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Portimão West Mole Lighthouse

Fl Red 5s🇵🇹Portimão, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Portimão West Mole Lighthouse

The Portimão West Mole lighthouse is a cylindrical tower standing 7 meters tall, situated at the end of the western breakwater. It features red and white horizontal bands and emits a red flash every five seconds. The light is visible for 10.4 nautical miles, with its focal plane at 10 meters. Visitors can access the site, but the tower itself is closed to the public. This structure guides vessels into Portimão harbor, serving the local fishing fleet, pleasure craft, and larger ships.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for safe navigation into Portimão harbor, marking the western edge of the channel and preventing groundings on the breakwater.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl R 5s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Location

City
Portimão
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Faro
Sea Region
Portimão harbor entrance, marking the west mole.
Latitude
37.1088°
Longitude
-8.5295°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Portimao(0.4 km)
ARLHS No.
POR-093

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands

Structure: round bluntly conical tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Portimão West Mole Lighthouse at night?+
Portimão West Mole displays the characteristic Fl Red 5s. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Portimão West Mole Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Portimão West Mole Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Portimao at 1.1 NM to the N. Other ports served include Benagil (4.9 NM ESE), Lagos (6.8 NM W), Armação de Pêra (8.6 NM E), Burgau (11.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Portimão West Mole Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Portimão West Mole 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 Portimão West Mole Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Portimão West Mole 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.