 Since 1995, North Keeling Island and the surrounding sea to from shore have been within the Pulu Keeling National Park.The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are believed to have first been seen by Europeans in 1609 by Captain William Keeling, after whom they are named, of the East India Company on a journey from Java in the Dutch East Indies.North Keeling was sketched by Ekeberg, a Swedish captain, in 1749, showing the presence of coconut palms.