Portland Head Lighthouse - Maine, United States
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Portland Head Lighthouse


Location
State Maine
Country United States




Navigation
Latitude 43° 37" 23'
Longitude -70° 12" 28'
Format DD DMS
Body of water Casco Bay
Height Above Water 101 feet
Light Characteristics Flashing white every four seconds.
Current Conditions
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Temperature: 43F
Dewpoint: 43F

Clear
High: 54F
Low: 34F

Clear
High: 49F
Low: 36F

Clear
High: 45F
Low: 38F

Partly Cloudy

Introduction:
Portland Head Lighthouse is the gateway to the city of Portland, Maine, an important commercial and recreational boating port. Located just north of Cape Elizabeth, the directional light is not part of the light in the tower, but rather is located near ground level on the east side of the fog signal building. The light flashes a white signal every four seconds, and a horn signal can be heard every 15 seconds during periods of fog. There is also a directional portion to the light with green, white and red sectors on the east approach to Portland Head.

History:
The lighthouse was established here and construction was completed in 1791. In 1989, the United States Coast Guard automated the light.

Navigating in and Around the Lighthouse:
Navigating in and around Casco Bay toward Portland is fairly easy if you follow all the aids to navigation carefully. Once Past Portland Head on the approach to Portland, follow the shipping channel marker in past Spring Point, and then into Portland harbor, which will be to port.

Local Notices to Mariners:
Local Notices to Mariners are now available exclusively online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Tour Schedule:
Although the light tower itself is not open for public tours, the grounds are, and the old light keeper’s house is a museum. Complimentary parking is available at the lighthouse.
The hours for the museum are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays only, starting April 22, and then daily, 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day forward.

Marine Facilities: