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Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇵🇹Vila Real de Santo António, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse

This concrete cylindrical tower stands 5 meters tall, with its focal plane at 10 meters above sea level. It displays a red light with a single flash every 3 seconds, visible for 10.4 nautical miles. Painted with horizontal red and white bands, it replaced a previous skeletal tower. The lighthouse is situated on the west breakwater at the mouth of the Rio Guadiana, which serves as the border between Portugal and Spain. The site is open to the public, though access to the tower itself is restricted.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the western breakwater and the international border at the mouth of the Rio Guadiana, providing a critical visual cue for safe river entry.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Construction & History

Significant events: Replaced a skeletal tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
concrete

Structure: round tower painted with red and white horizontal bands

Location

City
Vila Real de Santo António
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Region
Faro
Sea Region
Located on the west breakwater at the mouth of the Rio Guadiana, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain.
Latitude
37.1633°
Longitude
-7.3998°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Vila Real de Santo Antonio(2.1 km)
Admiralty No.
D2249
NGA No.
3800
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse at night?+
Rio Guadiana West Mole displays the characteristic Fl Red 3s. 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 Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Vila Real de Santo António at 2 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include VILA REAL ST ANTONIO (2.4 NM NNW), Ayamonte (2.9 NM N), ISLA CRISTINA (4 NM ENE), Santa Luzia (12.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rio Guadiana 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 Rio Guadiana West Mole Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rio Guadiana 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.