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Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse

Fl Red 5s🇵🇹Porto, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse

A cylindrical concrete tower, standing 7 meters tall, was constructed and first lit in 2010 on the north breakwater mole at the Rio Douro estuary entrance. Painted with red and white horizontal bands, the structure has a focal height of 16 meters. The lighthouse emits a red flashing light every 5 seconds, visible for 12.2 nautical miles. It is situated near Porto, marking the northern side of the channel. The site is open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for safe navigation into and out of the Rio Douro estuary, guiding vessels along the north side of the entrance channel.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl R 5s
Focal Height
16m
Geographic Range
12.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2010

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands

Location

City
Porto
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Porto
Sea Region
new breakwater mole on the north side of the Rio Douro estuary entrance
Latitude
41.1447°
Longitude
-8.6795°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Oporto(0.7 km)
Admiralty No.
D2045.5
NGA No.
3254
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse at night?+
Rio Douro North 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 Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porto at 1.7 NM to the E. Other ports served include São Pedro da Afurada (2.2 NM ESE), Leixões (2.5 NM NNW), Matosinhos (2.5 NM NNW), Senhora da Hora (2.7 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rio Douro North 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 Rio Douro North Mole Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rio Douro North 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.