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Isla de Patos Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇻🇪VEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Isla de Patos Lighthouse

The Isla de Patos lighthouse is a 36-meter-tall steel tower built in 2012. It displays a white light with a single flash every 5 seconds, visible for 26.3 nautical miles. The tower is painted with red and white horizontal bands and stands on a small, steep island at the southern entrance to the Dragon's Mouths strait. This strait separates Venezuela from Trinidad and Tobago. The lighthouse is located on the island's highest point, near the west end.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks a historically significant point where a territorial dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain was resolved by a 1942 treaty.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
114m
Light Range
20NM (37.0 km)
Geographic Range
26.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2012

Significant events: British ceded claim to Isla de Patos in 1942 treaty fixing marine boundary between Venezuela and Trinidad

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Chaguaramas(13.2 km)
Admiralty No.
J6517
NGA No.
110-17200
ARLHS No.
VEN-039
Wikidata
Q58002182 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
36m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
steel

Structure: square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands

Location

Country
🇻🇪Venezuela
Region
Federal Dependencies
Sea Region
Isla de Patos, a small, steep island in the southern entrance to the Dragon's Mouths, about 10 km east of Macuro and 15 km southwest of Chacachacare island in Trinidad and Tobago. It is administered as a federal territory of Venezuela, located on the highest point of the island, near the west end.
Latitude
10.6401°
Longitude
-61.8636°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Isla de Patos Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 114 meters and a nominal range of 20 nautical miles (approximately 37.0 km), Isla de Patos is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Isla de Patos Lighthouse at night?+
Isla de Patos 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 Isla de Patos Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Isla de Patos Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Chaguaramas at 13.1 NM to the E. Other ports served include Puerto de Hierro (14 NM W), Carenage (15.7 NM E), Tembladora (16.8 NM E), Port-of-Spain (20.4 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Isla de Patos Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Isla de Patos 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 Isla de Patos Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Isla de Patos 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.