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Whitehead Island Lighthouse

Occ G 4s🇺🇸Southern Maine, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Whitehead Island Lighthouse

The lighthouse on Whitehead Island emits a green light. Its focal plane stands 23 meters above sea level. The current tower was constructed in 1852, designed by Alexander Parris. This light station is situated at the southwestern entrance to Penobscot Bay, marking the Muscle Ridge Channel. The property is now managed by Pine Island Camp, which offers public stays and rentals.

Why it matters: Established in 1804, Whitehead Light is one of Maine's oldest light stations and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Whitehead Light is a lighthouse on Whitehead Island, on Muscle Ridge Channel, in the southwestern entrance to Penobscot Bay, Maine. It is in the town of St.George. Established in 1804, it is one of Maine's oldest light stations, with its present tower built in 1852 to a design attributed to Alexander Parris. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Whitehead Light Station on March 14, 1988. The property is now owned by not for profit Pine Island Camp. Whitehead light station offers to the public various stays at the light station from getaway weekends to learning retreats and renting the station as a vacation home. The light itself remains an active aid to navigation, maintained by the United States Coast Guard.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ G 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Focal Height
23m

Location

City
Southern Maine
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
43.9786°
Longitude
-69.1244°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Heritage Status
2

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q1541848 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Whitehead Island Lighthouse at night?+
Whitehead Island displays the characteristic Occ G 4s — 1 green flash every 4 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 green 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 SPRUCE HEAD at 2 NM to the N. Other ports served include Saint George (3.4 NM NW), Tenants Harbour (4.3 NM WSW), THOMASTON (6.2 NM NNW), Rockland (7.4 NM N). 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.