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Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 10s🇪🇸Cartaya, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse

This cylindrical stone tower, built in 1976, stands 10 meters tall and has a focal height of 43 meters. It is located on the west side of the Río Piedras entrance, near Cartaya, marking the approach to El Rompido harbor. The lighthouse's current design features a white tower with a red band, a change from its original black and white horizontal banding. The structure includes a lantern and gallery, attached to a single-story keeper's house. Its geographic range is 17.6 nautical miles, emitting a white flash every 10 seconds. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides maritime traffic into the Río Piedras and El Rompido harbor, especially important due to the shifting Flecha de El Rompido sandspit that constantly reshapes the waterway.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
43m
Geographic Range
17.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1976

Significant events: The Flecha de El Rompido sandspit extended 8 km to the east, rendering the original 1861 lighthouse obsolete and necessitating the construction of a new tower; the tower's paint scheme was formerly black and white horizontal bands before being changed to white with a red band.

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
Material
stone

Structure: round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house

Location

City
Cartaya
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Andalusia
Sea Region
Located behind the historic lighthouse, on the west side of the entrance to the Río Piedras and the harbor of El Rompido in Cartaya. It marks the approach to the river, which is protected by the dynamic Flecha de El Rompido sandspit.
Latitude
37.2184°
Longitude
-7.1270°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
El rompido(0.6 km)
Admiralty No.
D2312
NGA No.
3828
ARLHS No.
SPA-271
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Cartaya Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 10s — 2 white flashes every 10 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 Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is El Rompido at 0.6 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include ISLA CRISTINA (9.7 NM W), Ayamonte (13.4 NM W), VILA REAL ST ANTONIO (13.8 NM W), Vila Real de Santo António (13.8 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cartaya Lighthouses 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 Cartaya Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cartaya Lighthouses 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.