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Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse

Oc White 8s🇪🇸Cariño, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse

The Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse is a 10-meter tall, cylindrical concrete tower constructed in 1984. Its lantern and double gallery are 124 meters above sea level. The structure is painted white, featuring a red horizontal band beneath the lower gallery. It emits an occulting white flash every 8 seconds. Located on a steep headland approximately 5 kilometers north of Cariño, it indicates a substantial alteration in the Spanish coastline's path from an east-west to a northeast-southwest direction. The location can be visited, but entry into the tower is not permitted.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a navigation aid for ships navigating the Cabo Ortegal headland, marking an important point where the Spanish coastline changes direction, thereby helping to ensure safer journeys.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 8s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Oc W 8s
Focal Height
124m
Geographic Range
27.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1984

Significant events: Planned in 1846, proposals in 1908 and 1930, built in 1984

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red horizontal band below the lower gallery
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white with a red horizontal band below the lower gallery

Location

City
Cariño
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Galicia
Sea Region
Cabo Ortegal, 12 km west and a little south of Punta de la Estaca de Bares, marking the point where the Spanish coastline changes direction from east-west to northeast-southwest, located atop a very steep headland about 5 km north of Cariño.
Latitude
43.7710°
Longitude
-7.8698°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Carino(2.3 km)
Admiralty No.
D1686.3
NGA No.
2450
ARLHS No.
SPA-036
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse at night?+
Cabo Ortegal displays the characteristic Oc White 8s. 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 Ortegal Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Cariño at 2.1 NM to the S. Other ports served include SANTA MARTA ORTIGUEI (5.4 NM S), Ortigueira (6.3 NM S), Cedeira (10.9 NM SW), CELEIRO (13 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cabo Ortegal 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 Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cabo Ortegal 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.