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Ponta da Barca Lighthouse

Fl White 7s🇵🇹Santa Cruz da Graciosa, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ponta da Barca Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete tower, built in 1930, stands 23 meters tall and emits a white flash every 7 seconds. Its lantern and gallery rise from a one-story keeper's complex. The lighthouse is situated on a sharp rocky promontory at the northwestern tip of Graciosa Island, about 7 kilometers west of Santa Cruz da Graciosa. In 1978, a severe thunderstorm damaged the structure, requiring repairs. The focal height of the light reaches 71 meters, providing a geographic range of 21.5 nautical miles.

Why it matters: Ponta da Barca Lighthouse marks a sharp rocky promontory, guiding vessels past the northwestern tip of Graciosa Island. It is the tallest lighthouse in the Azores, offering an extended range of visibility.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 7s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
7s
Raw Code
Fl W 7s
Focal Height
71m
Geographic Range
21.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1930

Significant events: repaired after being damaged by a severe thunderstorm in 1978

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Praia da Graciosa(4.6 km)
Admiralty No.
D2676
NGA No.
23500
ARLHS No.
AZO-011

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
23m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete (?) tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's complex

Location

City
Santa Cruz da Graciosa
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Sea Region
Azores, on a sharp rocky promontory at the northwestern tip of the island, about 7 km west of Santa Cruz da Graciosa
Latitude
39.0937°
Longitude
-28.0495°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ponta da Barca Lighthouse at night?+
Ponta da Barca displays the characteristic Fl White 7s. 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 Ponta da Barca Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ponta da Barca Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Santa Cruz da Graciosa at 2.3 NM to the E. Other ports served include Praia da Graciosa (4.5 NM SE), Velas (26.2 NM SSW), Calheta, Island São Jorge (29.7 NM S), Topo (34.9 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ponta da Barca Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ponta da Barca 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 Ponta da Barca Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ponta da Barca 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.