Refuge Cove Seaplane Base (YRC)

Refuge Cove Seaplane Base is the water aerodrome serving Refuge Cove, a small year-round community on West Redonda Island in the Desolation Sound area of British Columbia. Because the settlement has no road connection, the seaplane base works alongside the marina as one of the main ways for supplies, boaters and visitors to reach this remote part of the Inside Passage.

The base sits at the south end of West Redonda Island, about 150 kilometres northwest of Vancouver between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Seasonal floatplane services link Refuge Cove with the Seattle area and other coastal stops, while nearby towns such as Campbell River and Powell River lie roughly 30 to 40 kilometres away across the water.

Rather than a conventional airport terminal, the base consists of a dock and sheltered float area in the cove. Arriving passengers step directly onto the dock, where luggage is unloaded and onward travel continues by boat, water taxi or on foot to the village facilities.

For visitors exploring Desolation Sound, the seaplane base offers a practical gateway to a region known for boating, kayaking and marine park anchorages. The small settlement provides a general store, fuel, marina services and seasonal dining, making the base an important supply and arrival point for coastal travellers.