Plumper Cove Marine

Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park supports diverse coastal wildlife including black-tailed deer, raccoons, and river otters that utilize the island's forests and shorelines. Harbor seals are commonly seen in the waters around the park, hauling out on rocks and beaches. The surrounding waters provide habitat for salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and other fish species, while intertidal zones host crabs, sea stars, anemones, and diverse invertebrate communities. Bird diversity includes bald eagles, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and various seabirds and waterfowl. Forest birds such as varied thrushes, Pacific wrens, and several woodpecker species inhabit the mature coastal forests. Marine mammals occasionally spotted include harbor porpoises, Dall's porpoises, and orcas passing through Howe Sound.

The park's vegetation is dominated by coastal Douglas-fir and western redcedar forests with an understory of salal, Oregon grape, and sword fern characteristic of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. The mature forest provides shade for campsites and creates a pleasant hiking environment along the trail system. Western hemlock and red alder are also common, while the shoreline features salt-tolerant vegetation adapted to marine influence. The forest floor supports diverse mosses, lichens, and seasonal wildflowers including trilliums and false Solomon's seal that bloom in spring. Marine vegetation in the cove includes eelgrass beds and kelp that provide important habitat for juvenile fish and invertebrates. The relatively undisturbed forest demonstrates natural succession patterns and provides important habitat structure with large trees, snags, and coarse woody debris.

Keats Island, like much of Howe Sound, is composed primarily of igneous rocks from the Coast Plutonic Complex, formed by ancient magmatic intrusions. The bedrock consists of granitic rocks that were intruded during the Mesozoic era and subsequently uplifted and eroded to create the present topography. Glaciation during the Pleistocene epoch sculpted the island's form, carving Howe Sound's deep fjord and creating the sheltered cove that defines the park. Glacial deposits including till and outwash sediments mantle bedrock in some areas, providing substrate for forest growth. The pebble beach at Plumper Cove consists of rounded stones shaped by wave action, derived from glacial deposits and weathered bedrock. The surrounding seafloor drops off steeply in places, reflecting the glacially-carved nature of Howe Sound.

The park experiences a mild maritime climate moderated by the Pacific Ocean, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Average temperatures range from 5°C in January to 22°C in July, with freezing temperatures relatively rare. Annual precipitation totals approximately 1,400-1,600mm, falling primarily between October and March as rain. The location within Howe Sound provides some shelter from extreme weather, though strong winds can funnel down the sound, particularly during winter storms. Summer months from June through September are generally dry and pleasant, making this the peak visiting season when the park can be very busy. Fog can develop when warm air moves over cold ocean water, particularly during spring and early summer. Winter weather features frequent rain and occasional snow, with the park remaining accessible year-round though facilities and services are reduced outside the main season.

Keats Island and Howe Sound lie within the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation, who have utilized these waters and islands for thousands of years. The area provided abundant resources including fish, shellfish, waterfowl, and plant materials, with seasonal camps and permanent villages established at favorable locations. The island was named after Rear Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats by Captain George Vancouver during his 1792 exploration of the Pacific Northwest coast. European settlement increased during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Keats Island seeing homesteading, logging, and the establishment of summer camps and retreats. The sheltered nature of Plumper Cove made it a natural anchorage for boats traveling Howe Sound, contributing to its eventual designation as a marine park to preserve public access and protect natural values.

Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park was established on February 22, 1960, making it one of British Columbia's earliest marine parks, created to serve the growing recreational boating community. The park designation protected 33 hectares of upland and 33 hectares of foreshore, ensuring public access to this excellent anchorage and preventing private development. Over the decades, BC Parks has developed and maintained facilities including mooring buoys, docks, campsites, trails, and basic amenities while preserving the area's natural character. The park has become extremely popular, particularly during summer months when the protected anchorage and campsites often fill to capacity. Management balances high recreational demand with conservation of forest ecosystems, shoreline habitats, and water quality in this heavily-used marine park.

Plumper Cove itself is the park's primary attraction, offering a well-protected anchorage with mooring buoys and dock facilities for boats of various sizes. The pebble beach provides opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, and beach play, with gradually sloping access suitable for families. The park features a trail system including the Keats Loop that ascends to a bluff offering viewpoints over Howe Sound, and a 2-kilometer trail leading to Keats Landing providing alternate access to the island. The 20 forested walk-in campsites are popular with boaters seeking overnight stays in a natural setting. A grassy picnic area with tables provides space for day users and campers to gather. The sheltered waters around Keats Island create excellent conditions for kayaking, with Plumper Cove serving as a destination for day trips or a base for exploring Howe Sound. Tidepool exploration along rocky shores offers opportunities to observe intertidal marine life.

Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park offers well-developed facilities including mooring buoys, a wharf with floats for boats and dinghies, 20 walk-in campsites, pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Drinking water is available but subject to a boil water advisory, requiring treatment before consumption. The park is accessible by boat from various launching points on the Sunshine Coast or metro Vancouver, or by taking BC Ferries to Langdale and then the Stornaway II ferry to Keats Landing, followed by a 2-kilometer hike to the park. Water taxis operate from Gibsons but may require charter arrangements. The park is open year-round with full services from mid-May through mid-September, though winter visits are possible with limited facilities. Camping fees are charged during the operating season, with additional fees for moorage and dock use. Reservations are not accepted, with campsites and moorage available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park can be extremely busy during summer weekends, with early arrival recommended.

Conservation priorities at Plumper Cove include protecting mature coastal forests, maintaining water quality in the cove despite heavy boat traffic, and managing impacts from thousands of annual visitors. The marine environment requires protection from pollution, invasive species, and disturbance to sensitive habitats including eelgrass beds. Forest management focuses on preventing damage to trees and understory vegetation from foot traffic and camping activities concentrated in a relatively small area. Invasive species management addresses threats from introduced plants that could displace native vegetation. Climate change impacts may include sea level rise affecting shoreline facilities, warmer ocean temperatures impacting marine ecosystems, and increased drought stress for forest vegetation during longer, drier summers. The park's popularity creates ongoing challenges through waste generation, potential impacts on wildlife from human activity, and wear on trails and campsites from heavy use. Sustainable management requires balancing intensive recreational use with protection of the ecological values that make the park attractive, requiring active stewardship, facility maintenance, and visitor education about low-impact recreation practices.