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Outer Island Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇨🇦Shag Harbour, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Outer Island Lighthouse

Also known as: Outer Island (Bon Portage Island)

The Outer Island Lighthouse, an active aid to navigation, stands on the island's southwest point, approximately 3 kilometers southwest of Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia. The current square cylindrical concrete tower, built in 1964, rises 12 meters and features a lantern and gallery atop a fog signal building. It emits a white flash every 10 seconds, visible for 11.6 nautical miles. The original light station was established in 1874, and the current structure replaced an earlier lighthouse. The 4th order Fresnel lens from the original lighthouse has been relocated to the Seal Island Lighthouse Museum.

Why it matters: The light station buildings have been incorporated into Acadia University’s Evelyn and Morrill Richardson Field Station in Biology, adapting the site for scientific research and preservation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1964

Significant events: Station established 1874, current lighthouse built 1964, original lighthouse's 4th order Fresnel lens moved to Seal Island Lighthouse Museum, light station buildings became part of Acadia University’s Evelyn and Morrill Richardson Field Station in Biology

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one corner of a 1-story fog signal building

Location

City
Shag Harbour
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
on the southwest point of the island about 3 km southwest of Shag Harbour
Latitude
43.4564°
Longitude
-65.7436°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shag harbour(2.8 km)
Admiralty No.
H3790
NGA No.
10560
ARLHS No.
CAN-360
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Outer Island Lighthouse at night?+
Outer Island displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. 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 Outer Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Outer Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shag harbour at 2.8 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Lower Woods Harbour (3.6 NM N), Clark's Harbour (4.8 NM E), Stoney Island (7.7 NM E), Lower east pubnico (9.3 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Outer Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Outer 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 Outer Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Outer 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.