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Whitehead Island Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇨🇦Argyle Municipal District, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Whitehead Island Lighthouse

Also known as: Whitehead Island (Argyle)

The current Whitehead Island Lighthouse, built in 1951, stands 12 meters tall and emits a white flash every 15 seconds from a focal height of 30 meters. This cylindrical white tower, distinguished by two horizontal red bands, replaced an earlier structure that burned down after being struck by lightning. The original station was established in 1874. In 1986, a keeper's house was moved from the site to Pubnico Harbour. Recent work in 2017 involved removing the fog signal building and repainting the tower. The lighthouse guides vessels at the entrance to Argyle Bay, with a geographic range of 15.3 nautical miles.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is significant for vessels navigating the entrance to Argyle Bay, Nova Scotia.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
30m
Geographic Range
15.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1951

Significant events: original lighthouse burned in 1951 after being struck by lightning, keeper's house relocated to Pubnico Harbour in 1986, fog signal building removed and lighthouse repainted in 2017

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Lower east pubnico(5.1 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-533

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with two red horizontal bands

Structure: square cylindrical tower formerly rising from one corner of 1-story fog signal building

Location

City
Argyle Municipal District
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
Whitehead Island, in the mouth of Argyle Bay, Nova Scotia
Latitude
43.6630°
Longitude
-65.8676°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Whitehead Island Lighthouse at night?+
Whitehead Island displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. 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 Whitehead Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Whitehead Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Lower Argyle at 4.5 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Lower east pubnico (5.1 NM SE), Lower Woods Harbour (10.5 NM SSE), Shag harbour (12.4 NM SE), Barrington (14.3 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Whitehead Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Whitehead 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 Whitehead Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Whitehead 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.