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Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse

Oc White 3s🇵🇹Nazaré, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse

The Nazaré lighthouse, operational since 1903, is part of the Forte de São Miguel, a 1577 fortification. Its lantern, an 8m round cast iron structure painted bright red, is positioned on the fort's wall. The light, which is white and occults every 3 seconds (Oc W 3s), has a visibility range of 18.7 nautical miles. It is situated on a sharp headland at the western edge of Nazaré, a locality famous for very large waves that attract surfers.

Why it matters: This navigation aid marks the coast near Nazaré's headland, an area known for its very large waves.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 3s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Oc W 3s
Focal Height
50m
Geographic Range
18.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1903

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Nazare(1.1 km)
Admiralty No.
D2074
ARLHS No.
POR-032

Tower & Structure

Tower Color
bright red
Material
cast iron

Structure: An 8m round cast iron lantern, painted bright red, mounted on the wall of the fort.

Location

City
Nazaré
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Leiria
Sea Region
Located on a very sharp headland at the west end of the town of Nazaré, a village now popular as a beach resort. This light is built on the stone walls of the Forte de São Miguel, which dates from 1577. This location is famous among surfers for its extremely high waves.
Latitude
39.6044°
Longitude
-9.0851°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse at night?+
Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) displays the characteristic Oc 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 Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is NAZARE at 1.3 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include São Martinho do Porto (5.7 NM SSW), Maceira (10.5 NM ENE), Foz do Arelho (11.9 NM SSW), Peniche (20.1 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) 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 Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) 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.