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

Porphyry Point Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇨🇦Unorganized Thunder Bay District, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Porphyry Point Lighthouse

A square pyramidal skeletal tower with a central cylinder, lantern, and gallery, the Porphyry Point Lighthouse was built in 1960. It stands 14.5 meters tall and emits a white flash every 10 seconds. The structure is painted white and has a focal height of 25 meters. Located at the southwestern tip of Porphyry Island, it guards the entrance to Black Bay, about 8 km east of Silver Islet. The station dates to 1873, with management and restoration efforts undertaken by Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior beginning in 2014. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the entrance to Black Bay, a significant waterway for local boat traffic on Lake Superior. Beyond its navigational function, the site offers unique overnight accommodations, attracting visitors and contributing to eco-tourism.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
25m
Geographic Range
14.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1960

Significant events: Management assumed by Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (2014), restoration and repainting (2014), opened for overnight accommodations (2014), college students sought for summer residence (2016), 150th anniversary of station celebrated (2023)

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white

Structure: square pyramidal skeletal tower with square central cylinder, lantern and gallery, painted white

Location

City
Unorganized Thunder Bay District
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
Located at the southwestern tip of Porphyry Island, guarding the entrance into Black Bay, approximately 8 km east of Silver Islet. Porphyry Island is a provincial nature reserve in Lake Superior.
Latitude
48.3398°
Longitude
-88.6482°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Thunder Bay(22.2 km)
USCG No.
7-16885
ARLHS No.
CAN-584
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Porphyry 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 Porphyry Point Lighthouse at night?+
Porphyry Point 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 Porphyry Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Porphyry Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Fort William at 23.6 NM to the W. Other ports served include Port Arthur (23.6 NM W), Thunder Bay (23.6 NM W), Red Rock (39.4 NM NNE), Grand Portage (47.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Porphyry Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Porphyry 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 Porphyry Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Porphyry 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.