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Ribeirinha Lighthouse

Fl White 20s🇵🇹Ribeirinha, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ribeirinha Lighthouse

The Ribeirinha Lighthouse, a square masonry tower built in 1919, stands at the northeastern tip of an island, approximately 3 kilometers east of the town of Ribeirinha. Originally 14 meters tall with a focal height of 136 meters, it exhibited a white flash every 20 seconds. The structure, which included a gallery and was attached to a keeper's house, suffered damage from an earthquake in 1973 and was severely impacted by another tremor on July 9, 1998. Since 1998, the lighthouse has been inactive, with its lantern removed. Work to clear debris occurred in 2009, and a restoration project was announced in 2017, though significant progress had not been observed by August 2021. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: The Ribeirinha Lighthouse's ruined structure represents a tangible link to early 20th-century maritime infrastructure. Ongoing restoration efforts highlight its cultural value and community dedication to heritage.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
136m
Light Range
12NM (22.2 km)
Geographic Range
28.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1919

Significant events: Damaged by an earthquake in 1973, severely damaged by another earthquake on 9 July 1998, inactive since 1998, lantern removed, work in 2009 to clear debris, restoration project announced in 2017, no work carried out by August 2021

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with unpainted stone trim
Material
masonry

Structure: ruined square masonry tower with gallery, formerly attached to a 1-story keeper's house

Location

City
Ribeirinha
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Sea Region
northeastern tip of the island, about 3 km east of Ribeirinha
Latitude
38.5957°
Longitude
-28.6024°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Horta(3.7 km)
Admiralty No.
D2692
NGA No.
23344
ARLHS No.
AZO-020
Wikidata
Q10280126 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Ribeirinha Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 136 meters and a nominal range of 12 nautical miles (approximately 22.2 km), Ribeirinha is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Ribeirinha Lighthouse at night?+
Ribeirinha displays the characteristic Fl White 20s. 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 Ribeirinha Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ribeirinha Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Horta at 4 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Madalena (Madalena do Pico) (4.9 NM SE), Capelo (8.5 NM W), Cais do Pico (13.9 NM ESE), Velas (19.4 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ribeirinha Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ribeirinha 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 Ribeirinha Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ribeirinha 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.