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Portofino Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇮🇹Portofino, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Portofino Lighthouse

Constructed in 1917, this cylindrical masonry tower measures 12 meters in height and is situated on a steep promontory overlooking the town of Portofino. The lighthouse, operational since 1917, features a white light with a characteristic of Fl W 5s. Its focal height is 40 meters, providing a visible range of 17.1 nautical miles. The building consists of a square tower with a lantern and gallery, joined to a two-story keeper's dwelling. While the site is accessible to visitors, the tower is not. It is positioned 0.4 kilometers from the Portofino harbor.

Why it matters: This navigation aid marks the headland at the entry to Portofino's protected harbor, assisting vessels navigating the promontory.

Background
Portofino Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located in Portofino, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Liguria, northern Italy, on the western extremity of the peninsula in the Gulf of Tigullio.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
40m
Light Range
16NM (29.6 km)
Geographic Range
17.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1917

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
masonry

Structure: square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 2-story masonry keeper's house

Location

City
Portofino
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Liguria
Sea Region
The famous resort town of Portofino is located behind the shelter of a steep promontory, with this lighthouse on the point.
Latitude
44.2987°
Longitude
9.2184°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Portofino(0.4 km)
Admiralty No.
E1244
NGA No.
113-7636
ARLHS No.
ITA131
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q28376103 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Portofino Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 40 meters and a nominal range of 16 nautical miles (approximately 29.6 km), Portofino is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Portofino Lighthouse at night?+
Portofino displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Portofino Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Portofino Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Portofino at 0.4 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Santa Margherita Ligure (1.9 NM N), Rapallo (2.8 NM NNE), Camogli (4.3 NM NW), Chiavari (4.5 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Portofino Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Portofino 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 Portofino Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Portofino 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.