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Stórhöfði Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 20s🇮🇸Vestmannaeyjar, ISOperational

Location & Light Range

About Stórhöfði Lighthouse

Also known as: Stórhöfði (Heimaey)

This red lighthouse, standing 7 meters tall, was built in 1906 on the southern tip of Heimaey island, near Vestmannaeyjar. Its lantern and gallery are mounted atop a white, two-story keeper's house featuring red trim. The focal height reaches 125 meters, and its white light flashes once every 20 seconds, visible for nearly 28 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower remains closed. In November 2006, the lighthouse marked its 100th anniversary.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is important for safe passage around the southern part of Heimaey, serving as a key navigational point in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
125m
Geographic Range
27.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1906

Significant events: The 100th anniversary of the lighthouse was celebrated in November 2006

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7m
Tower Color
red

Structure: A 7m lantern and gallery, painted red, is mounted on the seaward end of a 2-story keeper's house, which is painted white with red trim.

Location

City
Vestmannaeyjar
Country
🇮🇸Iceland
Sea Region
southern tip of Heimaey
Latitude
63.3992°
Longitude
-20.2902°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Vestmannaeyjar(3.0 km)
ARLHS No.
ICE-086
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Stórhöfði Lighthouse at night?+
Stórhöfði displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 20s — 3 white flashes every 20 seconds. 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 Stórhöfði Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Stórhöfði Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 4 nearby ports. The closest is Vestmannaeyjar - høfn at 2.8 NM to the N. Other ports served include Landeyjahöfn (9.1 NM NNE), Stokkseyri (33.5 NM NW), Thorlakshofn (39.9 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Stórhöfði Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Stórhöfði 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 Stórhöfði Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Stórhöfði 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.