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Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse

Fl Green 10s🇪🇸Portugalete, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse

Also known as: Espigón de Portugalete (Muelle de Hierro)

This octagonal concrete tower, standing 8 meters tall, was first lit in 1892. It is located at the end of a long pier that shelters the small boat harbor of Getxo. The lighthouse emits two green flashes followed by one more green flash every 10 seconds, visible for 11.6 nautical miles. Its tower is painted gray with a single yellow horizontal band, a change from its earlier green and red color scheme. The site is open to the public, though visitors cannot enter the tower itself.

Why it matters: This navigational aid is particularly important for the many small boats and recreational vessels using Getxo's inner harbor, guiding them safely past the pier entrance. Its distinct light characteristic aids mariners in identifying it among other coastal lights in this active maritime area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl(2+1) G 10s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1892

Significant events: Color scheme changed from green with a red band to gray with a yellow band

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
gray with one yellow horizontal band
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete tower with gallery, painted gray with one yellow horizontal band

Location

City
Portugalete
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Autonomous Community of the Basque Country
Sea Region
Located at the end of long pier sheltering the inner small boat harbor of Getxo.
Latitude
43.3322°
Longitude
-3.0266°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Santurce(2.7 km)
Admiralty No.
D1529
NGA No.
1940
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse at night?+
Espigón de Portugalete displays the characteristic Fl Green 10s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Santurce at 0.3 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Santurtz (1 NM SSE), Algorta (1.2 NM NNE), Bilbao (2.2 NM NW), Munguía (8.5 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Espigón de Portugalete 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 Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse?+
Espigón de Portugalete 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 Espigón de Portugalete Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Espigón de Portugalete 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.