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Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl (2) Red 8s🇪🇸Vigo, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse

The Illas Cíes Lighthouse is a cylindrical stone tower, standing 6 meters tall and painted white with a thin red band near its top. It is located on a skerry off the southern end of Illa de San Martiño, part of the Illas Cíes archipelago at the entrance to the Ría de Vigo. The light emits a single red flash every 8 seconds, visible for nearly 14 nautical miles. This structure, with a focal height of 23 meters, guides vessels through the challenging waters near the Galician coast. The lighthouse site is accessible by boat, though the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for vessels navigating the southern approaches to the Ría de Vigo, specifically marking the skerry near Illa de San Martiño and helping to define safe channels within the Illas Cíes archipelago.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) Red 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl R 8s
Focal Height
23m
Geographic Range
13.8NM

Location

City
Vigo
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Galicia
Sea Region
Located on a skerry off the south end of the Illa de San Martiño, one of the Illas Cíes, off the entrance to the Ría de Vigo.
Latitude
42.1790°
Longitude
-8.9098°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Baiona(4.5 km)
Admiralty No.
D1889
ARLHS No.
SPA-014

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a thin red band at the top
Material
stone

Structure: round stone tower, painted white with a thin red band at the top

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Illas Cíes Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl (2) Red 8s — 2 red flashes every 8 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is BAIONA at 4.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include DARBO (6.7 NM NE), Cangas (7.3 NM NE), CANGAS (7.4 NM NE), Vigo (9.2 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Illas Cíes 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 Illas Cíes Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Illas Cíes 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.