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Capo San Marco Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 15s🇮🇹Sciacca, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Capo San Marco Lighthouse

This white, cylindrical concrete lighthouse, standing 11 meters tall, was first lit in 1885. Its light is positioned 25 meters above sea level and emits a white flash every 15 seconds. The structure consists of a concrete post situated atop a single-story equipment building. It is located on Capo San Marco, approximately 2.5 kilometers west of the port of Sciacca in Sicily. The geographic range of its light is 14.3 nautical miles.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the Capo San Marco headland, a significant coastal feature essential for safe navigation along Sicily's southwestern coast, especially for vessels approaching or leaving the harbor of Sciacca.

Background
Capo San Marco Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Capo San Marco promontory, on the tip of Sinis peninsula overlooking the ruins below of Tharros. The structure is in the municipality of Cabras, in the west of the island on the Sea of Sardinia.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
25m
Light Range
22NM (40.7 km)
Geographic Range
14.3NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1885

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sciacca(2.5 km)
Admiralty No.
E1928.5
NGA No.
10094
ARLHS No.
ITA-038
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q33019971 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post centered on a 1-story equipment building

Location

City
Sciacca
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Sicily
Sea Region
Capo San Marco, located at the end of the Via del Faro about 5 km west of the harbor of Sciacca.
Latitude
37.4964°
Longitude
13.0211°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Capo San Marco Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 25 meters and a nominal range of 22 nautical miles (approximately 40.7 km), Capo San Marco is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Capo San Marco Lighthouse at night?+
Capo San Marco 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 Capo San Marco Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Capo San Marco Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sciacca at 2.8 NM to the E. Other ports served include Porto Palo (7.1 NM NW), Marinella di Selinunte (10 NM WNW), Mazara del Vallo (22.7 NM WNW), Porto Empedocle (27.4 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Capo San Marco Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Capo San Marco 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 Capo San Marco Lighthouse?+
Capo San Marco 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 Capo San Marco Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Capo San Marco 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.