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Sambro Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇨🇦Sambro, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sambro Lighthouse

Constructed in 1758, Sambro Lighthouse is an octagonal stone tower originally faced with wood shingles. It stands 25 meters tall, with the light positioned 43 meters above sea level. The tower was extended by 6.5 meters in 1906, the same year a first-order Fresnel lens was installed. This lens was removed in 1968. The lighthouse, painted with red and white horizontal bands, features a DCB-36 aerobeacon. It has a geographic range of 17.6 nautical miles and emits a white flash every 5 seconds. The structure underwent a major restoration in 1998 and was converted to solar power in 2007.

Why it matters: As the oldest active lighthouse in the Americas, Sambro Lighthouse holds significant historical and heritage value for Canada.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
43m
Geographic Range
17.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1758

Significant events: Tower extended 6.5 m in 1906, 1st order Fresnel lens installed in 1906, 1st order Fresnel lens removed in 1968, major restoration in 1998, took a direct hit from Hurricane Juan in September 2003, Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society expressed serious concern in late 2005, Coast Guard announced it could no longer rely on underwater power cable in 2007, light converted to solar power in 2007, foghorn deactivated in 2007, Nova Scotia legislature passed a resolution censuring the Coast Guard in November 2007, larger solar power system installed in early 2008, foghorn reactivated in early 2008, keeper's house destroyed by fire on September 14, 2008

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Halifax(13.4 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-442
Wikidata
Q28375825 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
25m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
stone, wood

Structure: octagonal stone tower, faced with wood shingles, with lantern and gallery; DCB-36 aerobeacon

Location

City
Sambro
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
Canada
Latitude
44.4368°
Longitude
-63.5633°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Sambro Lighthouse at night?+
Sambro 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 Sambro Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sambro Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Bald Rock at 1.8 NM to the N. Other ports served include Prospect (9.6 NM W), Halifax (12.8 NM N), Minesville (17 NM NNE), Bedford (17.6 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sambro Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sambro 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 Sambro Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sambro 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.