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Cape Beale Lighthouse

F Red/White 5s🇨🇦Area A (Bamfield), CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Beale Lighthouse

This lighthouse, operational since 1958, is a 10-meter tall square pyramidal steel skeletal tower topped with a lantern and gallery. It features a slatted white daymark on three sides and stands 51 meters above the water. The light emits a red or white flash every 5 seconds, visible for nearly 19 nautical miles. The station was first established in 1874, with the current structure built in 1958 to replace earlier facilities. It is located near Bamfield, within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, at the southern entrance to Barkley Sound.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for vessels navigating the approach to Barkley Sound, a significant waterway on Canada's west coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Red/White 5s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Red/White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
F.Fl R or W 5s
Focal Height
51m
Geographic Range
18.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1958

Significant events: station established 1874, current tower built 1958

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ucluelet(15.0 km)
Admiralty No.
G5256
NGA No.
13836
USCG No.
6-0790
ARLHS No.
CAN-091

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
steel

Structure: square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with square central cylinder, lantern and gallery, and a slatted white daymark on three sides

Location

City
Area A (Bamfield)
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
British Columbia
Sea Region
southern entrance to Barkley Sound, within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, near Bamfield
Latitude
48.7865°
Longitude
-125.2155°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Beale Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Beale displays the characteristic F Red/White 5s. 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/white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Beale Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Beale Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ucluelet at 14.8 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Tatoosh Island (30.9 NM SE), Port Alberni (31.1 NM NNE), NEAH BAY (34.8 NM SE), Tofino (35 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Beale Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Beale 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 Cape Beale Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Beale 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.