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Thunder Cape Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇨🇦Unorganized Thunder Bay District, CAOperational

Located on Thunder Cape in Canada, this active lighthouse emits a white flash every four seconds. Its focal plane is 10.5 meters above the water, providing visibility over a significant distance. The surrounding grounds are open to visitors, offering expansive views of the water and coastline, though the tower itself is closed to the public. Its position on this landform marks a critical point along the Canadian coast. The continuous operation of this lighthouse underscores the ongoing need for reliable guidance for vessels in the region.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides vessels navigating the waters around Thunder Cape, assisting in safe passage past the landmass, especially during challenging weather conditions.

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
10.5m
Geographic Range
10.5NM
City
Unorganized Thunder Bay District
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
Thunder Cape, Canada
Latitude
48.3018°
Longitude
-88.9385°
Nearest Port
Thunder Bay(12.1 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-1086

Structure: Thunder Cape Lighthouse, perched on the dramatic and often windswept Thunder Cape in Canada, continues its essential service to mariners. As an active aid to navigation, it projects a clear white flash every four seconds, a consistent signal cutting through the darkness or haze to guide vessels. The lighthouse's focal plane, positioned at 10.5 meters above the water, ensures its light is visible across a considerable distance, assisting ships in navigating the complex coastal environment. While the surrounding site is open for visitors to explore the natural beauty and rugged landscape of the cape, offering expansive views of the water and distant shores, the tower itself remains closed to public access. Its strategic location on this prominent landform suggests its historical and ongoing importance in marking a critical point along the Canadian coastline, helping to steer ships safely past potential hazards or into designated shipping routes. The enduring operation of Thunder Cape Lighthouse highlights the continuous need for reliable maritime guidance in this region, ensuring the safety of those who travel these waters.

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Thunder Cape Lighthouse at night?+
Thunder Cape displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. 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 Thunder Cape Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Thunder Cape Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Fort William at 13.2 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Port Arthur (13.2 NM WNW), Thunder Bay (13.2 NM WNW), Grand Portage (36.6 NM SW), Red Rock (46.8 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Thunder Cape Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Thunder Cape 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 Thunder Cape Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Thunder Cape 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.