Ponta da Ilha Lighthouse

Ponta da Ilha Lighthouse marks the eastern tip of Pico Island in the Azores, in the municipality of Lajes do Pico. It is one of the youngest lighthouses in the archipelago and still works as an active navigation aid.

What kind of lighthouse is it?

The tower is a square, white concrete structure topped with a red lantern. It stands roughly 19 metres tall, with the light about 29 metres above sea level. It flashes white three times every 15 seconds and can be seen from 24 nautical miles (around 44 km). When it opened it used a fifth-order Fresnel lens.

When was it built?

A lighthouse here was first proposed in 1883, yet construction waited until the 20th century. The light came into service in 1946 on land donated by local families. That makes it a modern, plainly functional building compared with the many 19th-century lights elsewhere in the Azores.

Where exactly is it?

You will find it in the hamlet of Ponta da Ilha, in the parish of Piedade on Pico's east coast. It is the last building on the headland, with open ocean beyond. The coordinates are about 38.412° N, 28.030° W. This is one of the quietest, least built-up corners of the island.

What can you see there?

This is not a museum. The grounds around the tower are closed to visitors, so you cannot go inside; you admire it from outside. The draw is the setting: a headland with wide views of the Atlantic and, in clear weather, of São Jorge across the channel. The white tower against dark volcanic rock makes a good photo, especially at sunrise when the light comes in from the sea.

When should you go?

Weather is best from June to September. The eastern end of Pico is often windy, and low cloud can hide the view quickly, so check the forecast before you set out. After dark you can watch the lamp keep its fixed flashing rhythm.

Can you combine it with other stops?

Yes. Lajes do Pico is known for its whaling heritage and for whale and dolphin watching, and several villages along the southern and eastern coast are close by. The lighthouse fits easily into a drive around Pico, alongside stops in Lajes do Pico and Piedade.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Ponta da Ilha Lighthouse?

No. The lighthouse grounds are off limits to tourists, so it is a view-from-outside stop.

When was the lighthouse built?

It entered service in 1946, although it was first proposed back in 1883.

How far does its light reach?

Its range is 24 nautical miles, about 44 km, with three flashes every 15 seconds.

Which parish is it in?

Piedade, in the municipality of Lajes do Pico, on the eastern shore of Pico Island.