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Kidston Island Lighthouse

Fl Green 12s🇨🇦Baddeck, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kidston Island Lighthouse

Also known as: Kidston Island (Baddeck)

The Kidston Island Lighthouse, a square pyramidal wood tower painted white with red trim, stands 14.5 meters tall. Its lantern, also red, sits atop the structure. First lit in 1911, it replaced an earlier structure that was demolished in 1959. The light emits a single green flash every 12 seconds. The focal plane of the light is 13.5 meters above sea level, providing a geographic range of 11.5 nautical miles. Ownership of the lighthouse transferred to the Village of Baddeck in 2005, with restoration efforts completed between 2013 and 2014. While the tower is closed to the public, the island site is accessible.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for navigating the entrance to Baddeck Harbour, a key waterway on St. Patrick's Channel.

Background
The Kidston Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Kidston Island, located in the Bras d'Or lakes, in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. The original lighthouse on Kidston Island was built in 1875. The present lighthouse was built in 1912 and the two stood side by side for some time. The lighthouse can only be accessed by boat; a ferry operates during the summer months.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 12s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
12s
Raw Code
Fl G 12s
Focal Height
13.5m
Geographic Range
11.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1911

Significant events: Ownership transferred to Village of Baddeck in 2005, restoration carried out in 2013-14, original lighthouse demolished in 1959

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with red trim
Material
wood

Structure: square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red

Location

City
Baddeck
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
eastern end of Kidston Island at the entrance to Baddeck Harbour, St. Patrick's Channel
Latitude
46.0981°
Longitude
-60.7421°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Baddeck(0.2 km)
Admiralty No.
H0800
NGA No.
110-8996
ARLHS No.
CAN-261
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6405042 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kidston Island Lighthouse at night?+
Kidston Island displays the characteristic Fl Green 12s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kidston Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kidston Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Baddeck at 0.9 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Neil's Harbour (12.1 NM NE), North Sydney (21.7 NM ENE), Sydney (22.8 NM E), Mabou (26.8 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kidston Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kidston Island 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 Kidston Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kidston Island 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.