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Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇨🇺Caimanera, CUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse

This cylindrical steel lighthouse, built in 1904, stands 18 meters tall with a focal height of 103 meters. Its white tower is distinguished by a gray lantern roof and is supported by six buttresses. Initially, it displayed a temporary light in 1899 before its official operation began the following year. The lighthouse was officially deactivated in 1955, with its primary beacon moved to a skeletal tower. Despite its deactivation, an unofficial white light was observed from the original structure as late as 2017. Reports in January 2010 detailed severe deterioration, leading to its inclusion on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is significant due to its location within the U.S. Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay, a site of geopolitical interest and a critical maritime access point for naval operations. Efforts to preserve the structure highlight its architectural heritage and connection to the history of U.S.-Cuban relations.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
103m
Geographic Range
25.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1904

Significant events: Temporary light displayed 1899, officially inactive 1955, active beacon moved to skeletal tower 1955, reported seriously deteriorated January 2010, placed on Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List, engineers hired to assess preservation 2015

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Guantanamo Bay(1.0 km)
USCG No.
3-33370
ARLHS No.
GTM-001

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white, except the lantern roof is gray
Material
steel

Structure: round cylindrical steel tower with six buttresses, lantern and gallery

Location

City
Caimanera
Country
🇨🇺Cuba
Region
Guantánamo
Sea Region
Windward Point (Punta Barlovento) on the U.S. Naval Base at Guantánamo, in the southern portion of Guantánamo Bay
Latitude
19.8925°
Longitude
-75.1633°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Guantanamo Bay at 1.9 NM to the N. Other ports served include Santiago de Cuba (39.9 NM W), Sagua de Tánamo (41.7 NM N), Baracoa (46.3 NM NE), MOA (48.1 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station 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 Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station 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.