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Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse

F (2) White 10s🇧🇷Angra dos Reis, BROperational

Location & Light Range

About Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse

Also known as: Ponta de Castelhanos (Farol dos Castelhanos)

Constructed from stone, the Ponta de Castelhanos lighthouse was built in 1901 and first lit that same year. The structure consists of a square pyramidal tower painted white, reaching 16 meters in height. It rises from a one-story keeper's quarters, also made of masonry. The lighthouse is situated at the eastern end of Ilha Grande, an island located about 120 km west of Rio de Janeiro. Its white light emits two flashes every 10 seconds, visible for 27 nautical miles. The facility is operational and staffed, with its focal height positioned 121 meters above sea level.

Why it matters: The Ponta de Castelhanos lighthouse is important for navigation around the eastern side of Ilha Grande, an island significant for local shipping and tourism.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F (2) White 10s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
F.Fl(2) W 10s
Focal Height
121m
Geographic Range
27NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1901

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ihla Guaiba(9.5 km)
ARLHS No.
BRA-076

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: square pyramidal masonry (stone?) tower rising from 1-story masonry keeper's quarters

Location

City
Angra dos Reis
Country
🇧🇷Brazil
Region
Rio de Janeiro
Sea Region
Located at the eastern end of Ilha Grande, a large island approximately 120 km west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The island is under environmental protection and mostly a state park, accessible by ferry from Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba.
Latitude
-23.1677°
Longitude
-44.0928°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse at night?+
Ponta de Castelhanos displays the characteristic F (2) White 10s — 2 white flashes every 10 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 Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is ILHA GRANDE at 4.3 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include GEBIG (10.1 NM NW), ILHA GUAIBA (10.2 NM NNE), Mangaratiba (12.7 NM NNE), Angra dos Reis (15.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ponta de Castelhanos Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ponta de Castelhanos 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 de Castelhanos Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ponta de Castelhanos 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.