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Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Occ R 4s🇺🇸Eastern Maine, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Light was constructed in 1858 and first illuminated that same year. This lighthouse stands 10 meters tall, with its focal height reaching 17 meters. Its light displays a single red occulting flash. The tower is painted red and has a geographic range of 13 nautical miles. It is situated on the southwest part of Mount Desert Island and marks the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located within Acadia National Park.

Background
Bass Harbor Head Light is a lighthouse located within Acadia National Park in the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ R 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
13NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1858
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
LLNR 2335
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q810448 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
Eastern Maine
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
44.2219°
Longitude
-68.3373°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse at night?+
Bass Harbor Head displays the characteristic Occ R 4s — 1 red flash every 4 seconds. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is BERNARD at 1.2 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Matanuska (6.8 NM SW), Bar Harbor (11.7 NM NNE), WINTER HARBOR (14.8 NM NE), Little Deer Isle (15.3 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
How can I track vessels near Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Bass Harbor Head 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.