Recife Lighthouse

Recife Lighthouse is a white octagonal tower standing about 18 meters tall on the coast, featuring a light visible up to 17 nautical miles away. The beacon alternates white and red signals every 12 seconds to guide ships through the waterway.

The structure was built and first lit in 1822 to guide ships entering the port. It became an important navigation aid as shipping traffic grew in this strategic northeastern location.

The lighthouse marks the entrance to one of Brazil's principal northeastern ports and helps ships navigate the natural reefs that inspired the city's name.

The lighthouse is located directly on Recife's coastline and is easily visible from the water. Best views come during daylight hours from the harbor area or nearby coastal paths, where the white structure stands out clearly.

The lighthouse was built in the early 19th century using navigation standards of that era and has remained largely unchanged technically since then. The original rotating light system was kept operational for many years, making it a rare example of early maritime technology still in use.

Location: Recife

GPS coordinates: -8.05455,-34.86529

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:08