Cap Miné Lighthouse, Lighthouse in northern Madagascar

Cap Miné Lighthouse is an octagonal tower with white and black stripes that rises on a square concrete base near the village of Ramena. The structure stands approximately 30 meters tall and occupies an important position along the Indian Ocean coast.

The lighthouse was originally built in 1890 as a metal tower and later rebuilt in stone. This reconstruction allowed for greater durability and easier maintenance of the structure.

The lighthouse is a working landmark for the fishermen of Ramena, who use its three flashes to fix their position when returning from the reef. A resident keeper lives on site and tells visitors about the tower's history. The name Cap Miné comes from the headland itself, and the site is still watched over by the military.

The lighthouse stands on the Cap Miné peninsula, reached by an unpaved track from Ramena village. The site lies within a military zone, so access is only possible with authorisation obtained in advance. There is no shade or water along the route; carry sun protection and enough drinking water for the walk back.

The light's original Sautter-Harle rotating apparatus was supplied by the Paris firm of Sautter, Harlé et Cie, the same workshops that fitted optics for French colonial lighthouses across Africa and Asia. The three white flashes every 15 seconds come from that clockwork rotation, driven by a weighted mechanism rather than electricity.