll find a few rough roads that connect different spots. However, not many cars are used on the island. Most homes and properties can only be reached by boat, making the island feel very peaceful and connected to the water.
Things to Do on Keats Island
One of the most popular places to visit on Keats Island is Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park. This is one of the oldest marine parks in British Columbia. It's a favorite spot for boaters from nearby Gibsons and Vancouver to spend the night. It's a great place to explore nature and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
