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White Head Island Lighthouse

🇨🇦Dover, CAOperational

Also known as: White Head Island (Whitehaven Harbour)

A cylindrical concrete tower, standing 9 meters tall, was built in 1978 and attached to a one-story fog-signal building. This structure replaced earlier lights that first guided mariners in 1854. The focal height of the light is 18 meters, and it has a geographic range of 12.7 nautical miles. The light became inactive in 2018 and was moved to a skeletal tower. The original keeper's house has been demolished. The site is open to the public, though the tower is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's history, marked by a succession of structures since 1854, demonstrates the ongoing need for navigational aids off Whitehead Harbour.

Focal Height
18m
Geographic Range
12.7NM
Year Built
1978
First Lit
1854

Significant events: Station established 1854, original lighthouse replaced 1934, fiberglass tower installed 1970, present lighthouse built 1978, keeper's house demolished, light became inactive 2018, light moved to skeletal tower 2018

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
cylindrical

Structure: square cylindrical tower attached to a 1-story fog-signal building

City
Dover
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
on the southwest side of Whitehead Island off Whitehead Harbour, Nova Scotia
Latitude
45.1970°
Longitude
-61.1367°
Nearest Port
Canso(10.4 km)
Admiralty No.
H3474
ARLHS No.
CAN-532
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Which ports and harbors does White Head Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
White Head Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Canso at 10 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Guysborough (19.6 NM NW), Arichat (19.9 NM NNE), Country Harbour (24.6 NM W), Stormont (25.3 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is White Head Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, White Head Island 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 White Head Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near White Head Island 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.