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Cabo La Plata Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇪🇸San Sebastián, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cabo La Plata Lighthouse

Also known as: Cabo La Plata (Platako)

Established in 1855, the Cabo La Plata Lighthouse is positioned on Monte Ulía, overlooking the western entrance to the Bahía de Pasajes. The 13-meter cylindrical stone tower, featuring white walls and gray trim, has a focal height of 153 meters. Its light emits a single white flash every 4 seconds, visible for nearly 30 nautical miles. The lighthouse complex includes a three-story, castle-like keeper's house constructed from stone, with the tower and lantern mounted on its roof. At some point in its history, the tower's height was increased. The site is open to the public, offering expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean, though the tower itself is closed to visitors.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for vessels navigating the entrance to the Bahía de Pasajes, facilitating safe passage to the port of Pasajes, located just 0.4 km away.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
153m
Geographic Range
29.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1855

Significant events: light tower was raised in height at some time

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with gray trim
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery mounted on the flat roof of a 3-story castle-like keeper's house

Location

City
San Sebastián
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Autonomous Community of the Basque Country
Sea Region
on the Monte Ulía, on the west side of the entrance to the Bahía de Pasajes, about 8 km north of Pasaia, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic to the north.
Latitude
43.3346°
Longitude
-1.9339°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Pasajes(0.4 km)
ARLHS No.
SPA-133
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cabo La Plata Lighthouse at night?+
Cabo La Plata displays the characteristic Fl 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 Cabo La Plata Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cabo La Plata Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is PASAI SAN PEDRO at 0.7 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Pasajes (1 NM SE), Rentería (1.2 NM SE), LEZO (1.3 NM SE), Lizartza (2.4 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cabo La Plata Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cabo La Plata 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.
What shipping routes pass near Cabo La Plata Lighthouse?+
Cabo La Plata Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Cabo La Plata Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cabo La Plata 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.