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

Rota Lighthouse

Oc 4s🇪🇸Rota, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rota Lighthouse

This lighthouse, built in 1909, stands over Calle Gravina in Rota, Spain, marking the port's entrance. Its distinctive cylindrical structure, painted white and red, features a lantern mounted directly atop an archway rather than a traditional tower. For over seven decades, its light shone 34 meters above the water, with a geographic range of 16 nautical miles. The light produced a single white flash every 4 seconds. Operations ceased in 1980, and the light has been inactive since that year. Visitors can access the site, though the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: The Rota lighthouse is recognized for its highly unusual architecture, with the lantern integrated into an archway over a street, rather than standing as a separate tower. This design embedded the navigational aid directly into the port's urban infrastructure.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc 4s
Flash Type
Occulting
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc W 4s
Focal Height
34m
Light Range
13NM (24.1 km)
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1909

Significant events: Inactive since 1980

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white and red

Structure: A lantern is mounted atop an archway structure, situated over the Calle Gravina.

Location

City
Rota
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Andalusia
Sea Region
front of the port in Rota, Spain, over Calle Gravina
Latitude
36.6160°
Longitude
-6.3572°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Rota(1.5 km)
Admiralty No.
D2355.2
NGA No.
113-3908
ARLHS No.
SPA085
Wikidata
Q5856504 →
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Rota Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Spain, 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 far offshore can Rota Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 34 meters and a nominal range of 13 nautical miles (approximately 24.1 km), Rota 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 Rota Lighthouse at night?+
Rota displays the characteristic Oc 4s. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Rota Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rota Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Rota at 1.1 NM to the E. Other ports served include Seña (5.7 NM SSE), Cadiz (6 NM SE), SANTA MARIA (6.3 NM ESE), Puerto Real (6.6 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rota Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rota 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 Rota Lighthouse?+
Rota Lighthouse is located within the Strait of Gibraltar — the gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Rota Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rota 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.