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Main Duck Island Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇨🇦CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Main Duck Island Lighthouse

Constructed in 1914, the Main Duck Island Lighthouse is an octagonal concrete tower standing 24.5 meters tall. Its white structure is topped with a red lantern and gallery. The light emits a single white flash every 6 seconds, visible for 13.9 nautical miles. Located on the western end of Main Duck Island, it sits centrally in Lake Ontario, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of the Ontario shore. The island has a varied history, including ownership by U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles from 1941 to 1959. Parks Canada has managed the island since 1977, and it became part of Thousand Islands National Park in 1998. The lighthouse was repainted in either 2021 or 2022.

Why it matters: The lighthouse helps vessels navigate the central waters of Lake Ontario, marking its position between Canadian and U.S. shores.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
23.5m
Geographic Range
13.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1914
Heritage Status
Part of Thousand Islands National Park (1998)

Significant events: Island owned by U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (1941-1959), island owned by Parks Canada (1977), added to Thousand Islands National Park (1998), repainted (2021 or 2022), Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust applied for ownership

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Bath(15.9 km)
USCG No.
7-2585
ARLHS No.
CAN-760

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
24.5m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern and gallery are red

Location

Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
Lake Ontario, marking the western end of Main Duck Island, located in the center of the lake approximately 40 km southeast of the Ontario shore and 16 km west of Galloo Island, New York
Latitude
43.9312°
Longitude
-76.6382°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Main Duck Island Lighthouse at night?+
Main Duck Island displays the characteristic Fl White 6s. 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 Duck Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Main Duck Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Bath at 16 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Cape Vincent (17.8 NM NE), Wolfe Island (17.8 NM NNE), Kingston (19.2 NM NNE), Odessa (20.4 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Main Duck Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Main Duck 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 Main Duck Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Main Duck 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.