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West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

Fl W 15s🇺🇸Eastern Maine, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

Constructed in 1808, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse stands as a concrete, round tower painted with distinctive red and white bands. The structure reaches a height of 15 meters, with its light positioned 25 meters above sea level. This aid to navigation emits two white flashes every 15 seconds, visible for 14 nautical miles. The lighthouse also operates a foghorn that sounds two blasts every 30 seconds. The current tower dates from 1858, replacing the original structure. It is the easternmost light station in the contiguous United States.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, West Quoddy Head Lighthouse guides vessels through the Quoddy Narrows.

Background
West Quoddy Head, in Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec, Maine, is the easternmost point of the contiguous United States. In 1808 a lighthouse was constructed at the site to guide ships through the Quoddy Narrows. The current tower, with distinctive red-and-white stripes, was constructed in 1858 and is an active aid to navigation. The 3rd order Fresnel lens is the only 3rd order and one of only eight Fresnel lenses still in use on the Maine Coast. The light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places as West Quoddy Head Light Station on July 4, 1980.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl.(2)W. period 15s
Focal Height
25m
Geographic Range
14NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1808
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
H4162
NGA No.
11448
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q845154 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white and red
Material
concrete

Structure: White and red tower; 49. Horn: 2bl. ev. 30s (bl. 2s, si. 2s, bl. 2s, si. 24s) BERMUDA

Location

City
Eastern Maine
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
44.8151°
Longitude
-66.9506°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify West Quoddy Head Lighthouse at night?+
West Quoddy Head displays the characteristic Fl W 15s — 1 white flash every 15 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.
Which ports and harbors does West Quoddy Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Lubec at 2.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Eastport (5.2 NM NNW), Deer Island (9.1 NM N), Grand Manan (9.4 NM SE), SWF & SON INC. (14.8 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is West Quoddy Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, West Quoddy Head 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 West Quoddy Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near West Quoddy Head 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.