Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇨🇦Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse

Also known as: Cap-aux-Meules (Grindstone, Pointe Hérisse, Étang-du-Nord)

A round, 11.5-meter fiberglass tower, painted white with a red lantern, stands at Pointe Hérisse on Île du Cap aux Meules. Its light's focal height reaches 28 meters above sea level. The current structure, built in 1987, is a replacement for earlier lights that began service in 1874. Subsequent towers were erected in 1912 and 1967. The light emits a white flash every 6 seconds, visible for 14.9 nautical miles. Though deactivated in 2015, the site remains accessible to visitors.

Why it matters: This light provided navigation aid for ships approaching Île du Cap aux Meules, a primary island within the Magdalen archipelago, with its structural evolution demonstrating changes in navigation aids and construction.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
28m
Geographic Range
14.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1987
First Lit
1874

Significant events: The original lighthouse was replaced in 1912, In 1967 the historic lighthouse was replaced by a slender metal tower, which was replaced by the present fiberglass lighthouse in 1987, Inactive since 2015

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white, lantern red
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round fiberglass tower with lantern

Location

City
Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Quebec
Sea Region
At Pointe Hérisse, on the west side of Île du Cap aux Meules
Latitude
47.3848°
Longitude
-61.9593°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cap-aux-Meules(4.3 km)
Admiralty No.
H0912
ARLHS No.
CAN-961
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Canada, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse at night?+
Cap-aux-Meules displays the characteristic Fl White 6s. 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 Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 3 nearby ports. The closest is Etang-du-Nord at 1.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Cap-aux-Meules (4.3 NM E), Amherst (10.4 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cap-aux-Meules 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 Cap-aux-Meules Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cap-aux-Meules 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.