Nosy Alañaña Light, Maritime beacon in Toamasina Province, Madagascar.
Leuchtturm l'île aux Prunes is an octagonal concrete tower standing 60 meters tall with a black lantern and observation gallery at the top. The structure sits on the small island of Île aux Prunes and marks an important navigation point for maritime traffic along Madagascar's eastern coast.
This beacon began operating in 1933 to improve maritime safety along Madagascar's eastern coast. It was built to address the navigational challenges faced by ships passing through these waters.
Local fishing boats use this beacon as a familiar reference point when heading out to sea and returning to shore. The tower serves as a guiding symbol that connects the maritime community to their daily work on the water.
The light flashes white signals every 25 seconds and can be seen from ships about 23 nautical miles away. Access to the island depends on weather conditions and sea state, so plan accordingly for any visit.
This concrete tower ranks among the world's tallest traditional lighthouses and stands out for its modernist design compared to older stone structures elsewhere. Its continuous operation for over 9 decades demonstrates the durability of its construction and engineering approach from that era.
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