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Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse

Oc White 4s🇵🇹Faro, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse

This concrete, cylindrical tower stands 7 meters tall and displays a white occulting light every 4 seconds from a focal height of 9 meters. It is painted with red and white horizontal bands and has a geographic range of 10 nautical miles. The structure serves as the front light in a range system, guiding vessels. While the site is accessible to visitors, the tower itself is closed. The nearest port is Olhao, located 3.4 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This light is indispensable for safe passage into the Ria Formosa estuary, providing precise directional guidance as the front light of an entrance range.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 4s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc W 4s
Focal Height
9m
Geographic Range
10NM

Location

City
Faro
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Faro
Sea Region
Marks the entrance range for the Ria Formosa estuary, located near the foot of the east mole of the estuary entrance.
Latitude
36.9703°
Longitude
-7.8668°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Olhao(3.4 km)
Admiralty No.
D2206.1
NGA No.
3736

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
concrete

Structure: slender round tower painted with red and white horizontal bands

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front displays the characteristic Oc White 4s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Olhão at 4.1 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Faro (4.3 NM NW), Fuzeta (7.4 NM NE), Quarteira (12.6 NM WNW), Santa Luzia (13 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Barra Faro-Olhão Range Front Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.