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Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇨🇦Main-à-Dieu, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse

Also known as: #Main-à-Dieu

A skeletal fiberglass tower, painted white with two horizontal red bands, stands 9 meters tall at the west point of Scatarie Island. This structure replaced an earlier fiberglass tower from 1979 and a 1934 lighthouse. The original station was established in 1871. The current light emits a single white flash every 4 seconds, with its focal plane situated 24.5 meters above sea level. This aids navigation for vessels off Cape Breton, guarding the Main-à-Dieu Passage.

Why it matters: The light warns mariners of Scatarie Island's western point, preventing groundings and ensuring the smooth flow of maritime traffic in the Main-à-Dieu Passage.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
24.5m
Geographic Range
14.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1979
First Lit
1871

Significant events: Station established 1871, first lighthouse built, replaced in 1934, 1979 fiberglass tower built, replaced in 2015 by skeletal tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
white with two horizontal red bands
Material
fiberglass

Structure: fiberglass tower, painted white with two horizontal red bands

Location

City
Main-à-Dieu
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
at the west point of Scatarie Island, off Cape Breton, guarding the Main-à-Dieu Passage
Latitude
46.0036°
Longitude
-59.7948°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Louisbourg(9.2 km)
Admiralty No.
H0744
NGA No.
9168
ARLHS No.
CAN-296
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse at night?+
Main-à-Dieu displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. 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 Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Louisbourg at 9.4 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Glace Bay (13.8 NM NNW), Sydney (19 NM WNW), North Sydney (22.9 NM NW), Neil's Harbour (34.7 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Main-à-Dieu 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 Main-à-Dieu Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Main-à-Dieu 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.