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Gore Bay Lighthouse

Oc White 2s🇨🇦Gordon/Barrie Island, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Gore Bay Lighthouse

Also known as: Gore Bay (Janet Head)

Built in 1879, the Gore Bay Lighthouse is a square, wooden tower standing 9.5 meters tall. Its lantern and gallery are attached to a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. The tower displays white paint with red trim and emits a single white flash every 2 seconds. It has guided vessels on Gore Bay, situated on the north shore of Manitoulin Island, since its first lighting in 1879. The lighthouse ceased operations temporarily in 2016 due to lease issues and safety concerns, but a restoration project reopened it in 2019. Further safety issues led to its closure in 2022 and 2023.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is significant for guiding vessels entering Gore Bay, a harbor on Manitoulin Island, and for its history of community-led restoration and public access.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 2s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
2s
Raw Code
Oc W 2s
Focal Height
12.5m
Geographic Range
11.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1879

Significant events: Lease not extended in 2016 due to safety concerns, restoration by Collaborative Structures Ltd. in 2016, reopened in 2019, 140th birthday celebrated October 15, 2019, closed in 2022 and 2023 due to safety concerns

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Gore Bay(1.8 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-203

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with red trim
Material
wood

Structure: square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house

Location

City
Gordon/Barrie Island
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
Gore Bay on the north shore of Manitoulin Island
Latitude
45.9459°
Longitude
-82.4799°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Gore Bay Lighthouse at night?+
Gore Bay displays the characteristic Oc White 2s. 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 Gore Bay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Gore Bay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Gore Bay at 1.8 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Spragge (17.5 NM NNW), Mindemoya (18.3 NM SE), Little Current (22.9 NM E), Blind River (24.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Gore Bay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Gore Bay 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 Gore Bay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Gore Bay 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.