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

Portlock Point Lighthouse

Q White🇨🇦Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Portlock Point Lighthouse

Portlock Point Lighthouse, built in 1987, is a 7.5-meter-tall square pyramidal wooden tower painted white, with a red lantern and gallery. It stands on the eastern end of Prevost Island, near the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area in British Columbia. The lighthouse's geographic range is 12 nautical miles, and it emits a quick white flash. This structure replaced an earlier station, and its light was automated in 1964 following a kerosene explosion that resulted in the keeper's death and the destruction of the keeper's house. Ownership transferred to Parks Canada in 2006, and the lighthouse was refurbished in 2019.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides vessels through the Strait of Georgia, particularly ferry traffic near Active Pass, and its inclusion in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve highlights its navigational and heritage value.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q White
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
White
Raw Code
Q W
Focal Height
15.5m
Geographic Range
12NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1987
Heritage Status
Parks Canada (Gulf Islands National Park Reserve) 2006

Significant events: light automated after kerosene explosion killed keeper and destroyed keeper's house in 1964, ownership transferred to Parks Canada in 2006, repainted and refurbished in 2019

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Mayne(1.5 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-411

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
wood

Structure: square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern and gallery painted red

Location

City
Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
British Columbia
Sea Region
eastern end of Prevost Island, about 5 miles south of Active Pass, visible from ferries crossing the Strait of Georgia from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
Latitude
48.8275°
Longitude
-123.3518°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Portlock 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 Portlock Point Lighthouse at night?+
Portlock Point displays the characteristic Q White. 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 Portlock Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Portlock Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Mayne at 1.5 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Sturdee (3.3 NM NNE), Ganges (5.9 NM WNW), Salt Spring Island (6 NM WNW), Lyall Harbor (6.2 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Portlock Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Portlock 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.
What shipping routes pass near Portlock Point Lighthouse?+
Portlock Point Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Portlock Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Portlock 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.