C10 GIBSONS & KEATS ISLAND
Gower Point – Named after Captain Sir Erasmus Gower by Captain Vancouver in 1792. South 800 m (.5 mi) is Chaster Park with a monument reading: “Near this spot, in June, 1792, Captain George Vancouver R.N. camped and gave Gower Point its name.
Shoal Channel – Named because of the large shoal between Keats Island and Gibsons. Very good fishing for coho in the channel.
Steep Bluff – Occupied by some very nice homes which have gorgeous views of Keats Island, Gambier Island and Gibsons Harbour. A small park on the south side of the point.
Gibsons Harbour – A 600 m (2,000 ft) government wharf. Gibsons Yacht Club is located behind the breakwater. No swimming or scuba diving in Gibsons Harbour. The tourist info centre and the Maritime
History Museum are located in Molly’s Lane, up from the government wharf. The museum has hundreds of interesting items reflecting the exciting maritime heritage of the Sunshine Coast.
Gibsons – Named after Royal Navy Lieutenant George Gibson in 1886, an English immigrant. Gibsons was the home of the famous “Beachcombers” T.V. series. Some marine services are available in Gibsons with everything a tourist or shopper would want; boutiques, souvenir shops, clothing stores, restaurants, deli foods and more.
Granthams Landing – A small wharf with the sign “Welcome to Granthams Landing,” is for pick-up and drop-off only. Private floats on both sides of the wharf.
Soames Point – Can marker U57, 300 m (1,000 ft) out from shore, is used to mark the shoal. Some good scuba diving in this area.
Keats Island – Named after Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, captain of the 74 gun ship Superb.
Plumper Cove Marine Park – Enter from Shoal Channel between Observatory Point and northern Shelter Islet. The park provides public float, anchorage, mooring buoys, overnight docking, onshore camping, picnic area, walking trails, pay phone and pebble beaches. It’s busy during the summer. Watch for drying rocks at the end of the government float.
10. Plumper Cove – Named after the H.M.S. Plumper, commanded by Captain Richards. The bay provides lots of good anchorage and shelter. Five-knot speed limit with no waves in the bay area please. Shelter Islets are private property; do not venture between the islets.
11. Home Island – There are drying rocks between Home Island and Keats Island so pass to the outside.
12. Preston Island – A private island with one resident on the south end. Do not venture between the outcrop and shore by Keats Island (to the north). There is a nice bay just east of this outcrop with good anchorage. Good scuba diving on south side of Preston Island.
13. Barfleur Passage - Named after the H.M.S. Barfleur (98 guns) which was captained by Captain Cuthbert Collingwood.
14. Hermit Island – Lots of drying rocks on the northwest side. Extreme care should be taken in this area. Two residents on the island.
15. Popham Island – Private property with one resident on the south part and one resident on Little Popham Island. Just north of the light and on the west side are some drying rocks. You may travel between the islands but be careful. Some good scuba diving off Popham Island.