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Isla de Alborán Lighthouse

Fl (4) White 20s🇪🇸Torrenueva Costa, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Isla de Alborán Lighthouse

The Isla de Alborán lighthouse, built in 1876, is a cylindrical stone tower standing 20 meters tall. It rises from the center of a two-story keeper's house, which is buff-colored with red-brown stone trim. The tower itself is unpainted stone, topped by a white watch room and a red lantern. The focal height of the light is 40 meters, and it emits a white flash every 20 seconds, visible for 17.1 nautical miles. The structure was restored and converted to wind power between 2003 and 2004.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the isolated Isla de Alborán, a navigational hazard in the Alboran Sea. Its conversion to wind power represents an early adoption of sustainable energy for navigational aids.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
40m
Geographic Range
17.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1876

Significant events: island captured by Spain in 1540, Soviet fishing vessels landed in 1960, Spanish navy established base, island incorporated into marine reserve in 1997, lighthouse restored and converted to wind power in 2003-04

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Motril(2.3 km)
Admiralty No.
E0086
NGA No.
22780
ARLHS No.
CEU-009

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
Tower unpainted; watch room white, lantern red; house buff with unpainted red-brown stone trim
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower with gallery and a small lantern, rising from the center of a 2-story keeper's house

Location

City
Torrenueva Costa
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Andalusia
Sea Region
Alborán is a small, barren island in the Alboran Sea, located 56 km north of Cap des Trois Fourches, Morocco, and 90 km south of the Spanish mainland at Adra. It was named after the Tunisian captain Al Borani.
Latitude
36.6944°
Longitude
-3.4683°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Isla de Alborán Lighthouse at night?+
Isla de Alborán displays the characteristic Fl (4) White 20s — 4 white flashes every 20 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 Isla de Alborán Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Isla de Alborán Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Motril at 3 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Órjiva (12.6 NM NNE), Adra (22 NM E), VELEZ (29.1 NM W), Maracena (31.4 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Isla de Alborán Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Isla de Alborán 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 Isla de Alborán Lighthouse?+
Isla de Alborán 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 Isla de Alborán Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Isla de Alborán 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.