Lighthouses of Madagascar

Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, lies off the southeastern coast of Africa. The island became a French colony in 1885 but has been independent since 1960. Long separated from any continent, Madagascar is famous for its unusual plants and wildlife. The lighthouses of Madagascar, a heritage from France, deserve more attention than they have received in the past. The lack of photos is disappointing, since many of the lighthouses are accessible near coastal towns. Current reports are needed; it appears that many of the historic coastal lights have been abandoned, although harbor lights are being maintained. French place names in Madagascar have been replaced officially by names in the Malagasy language. However, the traditional French names also remain in common use. Lighthouses in Madagascar are operated by the Agence Portuaire Maritime & Fluviale (APMF). ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112. General Sources Leuchttürme This German-language pdf file, posted by Dilag Tours, has photos of many Madagascar lighthouses. Phares d'Afrique Photos posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller on their Phares du Monde web site. Afrikanische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.

Phare de Katsepy: photo by Luc Schaepelynck courtesy of Le Phare à Travers le Monde, posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller

Mahajanga Province (Northwest Coast) Lighthouses
Maintirano

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); continuous white light. 12 m (39 ft) white octagonal tower. No photo available; Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located in Maintirano, a seaport on the "bulge" of Madagascar's central west coast. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-011; Admiralty D7032; NGA 32620.

*** Katsepy

1901. Active; focal plane 121 m (397 ft); white flash every 5 s. 36 m (118 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and three galleries. Tower painted white; lantern, upper two galleries and watch room painted black. A photo appears at the top of this page, a distant view from the sea is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This historic tower, prefabricated in France, is probably Madagascar's best known and most visited lighthouse. It stands atop a high cliff, providing what one tourist site calls a vue panoramique inégalable. Pierre Marchand's 2006 photo shows the lighthouse freshly repainted. Located at the western entrance to the Baie de Bombetoka, the best harbor of Madagascar's west coast, about 7 km (4.5 mi) north of Katsepy. Katsepy is connected by ferry to the provincial capital, Mahajanga (Majunga). Site open, tower open for climbing. ARLHS MAG-016; Admiralty D7034; NGA 32640.

* Pointe de Sable

1900. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cast iron tower with tapered base, four ribs, lantern, and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery black. Gilles Hosch has a 2008 photo, Klaus Huelse has another historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is a typical French prefabricated tourelle. It has been repainted recently and seems to be in good condition. Located on the west side of the older Mahajanga harbor, marking the entrance from the Baie de Bombetoka; a map is available. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-034; Admiralty D7037; NGA 32644.

* Anorombato

1900. Active; focal plane 42 m (137 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern black. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is probably very similar to the Pointe de Sable Light, which was built in the same year. Located on the point of land opposite the Katsepy lighthouse, marking the east side of the entrance to the Baie de Bombetoka, on the northwest side of Mahajanga (Majunga). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-021; Admiralty D7036; NGA 32652.

* Analalava

1910. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern black. Justin Lau has a 2006 closeup photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. Located on the waterfront at Analalava. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-020; Admiralty D7048; NGA 32672.

** Nosy Lava

1910. Active (?); focal plane 122 m (400 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands. Frédéric Bastat has a 2006 photo in which the lighthouse appears to be in poor condition, so it may not be active. The island of Nosy Lava is about 15 km (10 mi) off the coast and about 25 km (15 mi) northwest of Analalava. Tours are available from Analalava. Located at the highest point of the island. Site open, tower open to tours. ARLHS MAG-014; Admiralty D7052; NGA 32680.

Antsiranana Province (Northern Madagascar) Lighthouses
** Nosy Iranja

1909. Inactive. 20 m (66 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower previously painted white, lantern black. The tower is showing two horizontal brown bands; these are former black bands reappearing through the white paint. The keeper's house is in use as a school. Jonny Stensby has a 2007 photo, and Diego Rassiga also has a photo. A December 2005 visitor has a photo and reports that the stairway is becoming hazardous. The lighthouse was prefabricated in France by the firm of Gustave Eiffel. Nosy Iranja is a resort island located off the Ampasindava Peninsula about 55 km (35 mi) north of Anorotsanga; the lighthouse is one of the listed attractions of the island. Located at the highest point of the island. Site open, tower open but rather dangerous. ARLHS MAG-013; Admiralty D7056; NGA 32684.

** Tanikely (2)

1908 (station established 1884). Inactive. 10 m (33 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black horizontal band below the gallery, lantern painted black. A 2007 photo and a closeup of the lantern are available, and Google has a satellite view. In a note with another photo, the lighthouse is described as hors service, out of service. Located on a small island about 15 km (9 mi) south of Hell-Ville, between Nosy Bé and the mainland. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-038; Admiralty D7058; NGA 32688.

Nosy Vorona (3)

Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white or red depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) white square concrete (?) tower with gallery but no lantern. Modern keeper's house complex; the keeper rents rooms to tourists. Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island halfway between Nosy Bé and Nosy Komba. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-032; Admiralty D7062; NGA 32692.

Nosy Faly 1939. Active; focal plane 75 m (246 ft); continuous light, white or red depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) gray octagonal tower. No photo available. Located on a small island about 8 km (5 mi) north of the Ambato Peninsula and 20 km (13 mi) east of Nosy Bé. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-030; Admiralty D7068; NGA 32716. Nosy Anambo 1911. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. 27 m (89 ft) skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. No photo available. Located on a small island about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Cap Saint-Sébastien, near the northern tip of Madagascar. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-028; Admiralty D7072; NGA 32728. Cap d'Ambre (2) Date unknown (station established 1904). Reactivated (inactive late 1990s- ca. 2007); focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white flash every 5 s. 32 m (105 ft) 12-sided concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is unpainted white concrete; lantern and gallery painted black. A 1st or 2nd order clamshell Fresnel lens is in use. Alphonse Randrianasolo's photo is at right, and Google has a good satellite view. A closeup photo (at the bottom of the page) revealed a lighthouse in poor condition, with broken glass in the lantern. However, this is one of several lighthouses renovated in recent years, according to the Someah consulting firm, and a 2008 photo shows the results of the restoration. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the original lighthouse, a cast iron tower very similar to the Phare de Katsepy shown above. Located at the northern tip of Madagascar. Adventure excursions from Antsiranana (Diego-Suarez) reach the site. Site open if you reach it, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-003; Admiralty D6914; NGA 32328. Nosy Langoro (Îlot des Aigrettes) 1898. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 1 s off, 1 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft), lantern mounted atop a small 1-story keeper's house. House is white; lantern painted black. No current photo available, but Huelse has a historic postcard view and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is located on a small island in the middle of Antsiranana Bay, a large bay in northeastern Madagascar. Ships make a turn from west to south southwest near the island to approach the port of Antsiranana (formerly called Diego-Suarez), and the light shows white sectors to define both channels. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower probably closed. ARLHS MAG-031; Admiralty D6920; NGA 32332.

Phare de Cap d'Ambre photo by Alphonse Randrianasolo courtesy of Le Phare à Travers le Monde, posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller

* Antsiranana Port

1960s. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the front of the 2-story port office. Building painted white, lantern black. An aerial photo of the city is available; the building is at the bottom of the photo, facing the water. A Google satellite view is also available. Located on the waterfront in Antsiranana. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-001; Admiralty D6922; NGA 32336.

Cap Andranomody

1960s? Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light. 10 m (30 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white with red trim at the top. A 2007 photo is available, Dilag Tours has a distant view almost halfway down their pdf document (look for the caption "Bunker und Leuchtturm"), and Google has a satellite view. Located on an islet just offshore, about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) west northwest of Cap Miné. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-002; Admiralty D6919; NGA 32360.

* Cap Miné (2) Date unknown (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. A photo is at right, another 2007 photo is available, Dilag Tours has two photos about halfway down their pdf document (look for the caption "am Zugang..."), a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the original lighthouse, a typical French cast iron tourelle mounted on a large square stone base. Located on the south side of the Passe d'Orangea, the entrance to Antsiranana Bay, about 3 km (2 mi) northeast of Ramena. The nearby beach of Baie des Dunes is accessible by tours from Antsiranana. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-004; Admiralty D6918; NGA 32356. Nosy Ankao 1960s? Reported inactive; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); should display four white flashes every 20 s. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Erick Ask visited this site in early 2006 and reported, "The lighthouse is not functioning, windows broken, unpainted, cement chipping away." Located on Nosy Ankao, the largest of the Leven Islands, about 80 km (50 mi) southeast of Cap Miné and about 6 km (4 mi) off the mainland. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-012; Admiralty D6930; NGA 32364. Vohémar Range Rear Date unknown. Inactive. 6 m (23 ft) rectangular pyramidal concrete tower with gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's cottage. Formerly painted white, the lighthouse is abandoned and falling into ruin. Dilag Tours has a good photo about 3/4 of the way down their pdf document, and Google has a satellite view. The harbor of Iharana (Vohémar) is a sound with a narrow entrance from the sea; this lighthouse is on the west side of the sound aligned with the entrance. Located in a forested area about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Iharana. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-044; Admiralty D6936.1; NGA 32372. * Antalaha Range Front Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); continuous green light, intensified on the range line. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white. A 2007 closeup is available, Dilag Tours has a good photo a little over halfway down their pdf document, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beachfront of Antalaha, a short distance north of the harbor. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6944; NGA 32400.

Phare de Cap Miné, July 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Antalaha Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower, painted "black and white" according to NGA. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the crest of a ridge 1 km (0.6 mi) west of the front light. Site status unknown. Admiralty D6944.1; NGA 32404.

Tanjona Antsirikos (Cap Est) (2)

2007 (station established 1906). Active (?); focal plane 70 m (230 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. The old light was a 19 m (62 ft) cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a masonry base; it was demolished in 2006. A distant photo of the former lighthouse is available. Aptly named, the lighthouse marks the easternmost point of Madagascar. Located about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Ambohitralanana. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-018; Admiralty D6946; NGA 32408.

Tanjona Masoala (Cap Masoala)

1970s? Active; focal plane 80 m (252 ft); five white flashes every 20 s. 25 m (82 ft) round masonry tower. No photo available. The Masoala Peninsula projects southward, sheltering the Bay of Antongil. Most of the peninsula is included in the Parc National de Masoala. The cape itself is not included, but the offshore waters are a marine reserve. Located on the southeastern tip of the peninsula. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-019; Admiralty D6948.3; NGA 32412.

Nosy Béhentona

1960s? Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round rubblestone tower with gallery. Tower is unpainted stone with wood trim painted white. Located on a small island off Cap Baldrisy (Cap Antsirikira), at the SW tip of the Masoala Peninsula, about 8 km (5 mi) west of Cap Masoala. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-029; Admiralty D6948.5; NGA 32416.

Toamasina Province (Central East Coast) Lighthouses
** Lohatanjona Antsirakakambana (Pointe Albrand, Nosy Boraha) (2)

1931 (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); white flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete base. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available. Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie) is a long, slender island parallel to the coast and about 15 km (10 mi) offshore. Located at the northern tip of the island, about 5 km (3 mi) from the resort town of Ambatoroa. Site open, tower open by arrangement with the keeper on duty. ARLHS MAG-010; Admiralty D6950; NGA 32436.

Rocher aux Sorciers

1910. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white; the light was originally shown through a window. Dilag Tours has a photo about 3/8 the way down their pdf document (look for the caption "Leuchtturm auf Sainte-Marie..."). Located on a small island on the north side of the harbor of Ambodifototra (Port Sainte-Marie). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty D6956; NGA 32440.

Îlot Madame (2)

Date unknown (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); green light occulting once every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) white round tower. No photo available. Located on the northern tip of a small island marking the entrance to the harbor of Ambodifototra (Port Sainte-Marie) on the southwestern coast of Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie). Presumably accessible only by boat; there should be a good view from ferries arriving from the mainland. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-025; Admiralty D6952; NGA 32444.

* Lohatanjona Vohibato (Pointe Blévec) (2)

1914 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); continuous white light. 7 m (23 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern black. A good closeup photo and an second photo are available. The lighthouse is located at the southern end of Nosy Nato (Île aux Nattes), which is separated from the southern tip of Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie) by a narrow channel. There are resorts on the island, and transportation is available. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-033; Admiralty D6958; NGA 32452.

* Lakaria

1934. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) white tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a hill at Fenoarivo-Atsinanana (Fénérive). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-026; Admiralty D6960; NGA 32456.

Nosy Alagnagna (Île aux Prunes)

1932. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); three white flashes, separated by 5 s, every 25 s. 60 m (197 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is white concrete; lantern and gallery painted black. A good photo of this lofty lighthouse is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a good satellite view. The tower is 1 m taller than the Port Sa'id lighthouse in Egypt, so it is the tallest African lighthouse if Madagascar is considered part of Africa. Located on a small island about 16 km (10 mi) north northeast of Toamasina (Tamatave), the provincial capital and principal port of central eastern Madagascar. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-009; Admiralty D6972; NGA 32460.

* Pointe Tanio (Toamasina, Tamatave) (2)

Late 1990s (station established 1903). Active; focal plane about 40 m (131 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. Approx. 37 m (121 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is white concrete; lantern and gallery painted black. Alain Marquis has a photo, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a classic 18 m (59 ft) tapered cast iron tower, was undermined and left at leaning at 45° by Tropical Cyclone Geralda in February 1994. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the older tower, and Le Web de Tamatave has two pages of photos of the original and current towers. Located on a point of land at the northern entrance to the harbor of Toamasina (Tamatave); a map is available. ARLHS MAG-017; Admiralty D6976; NGA 32476.

* Toamasina (Tamatave) Immeuble Portuaire (Harbor Building)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); three flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. Lantern mounted on a white building. No photo available. Located on the waterfront in Toamasina. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-042; Admiralty D6978; NGA 32480.

* Vatomandry

Date unknown. Inactive. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal concrete tower; the light was shone through a window. Dilag Tours has a photo about halfway down their pdf document, and the shadow of the tower is visible in a Google satellite view. The harbor entrance at Vatomandry seems to have silted up almost completely and there are no longer any harbor facilities. Located on the barrier island opposite Vatomandry, about 400 m (1/4 mi) north of what's left of the entrance. Site appears open, tower closed.

Fianarantsoa Province (Southeast Coast) Lighthouses

* Emokala Range Front 1936. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal concrete tower with a small, off-center lantern. All paint has worn off the tower, leaving it as unpainted white concrete. Google has a satellite view. Located just behind the beach about 5 km (3 mi) north of Manakara, near the airport. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D6998; NGA 32520. * Emokala (Range Rear) 1936. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); four white flashes every 25 s. 29 m (95 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern, gallery, and watch room painted black, the rest of the tower white. J. Evenat's photo is at right, Isabelle Jolivat has a view from the train station, and Google has a satellite view. Manakara is a seaport on Madagascar's southeast coast, linked by railroad to the provincial capital of Fianarantsoa. Located on a hilltop behind the airport 5 km (3 mi) north of Manakara and 1056 m (0.6 mi) northwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-007; Admiralty D6998.1; NGA 32524. * Manakara Middle Range Rear Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); quick-flashing white light, visible only on and near the range line. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal concrete tower. The lighthouse was formerly painted white with one black horizontal band, and traces of the black band remain. Google has a satellite view. The front light is on a small tower at the beach about 800 m (1/2 mi) east. Located about 1.7 km (1.1 mi) southwest of the Emokala lighthouse and 3 km (2 mi) north of Manakara. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D7000.1; NGA 32532. Manakara Residency Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) white octagonal tower. No photo available. Information is needed on his light, which is apparently located on the Manakara waterfront. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-027; Admiralty D7006; NGA 32544. Farafangana (Charbonnier) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) octagonal tower, painted white with a black horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view that probably shows the tower. Located on the south side of Farafangana, a port about 80 km (50 mi) south of Manakara. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-006; Admiralty D7014; NGA 32548.

Phare de Manakara: photo by J. Evenat courtesy of Le Phare à Travers le Monde, posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller

Toliara (Tuléar) Province (South and Southwest Coast) Lighthouses

Evatra (Lohatanjona Itaperina, Pointe d'Itapérina) 1907. Inactive since 1960. 7 m (23 ft) white round masonry tower. Lantern and Fresnel lens smashed by vandals many years ago. A. Hovestadt's photo is at right, and Frédéric Bastat also has a photo. Located on a sharp headland about 11 km (7 mi) northeast of Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin) and 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the village of Evatra. Accessible by a trail from the village (local guides needed). Site and tower open. ARLHS MAG-015; Admiralty D7018; NGA 32552. * Taolagnaro Entrance Range Front Date unknown. Active (?); focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s, synchronized with the rear light. 10 m (33 ft) square stepped concrete tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Ad. Hovestadt reports that these range lights were not working when he visited in October 2007. Located on the beach in downtown Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-039; Admiralty D7019; NGA 32556. * Taolagnaro Entrance Range Rear Date unknown. Active (?); focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s, synchronized with the front light. 8 m (26 ft) square stepped concrete tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Ad. Hovestadt reports that these range lights were not working when he visited in October 2007. Located on the north side of Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin), but exact location unknown. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-045; Admiralty D7019.1; NGA 32560. Taolagnaro Second Range Front Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous white light. 12 m (39 ft) square concrete tower with lantern. Lighthouse painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of the peninsula sheltering the harbor of Taolagnaro (Fort-Dauphin). Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-040; Admiralty D7020; NGA 32564.

Phare d'Evatra, 2007 photo copyright A. Hovestadt used by permission

Taolagnaro Second Range Rear (Fort Flacourt)

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 12 m hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern. Tower painted white. A closeup photo is available (center of the last row of photos), and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a bluff 40 m (130 ft) south southwest of the front light. Site and tower closed (military reservation). ARLHS MAG-008; Admiralty D7020.1; NGA 32568.

**** Tanjona Vohimena (Cap Sainte-Marie) 1971. Active; focal plane 194 m (636 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square stone tower with lantern, gallery, and four ribs at the corners. The tower is unpainted stone with the four ribs and gallery painted white and the lantern black. A. Hovestadt's photo is at right, Viollet Alain has a photo, another photo is available (bottom of the page), and Google has a fine satellite view of the station. The lighthouse was renovated in 2007, and a new lantern and lamp were installed. The surrounding area is a national park, the Réserve Spéciale de Cap Sainte-Marie. The lighthouse stands on the southernmost tip of Madagascar, atop a spectacular vertical cliff. Site open, and the keeper will conduct tours of the tower for visitors. ARLHS MAG-005; Admiralty D7022; NGA 32576. Anosy Beacon (Toliary Range Front) 1921. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (26 ft) square masonry tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a sand spit that shelters the harbor of Itafy, the seaport of the provincial capital of Toliary (Tuléar). Site status unknown. Admiralty D7024; NGA 32580. Anosy Beacon (Toliary Range Rear) 1921. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); continuous white light. 17 m (56 ft) square masonry tower with lantern, painted white; lantern painted black. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located about 200 m (220 yd) west of the front light. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-022; Admiralty D7024.1; NGA 32584. Nosy Lava (Morombé) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white light, 4.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 17 m (56 ft) square masonry tower with lantern, painted white; lantern painted black. Not to be confused with the better-known Nosy Lava Light off Analalava in Mahajanga Province (see above). No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located near the northern tip of a small island about 8 km (5 mi) off the harbor of Morombé. Accessible only by boat; transportation to the island is available in Morombé. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MAG-041; Admiralty D7027; NGA 32600.

Phare de Cap Sainte Marie, 2007 photo copyright A. Hovestadt used by permission

* Morombé Range Front

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); continuous red light. 10 m (49 ft) tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory in Morombé. Site appears open, tower closed. Admiralty D7028; NGA 32604.

* Morombé Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); continuous red light. 15 m (49 ft) tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a hilltop in Morombé, 645 m (0.4 mi) east southeast of the front light. Site appears open, tower closed. Admiralty D7028.1; NGA 32608.

Betaolampia

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 9 s. 12 m (36 ft) round brick tower with a "white slatted shield," according to the NGA listing. No photo available. This directional light is unusual in having three white sectors, directed north, northwest, and west. Located above a small harbor about 15 km (10 mi) south of Morondava. Site status unknown. ARLHS MAG-024; Admiralty D7029; NGA 32612.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

• Diego-Suarez Jetée (1893-?), Antsiranana. ARLHS MAG-023.
• Pointe Hastie (1900-?), Toamasina. ARLHS MAG-035.

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted November 14, 2005. Checked and revised May 26, 2009. Lighthouses: 49. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.