Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias in Spanish) are a group of seven volcanic islands (with many smaller islets) located off the southern coast of Morocco. The islands have been known since antiquity; they were inhabited by people related to the Berbers of North Africa before being conquered by Spain during the fifteenth century. They have been Spanish territory ever since. Today they are an autonomous region of Spain, divided into two provinces. The western province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife includes the islands of La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Tenerife; the eastern province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Located almost in the tropics, the islands are very popular tourist destinations. The Spanish word for a lighthouse is faro, but its use is generally restricted to the larger coastal light stations. Smaller lighthouses are called balizas (beacons). The navigational lights in Spain are regulated at the national level by the Comisíon de Faros, but they are operated and maintained by regional port authorities. In the Canaries, each of the two provinces has its own port authority. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. ES numbers are from the Spanish national list of lights, Libro de Faros. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 113. General Sources Libro de Faros A comprehensive web site for Spanish lighthouses, maintained by Agustín Solabre Suárez. There is a page for Faros de Canarias with photos and data for Canary Islands lighthouses. Online List of Lights - Islas Canarias Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Lighthouses in the Canary Islands Photos available from Wikimedia. Puertos de Tenerife Lighthouse information from the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (click on the "Señales Marítimas" link on the right side of the page). Palmasport For lighthouse information from the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, click on "Puertos" and then on "Ayudas Navegación - Señales Marítimas." Phares d'Afrique This page, part of Le phare à travers le monde, the web site of Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller, links to fine photos of many lighthouses of the Canaries. Spanische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.

Faros de Fuencaliente, Isla de la Palma, March 2008 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Frank Vincentz

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province Lighthouses

Isla de la Palma Lighthouses
Note: Isla de la Palma is at the northwestern corner of the archipelago, about 75 km (45 mi) northwest of Tenerife. These lighthouses are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

* Punta Cumplida 1867. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); white flash every 5 s. 34 m (112 ft) round cylindrical rubblestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. The tower is unpainted dark stone; lantern, gallery, and watch room painted white. The original 2nd order Fresnel lens is on display in the passenger terminal on the Dársena (dock) de Anaga in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tony Hisgett's photo is at right, Trabas has a fine photo of this lighthouse, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was restored in 1982 and its height was increased by 4 m (13 ft). Located at the northeastern point of the Isla de la Palma, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Barlovento (the name of the town means "windward"). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-029; ES-12990; Admiralty D2846; NGA 23780. * Arenas Blancas 1993. Active; focal plane 45.5 m (149 ft); white light occulting three times every 8 s. 38 m (125 ft) fluted round cylindrical white concrete tower with a rounded top; the light is displayed through a horizontal window at the top. 500 mm lens. 1-story keeper's house nearby. Trabas has a closeup photo, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This is a very striking modern lighthouse. Located on the Playa de Arenas Blancas, on the southeastern coast of the island, about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Mazo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-002; ES-13025; Admiralty D2849.51; NGA 23798. * Fuencaliente (1) 1903. Inactive since 1985. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) round cylindrical stone tower rising from the front of a 1-story stone keeper's house. The lighthouse was mostly rebuilt after suffering major damage in a 1939 earthquake. The original lantern was removed after deactivation. This historic lighthouse was restored around 2003 or 2004, and the present lantern was added at that time. A port authority photo shows this restoration in progress, and an April 2007 photo shows the restored building well. Tony Hisgett has a 2011 photo. Located adjacent to the new lighthouse (next entry). * Fuencaliente (2) 1985 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); three white flashes every 18 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with two horizontal red bands. Frank Vincentz's photo is at the top of this page, Marianne Perdomo has a photo, Trabas has a good photo, Lutz Hirschmann has an April 2007 closeup, and Google has a good satellite view of the station. Located at the southern tip of the island, about 13 km (8 mi) south of Los Canarios; accessible by a road with many switchbacks. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-037; ES-13030; Admiralty D2850; NGA 23800.

Faro de Punta Cumplida, Isla de la Palma, February 2011 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Tony Hisgett

* Punta Lava 1993. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 20 s. 48 m (157 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Trabas's closeup shows the remarkable modern design of this lighthouse, Michael Apel has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the southwestern coast of the island, about 2 km (1.2mi) northwest of Puerto Naos. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-042; ES-13032; Admiralty D2851; NGA 23801. Isla del Hierro Lighthouse Note: El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands and is the farthest west and south. Since this was the westernmost point of land known in classical times, Renaissance and early modern mapmakers often measured longitude eastward from the meridian of El Hierro, giving the island its alternate name "Isla del Meridiano". This lighthouse is operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Punta Orchilla 1933. Active; focal plane 132 m (433 ft); white flash every 5 s. 25 m (82 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and double gallery, rising from a 2-story square stone base, attached to a 1-story U-shaped keeper's house. 1st order Fresnel lens in use. The tower is unpainted gray stone; lantern dome is gray metallic. This is probably Spain's most remote lighthouse. Marcus Stöckl's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, a distant view by Rafael Gómez Carrera shows its lonely site, Guyomard and Carceller have a photo by David Moré Aguirre, José Gordillo Nogales has an excellent 2007 photo, Wikipedia has a Spanish page on the history of the station, and Google has a satellite view. Another page for the lighthouse says the keeper's house may be renovated as a museum or conference center. Located at the southwestern tip of the island, which was once the end of the known world for Europeans. Accessible by a 25 km (15 mi) road (at least partly unpaved) from the town of Sabinosa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-066; ES-13060; Admiralty D2836; NGA 23808.

Faro de Orchilla, Hierro, January 2005 Wikimedia Commons photo by Marcus Stöckl

Isla de la Gomera Lighthouses
Note: La Gomera, the second smallest of the islands, is located about 30 km (18 mi) off the southwestern tip of Tenerife. This light station is operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
* San Cristóbal (1)

1903. Inactive since 1978. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower, attached to the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Building painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern roof is metallic green. A closeup photo is available. Located in front of the newer lighthouse (next entry).

* San Cristóbal (2)

1978 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 84 m (276 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. 3rd order clamshell Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white with one horizontal red band below the galleries. Trabas has a closeup photo, Dirk Schmitt's closeup photo shows Tenerife in the background, and Google has a satellite view of the station. This lighthouse is a shorter version of the newer Faro de Fuencaliente on Isla de la Palma. Located atop a precipitous headland just north of San Sebastián de la Gomera, the principal town and port of the Isla de la Gomera, on the east side of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-054; ES-12950; Admiralty D2842; NGA 23812.

Isla de Tenerife Lighthouses

Note: Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Its name means "white mountain," a reference to the snows that sometimes fall atop the great volcano El Teide, which rises to a height of 3718 m (12,200 ft) and is visible in clear weather from the coast of Morocco. The lighthouses of Tenerife are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. * Abona (1) 1902. Inactive since 1976. 6 m (20 ft), lantern mounted directly on the roof at the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Building painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern roof is metallic green. The lantern is visible in a photo of the station by H.H. Schüler, and both lighthouses are seen in an October 2007 photo. Lighthouse Explorer has a photo by Xavier Leroy and reports that the building has been given to the town of Arico and is to be renovated as a restaurant school. It's clear from José Mesa's January 2009 photo that this hadn't happened yet. Located beside the newer lighthouse (next entry). * Abona (2) 1976 (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 39 m (128 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with three horizontal red bands. José Mesa's photo is at right, H.H. Schüler has a closeup photo, Guyomard and Carceller have good photos by Jean-Michel Penin, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, and Google has a fine satellite view of the station. This lighthouse is a taller version of the newer Faro de Fuencaliente on Isla de la Palma. Located on the southeastern coast of Tenerife, on a point of land about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Poris de Abona. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-022; ES-12870; Admiralty D2829; NGA 23828. * Rasca (1) 1895. Inactive since 1978. 6 m (20 ft), lantern mounted directly on the roof at the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Building painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern roof is metallic green. The light is seen in José Mesa's photo. This building is very close to the edge of the cliff; it may be endangered. Located in front of the newer lighthouse (next entry). * Rasca (2) 1978 (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. 32 m (105 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with three horizontal red bands. José Mesa has a good 2007 photo, Trabas has a distant photo, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse is a taller version of the newer Faro de Fuencaliente on Isla de la Palma. Located on the southernmost tip of Tenerife, about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Los Cristianos. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-050; ES-12890; Admiralty D2830; NGA 23832.

Faros de Abona, Tenerife, January 2009 Flickr Creative Commons photo by José Mesa

* Punta de Teno (1) 1897. Inactive since 1976. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Tower unpainted; keeper's house painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern painted white. A 2010 photo is available, and the old tower can be seen in a distant view of the site. The building has been donated to the town of Buenavista de Norte for use as a school workshop. Located in front of the newer lighthouse (next entry). * Punta de Teno (2) 1976 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 20 s. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with two horizontal red bands. Trabas has a good photo, Grethe Anæus has a photo, Wikimedia has a distant view, the Degree Confluence Project has a distant view from the sea that shows the magnificent setting of this site, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is another version of the newer Faro de Fuencaliente on Isla de la Palma. Located on the westernmost tip of Tenerife, about 11 km (7 mi) west southwest of Buenavista del Norte. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-033; ES-12920; Admiralty D2832; NGA 23840. * Buenavista 1990s. Active; focal plane 76.5 m (251 ft); four white flashes every 11 s. 40.5 m (133 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with an external spiral staircase that winds around a column in front of the main tower. A good photo of this remarkable design is available, Trabas also has an excellent photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Buenavista del Norte. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-004; ES-12925; Admiralty D2831.8; NGA 23838. * Puerto de la Cruz 1995. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 27 m (89 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with an external stairway winding around a central column, all mounted on a 1-story equipment building; there appears to be an enclosed watch room and the light is displayed from a platform atop the tower. The lighthouse is dark brown steel with white trim. Another remarkable modern design. Julian Vallejo Blázquez has contributed the photo at right, Trabas has a fine closeup, Wikimedia has Silvio Dellacqua's photo, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at a point of land on the waterfront of Puerto de la Cruz, the principal city on the north coast of Tenerife. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-020; ES-12934; Admiralty D2833; NGA 23842.

Faro del Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, July 2006 photo copyright Julian Vallejo Blázquez used by permission

* Punta del Hidalgo

1991. Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); three white flashes every 16 s. 50 m (164 ft) white masonry tower, vertical at the front but stepped irregularly in the rear, giving the tower a pyramidal form; the light is displayed from a short post at the peak of the tower. An artistic, very striking design for a lighthouse. A closeup and a second closeup are available, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront in Punta del Hidalgo, a town near the east end of the northern coast of Tenerife. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-035; ES-12945; Admiralty D2818; NGA 23854.

Punta de Anaga 1864. Active; focal plane 247 m (810 ft); six white flashes, in a 2+4 pattern, every 30 s. 21 m (69 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story keeper's house. Original 1st order Barbier & Fenestre Fresnel lens in use. Tower is unpainted stone; lantern, gallery and keeper's house painted white, with green trim on the house. A photo is at right, a closeup photo is available, Trabas has a photo by Arno Siering, and Google has a satellite view. This historic lighthouse is the traditional landfall light for Tenerife. Located at the northeastern tip of the island; accessible only by a lengthy hike. Site and tower closed. ARLHS CAI-001; ES-12630; Admiralty D2820; NGA 23852. * Santa Cruz de Tenerife Muelle Sur ("Farola del Mar") 1863. Inactive since 1954 (a decorative light is probably displayed). 6 m (20 ft) hexagonal wood tower (covered by vinyl siding?) with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery gray. C.W. Bash has a photo, a fine closeup is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and the tower appears indistinctly in a Google satellite view. The little lighthouse has been nicely restored; a 5th order (?) Fresnel lens is mounted in the lantern. Located on the waterfront of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the provincial capital, near the ferry terminals. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-076. * Santa Cruz de Tenerife Dique del Sur Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 5 m (17 ft) round tower with a flared top, painted red. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. There is a street along the breakwater, so the light is probably accessible by car or by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2822; NGA 23868.

Faro de Anaga, Tenerife Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife photo

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Province Lighthouses

Isla de Gran Canaria Lighthouses
Note: Gran Canaria, the second largest of the islands, is located in the center of the group. The island is approximately circular with a diameter of about 50 km (30 mi). Its lighthouses are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The authority's web site has data and small photos for each lighthouse.

* Punta Sardina (2) 1985 (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with horizontal red bands below the galleries; lantern dome is unpainted gray metal. Toni Teror's photo is at right, Juan Francisco Marrero has a good photo, Trabas has a closeup, Guillermo Vega has a December 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the northwestern corner of the island, about 2 km (1.2 mi) northwest of the town of Sardina. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-055; ES-12610; Admiralty D2816; NGA 23928. * La Isleta (2) Date unknown (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 249 m (817 ft); four white flashes, in a 1+3 pattern, every 20 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery mounted atop a 2-story keeper's house; the total height of the structure must be more than 10 m. Building painted white; gallery rail painted yellow. Trabas has a distant photo, Wikimedia has a view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. La Isleta is a mountainous peninsula extending northward from the city of Las Palmas. Located atop a volcanic dome about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of the harbor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at the northeastern corner of the island. Site status unknown; the shortage of photos suggests that this area may not be open to the public. ARLHS CAI-008; ES-12230; Admiralty D2798; NGA 23932. Dique de Léon y Castillo (Dique del Generalissimo Franco) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal stone tower; dark stone alternates with painted white horizontal bands. There is a small gallery, but no lantern. Trabas has an excellent photo by Capt. Peter Mosselberger, C.W. Bash also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light is on the mole at the southern end of the container ship terminal of Puerto de la Luz, the main harbor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. (The pier was formerly named for Generalissimo Francisco Franco, who was the governor of the Canary Islands before he became dictator of Spain.) Site status unknown. ARLHS CAI-060; ES-12300; Admiralty D2801.2; NGA 23956. * Punta de Melenara Date unknown. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and double gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo, a 2007 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks a prominent cape on the east side of the island; white flashes are shown for southbound ships and red flashes for northbound ships. Located about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Telde. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-057; ES-12455; Admiralty D2807.5; NGA 23990.

Faro de Punta Sardina, Gran Canaria, November 2010 Flickr Creative Commons photo by Toni Teror

* Arinaga (1)

1897. Inactive. 6 m (20 ft), lantern mounted directly on the roof at the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. The building is unpainted and appears to be abandoned. Antonio Torres has a photo, and a photo by José R. Sánchez shows a truncated view of the first two Arinaga lighthouses. Site open, tower closed.

* Arinaga (2)

Date unknown (station established 1897). Inactive since 1984. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, attached to one end of the original keeper's house. Lantern removed; tower unpainted. Pedro Afonso has a closeup photo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-062.

* Arinaga (3) 1984 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); three flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with horizontal red bands below the galleries. Solabre has a good photo, another closeup photo is available, Trabas has a photo, Wikimedia has a photo, and Google has a satellite view of the station. Located on a promontory at Playa de Arinaga, on the southeast coast of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-024; ES-12510; Admiralty D2812; NGA 24008. * Maspalomas 1890. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 13 s. 56 m (184 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to one corner of a 2-story keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted blue-gray stone; keeper's house painted white with unpainted stone trim. A 2008 photo by Rüdiger Marmulla is at right, an excellent closeup photo is available, Trabas also has a closeup, Wikimedia has numerous photos, Huelse has a postcard photo, and Google has a satellite view. This great lighthouse marks the southern tip of the Isla de Gran Canaria and is one of the island's best known tourist attractions. The surrounding area of sand dunes interspersed with wetlands is a protected nature reserve. Located about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of the town of Maspalomas. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas. ARLHS CAI-018; ES-12520; Admiralty D2814; NGA 24012. ** Puerto Rico West Breakwater (2?) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two quick red flashes every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) post light surrounded by a square skeletal tower supporting a spiral stairway. André Amrein has a good photo, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. NGA lists a 4 m (13 ft) masonry tower for this location, and the satellite view does not show the spiral stairway, so this light has probably been modified recently. Located at the end of the west breakwater at a pleasure craft marina in Puerto Rico, about 25 km (15 mi) northwest of Maspalomas. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, and there doesn't appear to be any obstacle to climbing the tower. Admiralty D2815.7; NGA 24022. * Puerto de Mogán Date unknown (modern). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three red flashes every 8.5 s. 6 m (20 ft) trapezoidal tower mounted on the flat roof of a circular 1-story restaurant. Building and tower painted white, but there are narrow red horizontal bands around the lower half of the tower, and the lantern roof is also red. Santiago Ojeda has a 2007 photo, Trabas also has a good photo, and a view from across the harbor is available. Located at the end of the breakwater at Puerto de Mogán, the only protected harbor on the southwestern coast of Gran Canaria. Site and restaurant open, tower closed. Site manager: Restaurante El Faro. ARLHS CAI-061; Admiralty D2815.96; NGA 24023.

Faro de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, March 2008 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Rüdiger Marmulla

* Punta del Castillete

1996. Active; focal plane 114 m (374 ft); white flash every 5 s. 21 m (69 ft) square cylindrical tower with three galleries but no lantern, mounted on a 2-story square base; access to the galleries is by an external stairway that winds around the tower. A closeup photo is available, Wikimedia has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This somewhat ungainly modern lighthouse marks the southwestern corner of the island. Located atop a steep hill just northwest of Puerto de Mogán; accessible by by a stiff climb from the marina. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-006; ES-12607; Admiralty D2815.94; NGA 24023.7.

Isla de Fuerteventura Lighthouses
Note: Fuerteventura is the Canary Island closest to the mainland of Africa, lying barely 80 km (50 mi) west northwest of Cape Juby in southern Morocco. The island is about 100 km (60 mi) long and up to 31 km (20 mi) wide. These lighthouses are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The authority's web site has data and small photos for each lighthouse.

* Punta Jandía (2)

Date unknown (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 4 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted stone; keeper's house painted white with unpainted stone trim; the lantern is all glass, even the dome. Trabas has a closeup, Guyomard and Carceller have posted a photo by Eric Valenne, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Caution: the name "Faro de Jandía" is often applied to the Morro Jable lighthouse (see below). Located at the end of a barren peninsula at the extreme southwestern tip of the island; accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-040; ES-12210; Admiralty D2790; NGA 24024.

* Punta Pesebre

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 5 m (16 ft) square equipment room with the light mounted on a bracket on the front. Solabre has a photo, Trabas has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the northern tip of the peninsula at the extreme southwestern end of the island; accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-067; ES-12212; Admiralty D2791; NGA 24026.

* Tostón (Punta de la Ballena) (1) 1897. Inactive since the 1950s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story masonry keeper's house; the lantern has lost its dome and is in ruins. A photo is at right, another good photo is available, and all three Tostón light towers can also be seen in the photo posted by Trabas. * Tostón (Punta de la Ballena) (2) 1950s (station established 1897). Inactive since about 1986. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal concrete tower with gallery, unpainted; lantern removed. A photo is at right, another good photo is available, and this tower can also be seen in Solabre's photo. * Tostón (Punta de la Ballena) (3) 1986(?) (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 8 s. 30 m (98 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with horizontal red bands below the galleries; lantern dome is metallic gray. A photo is at right, another good closeup is available, Trabas has a photo, Wikimedia has Alex Castellá's photo and numerous other photos, Guyomard and Carceller have good photos by Eric Valenne, and Google has a good satellite view of the station. Located on the northwestern corner of Fuerteventura, about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of El Cotillo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-058; ES-12220; Admiralty D2792; NGA 24040. Punta Martiño (Islote de Lobos) 1865. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story stone keeper's house. Tower unpainted; building painted white with stone trim; lantern is metallic gray. A closeup photo is available, Solabre has a somewhat distant photo of the station, Trabas also has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. The Isla (or Islote) de Lobos is a 468 ha (1160 acre) island located off the northeastern tip of Fuerteventura. The entire island has been protected since 1982 as a nature preserve, but most of it is open to visitors. Boat transportation is available from Corralejo on the north coast of Fuerteventura. Located on the northeastern tip of the island, marking the south side of the Bocaina Channel separating Fuerteventura from Lanzarote. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Parque Natural Islote de Lobos. ARLHS CAI-005; ES-12140; Admiralty D2786; NGA 24044.

Faros de Tostón, Fuerteventura, August 2006 Flickr Creative Commons photo by Martinella

* Gaviota (Puerto del Rosario)

1992. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); white flash every 5 s. 43 m (141 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story circular base. Entire lighthouse is white concrete or painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Solabre has a photo, Trabas has a good closeup, and Google has a satellite view. This is the landfall light for Puerto del Rosario, the principal town and port of the Isla de Fuerteventura. Located on the Punta Gaviota on the east side of Puerto del Rosario. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-064; ES-12165; Admiralty D2793.5; NGA 24034.

* Punta La Entellada (Punta Lantailla) 1955. Active; focal plane 196 m (643 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 18 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical rubblestone tower with lantern, rising from a U-shaped 1- and 2-story keeper's complex. This lighthouse has a striking appearance, being built of dark brown stones cemented together with a white mortar; the lantern is all glass, even the dome. Alistair Young's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo, Guyomard and Carceller have excellent photos by Eric Valenne, Solabre also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 6 km (3.5 mi) east of Las Playitas on the southeast coast of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-041; ES-12190; Admiralty D2795; NGA 24032. * Morro Jable (Jandía) 1991. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 59 m (194 ft) round white concrete (?) tower with lantern and gallery; a 2-story "watch room" section under the gallery is entirely enclosed by windows. Lighthouse is white; the lantern dome is glass. Eduardo Martín Blasco has a photo, a 2007 closeup is available, Trabas has a photo of the lighthouse in action, Guyomard and Carceller have fine photos by Eric Valenne, Wikimedia has several photos, and Google has a satellite view. Morro Jable is a popular resort town at the southernmost point of the island. Located on the beach, near the resorts. Accessible by road. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS CAI-016; ES-12198; Admiralty D2796.5; NGA 24027.

Faro de Punta la Entallada, Fuerteventura, June 2007 Flickr Creative Commons photo by Alistair Young

Isla de Lanzarote Lighthouses

Note: Lanzarote, at the northeastern corner of the Canary Islands, is about 60 km (38 mi) long and up to 25 km (15 mi) wide. These lighthouses are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. * Pechiguera (1) 1866. Inactive since 1988. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story stone keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern dome is metallic gray. The lighthouse appears in the photo at right. The building is sealed and appears to be abandoned. ARLHS CAI-069. * Pechiguera (2) 1988 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 50 m (164 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is metallic gray. José Manuel's photo is at right, Guyomard and Carceller have photos, Trabas has a good photo of the station, and Google has a satellite view of the station. This lighthouse stands on the southwesternmost point of Lanzarote, marking the north side of the Bocaina Channel separating Fuerteventura from Lanzarote. Located about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Baja Montaña. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CAI-047; ES-12129; Admiralty D2782; NGA 24048. Punta Delgada (Isla de Alegranza) 1865. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising through the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. The tower is unpainted gray stone; lantern dome is gray metallic; house painted white with unpainted trim. An excellent photo is available, Solabre also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Isla de Alegranza is the northernmost land of the Canary Islands, located about 25 km (15 mi) north of Lanzarote. Most of the island is occupied by the caldera of a dormant volcano. Boat transportation to Alegranza is available from Órzola at the northern end of Lanzarote. Lighthouse located at the northeastern point of the island. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Parque Natural de Archipiélago Chinijo. ARLHS CAI-034; ES-12000; Admiralty D2772; NGA 24076.

Faros de Pechiguera, Lanzarote, November 2008 Flickr Creative Commons photo by José Manuel

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Madeira | East: Morocco's Atlantic Coast

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Posted January 15, 2006. Checked and revised September 23, 2012. Lighthouses: 43. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.