Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Pachena Point Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 7.5s🇨🇦Area A (Bamfield), CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Pachena Point Lighthouse

The Pachena Point Lighthouse, built in 1908, is an octagonal wooden tower standing 20 meters tall, painted white with a red lantern. Its focal height is 47 meters, casting a white light with a characteristic of one white flash every 7.5 seconds, visible for 18.2 nautical miles. This structure, which houses the original 1st order Fresnel lens, is situated atop a cliff within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, approximately 15 kilometers south of Bamfield. A significant restoration was completed in 2015-16. In 2024, the station was destaffed due to concerns about unstable ground. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels along the west coast of Vancouver Island, a critical shipping lane. Its original Fresnel lens highlights the enduring quality of early 20th-century optical engineering.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 7.5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
7.5s
Raw Code
Fl W 7.5s
Focal Height
47m
Geographic Range
18.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1908

Significant events: major restoration of the lighthouse in 2015-16, destaffing of the station in 2024 due to unstable ground

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white with a red lantern
Material
wood

Structure: octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery; original 1st order Fresnel lens in use

Location

City
Area A (Bamfield)
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
British Columbia
Sea Region
atop a cliff on the West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve about 15 km south of Bamfield
Latitude
48.7222°
Longitude
-125.0971°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ucluelet(21.0 km)
Admiralty No.
G5280
ARLHS No.
CAN-362
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Pachena Point Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Canada, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Pachena Point Lighthouse at night?+
Pachena Point displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 7.5s — 2 white flashes every 7.5 seconds. 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 Pachena Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pachena Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ucluelet at 20.9 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Tatoosh Island (25 NM SE), NEAH BAY (28.7 NM SE), Port Alberni (32.6 NM NNE), Tofino (41 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pachena Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pachena Point 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 Pachena Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pachena Point 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.