St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse

White🇨🇦St. Paul Island, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse

The St. Paul Island North Point lighthouse is an octagonal concrete tower, 14 meters high, painted white with a red lantern. First lit in 1839, the current structure was built in 1962. It is situated on a rocky islet off the northeastern end of St. Paul Island, marking the southern entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the Atlantic. The lighthouse ceased operations in 2015. By May 2024, the station was reported to be in ruins.

Why it matters: The lighthouse was indispensable for maritime traffic entering the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the Atlantic, guiding ships through a notoriously difficult passage. Its strategic placement addressed a critical navigational need in a region prone to severe weather.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
White
Light Color
White

Construction & History

Year Built
1962
First Lit
1839

Significant events: Inactive since 2015, station in ruins by May 2024

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ingonish(33.6 km)
ARLHS No.
STP-002

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete tower, with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red

Location

City
St. Paul Island
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
Southern entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the Atlantic, on a rocky islet off the northeastern end of St. Paul Island
Latitude
47.2264°
Longitude
-60.1401°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?

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St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 4 nearby ports. The closest is Dingwall at 23.7 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Ingonish (33.6 NM SSW), Cape Ray (42 NM NE), Channel-Port aux Basques (45.1 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.

Is St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?

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Yes, St. Paul Island North Point 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 St. Paul Island North Point Lighthouse?

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You can track vessels near St. Paul Island North Point 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.

What is the St. Paul Island North Point lighthouse used for?

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It is a fixed navigational aid on the coast at St. Paul Island, Canada. Mariners identify it by its light characteristic — the pattern, colour and timing of its flashes — which is unique among the lights in its area, so a bearing on it fixes a vessel’s position without instruments.