The island is separated from the smaller East Redonda Island by Waddington Channel, from Cortes Island by Lewis Channel, from Raza Island by Deer Passage, and from the mainland by Pryce Channel. Desolation Sound lies just south of West Redonda Island.
The west side of the island is indented by Teakerne Arm, an inlet off Lewis Channel.
50°07′26″N124°50′24″W / 50.12392°N 124.8401°W / 50.12392; -124.8401 at the south end of West Redonda Island
Both Redonda Islands were sighted in 1792 by the Spanish explorers Galiano and Valdés and given the name Isla Redonda, meaning "round".[2] The ships of Galiano and Valdés spent several days anchored near the two ships under George Vancouver in Lewis Channel and Teakerne Arm off the west coast of West Redonda Island. From this base the two expeditions sent out boat parties to explore the many islands and channels in the area, sharing their findings with one another.[3]
^Kendrick, John (1990). The Voyage of Sutil and Mexicana, 1792: The last Spanish exploration of the Northwest Coast of America. Spokane, Washington: The Arthur H. Clark Company. ISBN0-87062-203-X.