Lighthouses of Northern Perú

Located on the central west coast of South America, Perú has a large number of lighthouses, mostly concrete towers of modern design. Many of these towers do not have enclosed lanterns, but they generally have a small gallery at the top and access to the light is by an interior stairway or ladder.

Unfortunately, we have little information about whether many of these light stations are accessible to the public. Tourism is not well developed on the Peruvian coast, except for a few sites favored by surfers. A large part of the coast is not accessible by road. Callao, near Lima, is a major seaport, but most of the other ports are quite small. More information about these lighthouses and their accessibility would be very welcome. (Special thanks to Martin Berendsen Leigh and Alessandro Catenazzi for information on several light stations.)

This page includes lighthouses of Perú north of the Lima Region. Lighthouses in Perú are owned by the navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú) and managed by the navy's Dirección de Hidrografía y Navegación (DHN). Retrieved from the DHN website, we have eighteen photos illustrating the common lighthouse designs used in Perú. DHN also manages the lights on the Amazon and on Lake Titicaca.

Many of Peru's offshore islands are under the management of Proabonos, a public corporation that mines the guano deposits produced by seabirds nesting on the islands. Generally, a permit from Proabonos is needed to visit any of these sites.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. PE numbers are from DHN's Lista de Faros y Señales Nauticos, Admiralty numbers are from volume G of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 111.

General sources
Lighthouses of Peru
18 photos of lighthouses retrieved from the DHN web site.
Online List of Lights - Peru
Photos posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lista de Faros y Señales Nauticas
Official light list for coastal Perú, published in .pdf format by DHN. Photos of the major lighthouses are included.
South American Lighthouses
Photos taken in 2008 by Rosalie Beasley.
Phares du Monde
Photos from various sources collected by Philippe Le Bret.
Aviso a los Navegantes - Agusto 2010
Published by Bolivia's Servicio Nacional de Hidrografía Naval, this notice to mariners (a pdf document) has on page 8 a light list for the Peruvian lights on Lake Titicaca.

Faro de Salaverry
Faro Monte Carretas, Salaverry, November 2008
photo copyright Rosalie Beasley; used by permission

Ancash Region (Chimbote Area) Lighthouses
Punta Cabeza de Largato (Puerto Huarmey) (2)
1981 (station established 1930). Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 10 s. 6.5 m (21 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower, painted white with a single red horizontal band; no lantern. We have a Navy photo (last row, right photo), a distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland about 115 km (70 mi) south of Chimbote. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-029; PE-21110; Admiralty G2076; NGA 0716.
Morro Calvario (Bahía Casma)
1978. Active; focal plane 242 m (794 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a square pyramidal base, painted yellow; no lantern. DHN's Lista de Faros has a photo, and Le Bret has a larger version of the same photo, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the area. Located on a headland about 50 km (30 mi) south of Chimbote. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-015; PE-21108; Admiralty G2080; NGA 0712.
Isla Ferrol del Norte (2)
2000 (station established 1973). Active (?); focal plane 25 m (82 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical fiberglass tower mounted on a pyramidal concrete base. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands; no lantern. DHN's Lista de Faros has a photo, Le Bret has a larger version of the same photo, and Mariano Valverde has a distant view, but the tower is hard to see in Google's satellite view. Located on a small island at the southern entrance to Chimbote harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Proabonos. PE-21107; Admiralty G2084.4; NGA 0708.
Isla Blanca (Islote Roca Blanca)
1971. Active (?); focal plane 144 m (472 ft); white flash every 10 s. 7 m (24 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. No photo available, although the light is barely visible in a Google satellite view. This light has been dropped from the 2009 NGA list. Isla Blanca is known for its wildlife, including seals and birds; ecotours are available from Chimbote. Located at the north end of an islet off the northern end of Isla Blanca, which shelters the harbor of Chimbote. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-040; PE-21100; Admiralty G2085; NGA 0704.

La Liberdad Region Lighthouses
Isla Guañape Sur
1930. Active; focal plane 139 m (456 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (28 ft) round cylindrical steel tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. DHN's Lista de Faros has a photo, Le Bret has a larger version of the same photo, and the light is barely visible in Mariano Valverde's view of the island, but the island is not seen in Google's satellite view. The lantern was apparently removed in 1973. Located atop an island about 65 km (40 mi) west of Salaverry. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Proabonos. ARLHS PER-007; PE-21091; Admiralty G2088; NGA 0692.
Morro Carretas (Salaverry)
1974. Active; focal plane 145 m (476 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a square pyramidal base, painted black with an orange band. The lantern is also painted orange. We have a Navy photo (third row, center photo), one of Beasley's 2008 photos is at the top of this page, Eduardo Ganoza has a distant view (lighthouse at upper left), a 2008 view is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a steep bluff just south of Salaverry, a seaport just south of Trujillo in northern Peru. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-018; PE-21090; Admiralty G2089; NGA 0680.
* Punta Pacasmayo (2)
1967 (station established 1935). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted in a black and white checkered pattern. Adrian Torres has a good closeup, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This location is famous for its surf; surfing sites often mention the lighthouse, and one of them has a photo. Pacasmayo is the first coastal location south of Máncora that is readily accessible from the Pan-American Highway. Located about 1.5 km (1 mi) southwest of Pacasmayo, a town about 160 km (100 mi) northwest of Trujillo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PER-031; PE-12077; Admiralty G2106; NGA 0664.
Faro de Pacasmayo
Faro de Pacasmayo; DHN photo

Lambayeque Region Lighthouses
Morro Eten
1975. Active; focal plane 219 m (719 ft); white flash every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower, painted black with a single horizontal white band; no lantern. We have a Navy photo (fourth row, left photo), and Google has a satellite view. Located high above a prominent headland about 50 km (30 mi) north of Pacasmayo and 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Eten. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-022; PE-12072; Admiralty G2117; NGA 0656.
Isla Lobos de Afuera (1)
1906. Inactive, at least since 1975. 8 m (26 ft) cast iron tower; lantern removed.
Isla Lobos de Afuera (2)
1975 (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 86 m (282 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern rising from a square pyramidal base, painted black with a single horizontal white band; lantern is white with a black roof. Crew quarters for rotating crews of Peruvian marines who staff the light station. Google's satellite view barely shows this remote island. This is one of several Máncora class towers that have lanterns. The island is a wildlife sanctuary. Located on a small island about 80 km (50 mi) off Chilayo. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed; landings on the island require permission of the Navy. Site manager: Proabonos. ARLHS PER-013; PE-12069; Admiralty G2112; NGA 0636.
Isla Lobos de Tierra
1937. Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) metal (cast iron?) tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. The Navy's photo is at right, and Google has a very distant satellite view. This traditional lighthouse design is unusual in Peru. Isla Lobos de Tierra is a barren island about 16 km (10 mi) long. The island is a wildlife sanctuary. Located about 16 km (10 mi) offshore. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Proabonos. ARLHS PER-053; PE-12061; Admiralty G2124; NGA 0632.

Piura Region Lighthouses
Punta la Negra (2)
2003 (station established 1981). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower rising from a square pyramidal base, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. Martin Berendson Leigh has contributed a photo, Le Bret has DHN's photo, and the slender tower is visible in a Google satellite view. Located on a headland about 65 km (40 mi) southwest of Bayóvar. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PER-028; PE-12060; Admiralty G2125; NGA 0628.
Faro Isla Lobos de Afuera
Faro de Isla Lobos de Tierra
Peruvian Navy photo
Bayóvar (Punta Aguja)
1977. Active; focal plane 184 m (604 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 18 m (59 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a conical base, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. DHN's Lista de Faros has a photo, Le Bret has a larger version of the same photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on Punta Aguja, a prominent cape about 25 km (15 mi) west of the port of Bayóvar. Site status unknown. PE-12050; Admiralty G2127; NGA 0608.
Isla Foca
1931. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 4.5 m (15 ft) conical tower with gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. We have a Navy photo, and Google has a satellite view. The island (actually two islands separated by a narrow channel) is barely 5 degrees south of the equator but is the world's northernmost nesting ground for penguins. Located just off the coast about 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Paita. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-046; PE-11047; Admiralty G2132; NGA 0604.
Punta Telegrafo (Paita)
1974. Active; focal plane 101 m (332 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 19 m (60 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a square pyramidal base, painted black with a broad orange horizontal band; no lantern. Martin Berendson Leigh has contributed the photo seen at right, a closeup is available, Le Bret has DHN's photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland about 5 km (3 mi) west of Paita, the principal seaport of northern Peru. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-017; PE-11037; Admiralty G2132.8; NGA 0584.
* Punta Pariñas
1974. Active; focal plane 73 m (240 ft); white light, 2 s on, 8 s off. 18 m (59 ft) conical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a single red horizontal band. We have a closeup Navy photo, a 2009 closeup is available, Adam Gordon has a view from below, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse marks the westernmost point of South America at longitude 81° 19' 40" west. There is a popular beach just south of the cape, and visitors can climb the headland to see seals below. Site apparently open, tower closed. ARLHS PER-030; PE-11032; Admiralty G2138; NGA 0580.

Faro de Punta Telegrafo, Paita
photo copyright Martin Berendson Leigh; used by permission
Punta Talara
1942. Active; focal plane 61 m (201 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal metal tower, painted black with a single white horizontal band; no lantern. 1-story service building, also painted black. Le Bret has DHN's closeup photo, a very distant view and a second view are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the cape sheltering the harbor of Talara. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-035; PE-11015; Admiralty G2140; NGA 0548.
Cabo Blanco
1978. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); white flash every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) Máncora class square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a square pyramidal base, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. Martin Berendson Leigh has contributed a photo, Le Bret has DHN's closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the cape about 55 km (35 mi) northeast of Talara. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-003; PE-11007; Admiralty G2153; NGA 0544.
Máncora
1978. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); three white flashes at uneven intervals (separated by 2.5 s, 6 s, and 10 s) every 20 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a square pyramidal base, painted with red and white horizontal bands; no lantern. This lighthouse design is very common in Peru, and I call it the "Máncora class." We have a Navy photo, Martin Berendson Leigh has contributed a photo showing the lighthouse above the town, Luis Abanto Salazar has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff above the port of Máncora about 100 km (60 mi) southwest of Tumbes. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-042; PE-11006; Admiralty G2158; NGA 0540.

Tumbes Region Lighthouses
* Contralmirante Villar (Zorritos) (2)
1975. Active; focal plane 77 m (253 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower on a pyramidal base, painted with black and white horizontal bands; no lantern. Martin Berendsen Leigh's 2009 photo is at right, Le Bret has DHN's closeup, Abe Saloman has a distant photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located in Puerto Zorritos, a fishing port about 30 km (20 mi) southwest of Tumbes. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PER-005; PE-11003; Admiralty G2180; NGA 0536.
Punta Capones (2)
2000 (station established 1975). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 15 m (49 ft) slender round fiberglass tower on a conical concrete base, painted with red and white horizontal bands; no lantern. Le Bret has DHN's photo, and the lighthouse appears on a 2004 postage stamp, but Google has only a very blurry satellite view of the location. Located near the border of Ecuador, at the southern entrance to the Golfo de Guayaquil, about 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Tumbes. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-044; PE-11001; Admiralty G2202; NGA 0528.
Faro de Zorritos
Faro Contralmirante Villar, Zorritos, April 2009
photo copyright Martin Berendson Leigh
used by permission

Río Amazonas Lighthouse
Pijuayal
Date unknown. Active. Round cylindrical tower painted with narrow red and white horizontal bands. We have a Navy photo (last row, center photo). This is one of at least five Peruvian lights on the upper course of the Amazon, but it is the only one for which a photo is available. We don't know if the others qualify as lighthouses. Located in or near the town of Pijuayal, where the river makes a right-angle turn from northeast to southeast. Ecotours of the Amazon visit Pijuayal, which is Peru's port of entry from downstream. Site status unknown. ARLHS PER-043.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Ecuador | South: Southern Perú

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Posted June 2002. Checked and revised November 1, 2011. Lighthouses: 22. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.