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Maugher Beach Lighthouse

Fl Yellow 30s🇨🇦McNabs Island, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Maugher Beach Lighthouse

Also known as: Maugher Beach (McNabs Island)

The Maugher Beach Lighthouse stands on an islet connected by a pier to McNab's Island, marking the center of the Halifax harbor entrance. An octagonal concrete tower, 17.5 meters tall and painted white with a red lantern, was built in 1941. This replaced the first light established in 1828 atop the Sherbrooke Tower, which was later demolished in 1944. The lighthouse emits a yellow flash every 30 seconds, visible for 12.4 nautical miles. The keeper's house associated with the station was removed in 1987. While the site is open to the public, the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's location is critical for guiding vessels into Halifax harbor, a significant Canadian port. Its original light was housed atop the Sherbrooke Tower, a Martello fortification, highlighting an early integration of defense and navigation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Yellow 30s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Yellow
Interval
30s
Raw Code
Fl Y 30s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1941
First Lit
1828

Significant events: Station established 1828, Original light placed atop Sherbrooke Tower, Current lighthouse built 1941, Sherbrooke Tower demolished 1944, Keeper's house demolished 1987

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
17.5m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

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

Location

City
McNabs Island
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
Located on an islet off the west side of McNab's Island, in the center of the entrance to the Halifax harbor. The islet is connected to McNabs Island by a long pier, serving as a major landmark for ships arriving in Halifax.
Latitude
44.6009°
Longitude
-63.5335°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Halifax(4.3 km)
Admiralty No.
H3607
NGA No.
9932
ARLHS No.
CAN-308
Wikidata
Q28375733 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Maugher Beach Lighthouse at night?+
Maugher Beach displays the characteristic Fl Yellow 30s. 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 yellow color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Maugher Beach Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Maugher Beach Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Halifax at 3.6 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Bald Rock (8.2 NM S), Minesville (8.7 NM NE), Bedford (9.4 NM NW), Fall River (13.4 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Maugher Beach Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Maugher Beach 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 Maugher Beach Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Maugher Beach 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.