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Cabo Prior Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 15s🇪🇸ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cabo Prior Lighthouse

The Cabo Prior Lighthouse was built and first lit in 1853. It is a hexagonal stone tower, 8 meters in height, attached to the front of a U-shaped, 1-story masonry keeper's house. The light has a focal height of 107 meters and can be seen for 25.6 nautical miles. Its characteristic is three white flashes every 15 seconds. The structure is located on a headland, 10.1 km from Ferrol. The site is open for visits, but the tower is not.

Why it matters: This navigation aid marks the main point between Capes Finisterre and Ortegal, assisting ships heading towards the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl(3) W 15s
Focal Height
107m
Geographic Range
25.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1853

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
hexagonal
Tower Color
stone
Material
stone

Structure: hexagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, embedded in the front of a U-shaped 1-story masonry keeper's house

Location

Country
🇪🇸Spain
Sea Region
Cabo Prior is the most prominent headland between Capes Finisterre and Ortegal, an important landfall light for the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña. It is located at the top of a vertical cliff, 14 km northwest of Ferrol and 4 km northwest of Pedreira.
Latitude
43.6147°
Longitude
-8.3678°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ferrol(10.1 km)
Admiralty No.
D1692
NGA No.
2460
ARLHS No.
SPA-038
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cabo Prior Lighthouse at night?+
Cabo Prior displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 15s — 3 white flashes every 15 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cabo Prior Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cabo Prior Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ferrol at 9.9 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Mugardos (10.6 NM SSE), FENE (11.6 NM SE), ARES (12.8 NM SSE), Cedeira (13.3 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cabo Prior Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cabo Prior 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 Prior Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cabo Prior 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.