Faro Isla de Lobos, Maritime lighthouse on Isla de Lobos, Uruguay.
Faro Isla de Lobos is a cylindrical concrete lighthouse tower 50 metres tall, with white buildings at its base and a dome banded radially in white and red. Its light sits 59 metres above sea level and reaches 22.9 nautical miles. It stands on Isla de Lobos off Maldonado, Uruguay, and can be seen from Playa Brava in Punta del Este.
The first lighthouse on Isla de Lobos was lit on 5 April 1858, but in 1860 it was moved to Punta del Este because the seal-hunting industry feared its light would scare the sea lions away. A new, taller tower was built and lit on the island on 18 July 1906. On 19 July 2001 it became the first Uruguayan lighthouse automated with modern equipment.
The island's name comes from the sea lions (lobos marinos) whose colony surrounds it; in 1860 the lighthouse was moved to Punta del Este because the sealing industry feared its light would drive the animals away. The light shows one flash every five seconds and can be seen from Playa Brava in Punta del Este.
The island can be reached by boat from Punta del Este, though the journey varies depending on weather conditions. Visitors should coordinate with local boat operators and check wind forecasts, as conditions can change quickly on the water.
The waters surrounding the island host an enormous colony of fur seals and sea lions, the largest in the western hemisphere. These marine mammals are often visible during a boat trip to the island and create a memorable experience.
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