Skaftárós Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Skaftárós Lighthouse
This red, square pyramidal steel skeletal tower measures 19.5 meters in height, with its light positioned at 21 meters above sea level. First lit in 1911, the structure was moved to its present location at the eastern approach to the Skaftárós lagoon in 1953, having been originally installed at Rifstanga á Melrakkasléttu. The light shows a single white flash every 3 seconds, with a geographic range of 13.4 nautical miles. Access to the site is permitted, but the tower itself remains closed to the public. Vestmannaeyjar, the closest port, is located 66.1 kilometers distant.
Why it matters: This steel skeletal lighthouse, built in 1911, marks the Skaftárós lagoon entrance. Its relocation in 1953 preserved its function as a navigation aid for this remote Icelandic coast.
Light & Optic
- Flash Type
- Flashing
- Light Color
- White
- Interval
- 3s
- Raw Code
- Fl W 3s
- Focal Height
- 21m
- Geographic Range
- 13.4NM
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1911
Significant events: Relocated in 1953, originally installed at Rifstanga á Melrakkasléttu
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
Nearby Vessels
Tower & Structure
- Tower Height
- 19.5m
- Tower Shape
- square
- Tower Color
- red
- Material
- steel
Structure: square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery
Location
- Country
- 🇮🇸Iceland
- Region
- Skaftárhreppur
- Sea Region
- eastern entrance to the Skaftárós lagoon, in a remote area of the south coast about 70 km east of Vík
- Latitude
- 63.6492°
- Longitude
- -17.8292°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Vestmannaeyjar(66.1 km)
Find Skaftárós Lighthouse on the live nautical map
Plan voyages near Iceland, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.