Beacon of Tampo island

The Beacon of Tambo Island is a small navigational lighthouse standing on the tip of Punta de Tenlo Chico, on Tambo Island in the middle of the Ría de Pontevedra, just off the coast of Marín in Galicia, Spain. It is a modest structure, but its layered history and setting make it a rewarding stop for anyone exploring this stretch of Spain's Atlantic coast.

What exactly is this beacon?

Officially named the Faro de Tenlo Chico, the lighthouse was approved in 1916 as part of a general coastal lighting plan for Galicia, though it only became operational in 1922. Its tower stands roughly 20 metres tall and has guided ships through the southern entrance of the Ría de Pontevedra for a century. In its original form, the light showed a white beam visible up to 10 nautical miles and a green sector reaching 8 nautical miles. Today the beacon runs entirely on solar power, with LED lamps producing a signature pattern of three white flashes every 9 seconds, visible up to 11 nautical miles out to sea. The lighthouse falls under the authority of the Port of Marín and Ría de Pontevedra.

Tambo Island itself, where the beacon stands, covers just over 0.28 km², rises to a maximum elevation of about 80 metres, and is shaped like an oval pyramid. It sits only around 1.1 km from the mainland and is covered mostly in eucalyptus woodland. Administratively the island belongs to the municipality of Poio, but for decades it was watched over by the Naval Military School based in Marín — which is why the town of Marín is the most common reference point for visiting or viewing the island, and offers some of the best vantage points over it.

How do you get to the island?

Tambo Island remained under naval military control from 1943 until it was demilitarized on 1 March 2022, when it was handed over on a 25-year lease to the municipality of Poio. In practice, this means independent landings are not allowed — visits currently take place only as guided tours arranged and authorized through the Poio town council. Since access rules are still being established following decades of military closure, it is worth checking directly with the municipality before planning a trip. Without a guided visit, the simplest way to see the lighthouse is from the waterfront promenades of Marín and Pontevedra, both of which offer clear views across the water to the island and its beacon.

What will you see there?

Beyond the lighthouse itself, the island holds centuries of layered history. Archaeologists have documented Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement remains as well as evidence of Roman-era occupation. A monastery was founded on the island in the 6th or 7th century, and in the 16th century Tambo was attacked by the English privateer Francis Drake. In later centuries it served first as a lazaretto (a quarantine station for arriving ships) and then as a military prison and arsenal, right up until its recent demilitarization. A medieval stone sarcophagus can still be found on the island. Two sandy beaches, Area da Illa and Adreira, along with dense eucalyptus forest, add a contrast to this otherwise military and monastic past.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer offer the most reliable weather in Galicia and the clearest visibility across the Ría de Pontevedra, making these seasons the best window for viewing the lighthouse from shore or joining an organized visit to the island, since the municipality of Poio tends to schedule most group tours during the warmer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors go inside the lighthouse? No — it is an active navigational structure managed by the Port of Marín and is not open to the public inside.

Can I sail to Tambo Island on my own? No. Since the island's demilitarization in 2022, access is only possible through guided visits approved by the Poio municipal government.

Where is the best place to view the lighthouse from land? The seafront promenades of Marín and Pontevedra both offer clear, unobstructed views of Tambo Island and its lighthouse.

How does the lighthouse operate today? It runs on solar power with LED lamps, producing three white flashes every 9 seconds, visible up to 11 nautical miles offshore.