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São Jorge Lighthouse

LFl White 5s🇵🇹Santana, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About São Jorge Lighthouse

The São Jorge lighthouse, built in 1959, stands on the Ponta de São Jorge on Madeira's central north coast. This 14-meter cylindrical concrete tower features eight ribs and a red-domed lantern with a gallery. It is attached to a one-story keeper's complex. The lighthouse emits a long white flash every 5 seconds, visible for over 38 nautical miles. Its focal plane is 271 meters above sea level. The structure is unpainted concrete. The nearest port, Machico, is 10.3 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for vessels navigating the central north coast of Madeira, marking the Ponta de São Jorge headland. Its design is shared with other lighthouses in the Azores.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
LFl White 5s
Flash Type
Long Flash
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
LFl W 5s
Focal Height
271m
Geographic Range
38.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1959

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Machico(10.3 km)
ARLHS No.
MAD-008

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
concrete
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with eight ribs, lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's complex, Tower is unpainted concrete; lantern dome painted red

Location

City
Santana
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Sea Region
Ponta de São Jorge on the central north coast of the Ilha da Madeira
Latitude
32.8346°
Longitude
-16.9063°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify São Jorge Lighthouse at night?+
São Jorge displays the characteristic LFl 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 São Jorge Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
São Jorge Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porto da Cruz at 5.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Caniçal (10.5 NM SE), Machico (10.7 NM SE), Funchal, Madeira (11.4 NM S), Câmara de Lobos (12.5 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is São Jorge Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, São Jorge 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 São Jorge Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near São Jorge 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.