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Mar Grande Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇧🇷Vera Cruz, BROperational

Location & Light Range

About Mar Grande Lighthouse

Mar Grande lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower standing 8 meters high, with its focal plane also at 8 meters. The structure is painted white and is situated on a reef at the western entrance to Bahia Todos os Santos. This lighthouse emits a white flash every 3 seconds, visible for 9.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed. It lies near Vera Cruz, with Itaparica port approximately 2.5 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for safe navigation into and out of Bahia Todos os Santos, a major maritime hub. Its precise location on a reef at the bay's western entrance mitigates grounding risks for all ships traversing this busy channel.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
8m
Geographic Range
9.7NM

Location

City
Vera Cruz
Country
🇧🇷Brazil
Region
Bahia
Sea Region
Located on a reef on the west side of the entrance to the Bahia Todos os Santos.
Latitude
-12.9621°
Longitude
-38.6009°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Itaparica(2.5 km)
Admiralty No.
G0244
NGA No.
18032

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: square cylindrical concrete tower painted white

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Mar Grande Lighthouse at night?+
Mar Grande displays the characteristic Fl White 3s. 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 Mar Grande Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Mar Grande Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Itaparica at 2.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Salvador (5.5 NM E), Aratu Pt / Candeias (12.7 NM NNE), Madre de Deus (12.7 NM N), Maragogipe (21.9 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Mar Grande Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Mar Grande 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 Mar Grande Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Mar Grande 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.