Lighthouses of Eastern Cuba

The Republic of Cuba includes the largest island of the West Indies, also called Cuba, located at the northwest corner of the Caribbean Sea across the Florida Strait from the United States. Cuba was a Spanish colony until it was conquered by U.S. forces during the Spanish-American War of 1898. The U.S. occupation ended officially in 1902. Nineteenth century Cuban lighthouses therefore have Spanish designs. At least two surviving lighthouses, Cayo Jutías and Punta de los Colorados, were built under the U.S. occupation.

Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and one special municipality (Isla de la Juventud). This page includes lighthouses of the eastern half of the island from Sancti Spiritus Province eastward. There's another page for Western Cuba. On the north the Old Bahama Channel separates eastern Cuba from the Bahamas and on the east the Windward Passage separates Cuba from Haiti. The southern coast faces the open Caribbean Sea.

Due to longstanding political difficulties between Cuba and the U.S., American tourists had practically no access to these lighthouses for more than 50 years. This is changing now that the two countries have resumed contacts, but it is still true that most of the information available on the Internet has been posted by European or Canadian visitors or by Cuban tourist agencies.

Aids to navigation in Cuba are regulated by the Oficina Nacional Hidrografia y Geodesia and maintained by the Ayuda a la Navegación division of Grupo Empresarial Geocuba. Many Cuban lighthouses are not automated and keepers are on site at most locations. Some of the stations are staffed by civilian keepers but some are tightly restricted military posts. In general the information on the Internet indicates that the major lighthouses, at least, are well maintained. More information is needed on these lighthouses. If you have information or photos you are willing to share, please contact me.

More information is needed on these lighthouses. If you have information or photos you are willing to share, please contact me.

In Spanish the word for a lighthouse is faro, baliza is a beacon, isla is an island, cabo is a cape, punta is a promontory or point of land, péñon is a rock, arrecife is a reef, bahía is a bay, ría is an estuary or inlet, estrecho is a strait, río is a river, and puerto is a port or harbor.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. CU numbers are from the Cuban light list; it is not available online but many numbers appear in the Admiralty's Notice to Mariners of 2012 Week 45. Admiralty numbers are from Volume J of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110.

General sources
Online List of Lights - Cuba
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lighthouses in Cuba
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
Leuchttürme in Kuba
Photos posted by Andreas Köhler.
World of Lighthouses - Cuba
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Phares d'Amérique
Photos posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller on their Phares du Monde web site.
Leuchttürme Mittelamerikas und der Karibik auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.
Bahamas and West Indies
Historic postcard views posted by Michel Forand.
U.S. NOAA Chart 11013
Navigational chart for Florida Straits, Cuba, and Bahamas.
GPSNauticalCharts
Navigational chart information for Cuba.
Navionics Charts
Navigational chart for Cuba.

Morro Santiago de Cuba Light, December 2013
ex-Panoramio Creative Commons photo by Talavan
Sancti Spíritus Province North Coast Lighthouse
Cayo Caimán Grande de Santa Maria (2)
1955 (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 48 m (158 ft); white flash every 5 s. 32 m (105 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands; the lantern is silvery metallic. David Allester's photo is at right, Trabas has a very distant view from the sea by Capt. Theo Hinrichs, and Bing has a good satellite view of the station. The original lighthouse was one of the siblings of the Cayo Jutías light (see the Western Cuba page); Forand has a historic photo showing an early stage in its construction. The lighthouse was built by Julio Perez-Arocha; according to his daughter Ana it was prefabricated in France and required a year to assemble. The surrounding area is protected as a national park. This lighthouse is located on a tiny cay about 65 km (40 mi) west of Cayo Coco, north of Bahía Buena Vista. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown, although the lighthouse can be viewed from the water. ARLHS CUB-020; CU-0325; Admiralty J4916; NGA 12780.

Ciego de Ávila Province North Coast Lighthouses
Cayo Jaula
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) square skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on an islet on the reef about 4 km (2.5 mi) off the northwest coast of Cayo Coco, a large island off the north coast of Ciego de Ávila province. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. CU-0326; Admiralty J4917; NGA 12788.
Faro Caimán Grande de Santa Maria
Caimán Grande de Santa Maria Light, Sancti Spíritus, May 2004
photo copyright David Allester; used by permission
*** Cayo Paredón Grande (Faro Diego Velázquez)
1859 (Antonio Montenegro). Active; focal plane 48 m (158 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 40 m (131 ft) 16-sided cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted in a checkered black and yellow pattern; base painted white; lantern silver. Fresnel lens in use. Three 1-story keeper's quarters. A photo by Wilfried Kalinowski is at right, Jon Gorostiaga has a 2018 photo, Capt. Hubert Hall has contributed two additional photos, Trabas has a distant view by Capt. Theo Hinrichs, Eleonora Vendetta has a 2018 street view, and Google has a satellite view. When Kalinowski visited the lighthouse in November 2017 it was being renovated and the partially damaged Fresnel lens was being replaced by a modern light. Like other Cuban lighthouses, this tower was formerly painted all white. The lighthouse has been named for Diego Velázquez, who first explored the islands off Cuba's north coast in 1514. Located on a small island off the north side of Cayo Romano. Bridges and causeways connect the cay to Cayo Romano, Cayo Coco, and the mainland. The Cayo Coco/Romano area is famous for its birdlife, especially flamingos. Site open, tower open by arrangement with the keepers. ARLHS CUB-010; CU-0327; Admiralty J4918; NGA 12800.

Camagüey Province North Coast Lighthouses
Cayo Confites
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower, painted white. Trabas has a photo by Capt. Theo Hinrichs and Google has a satellite view. The heavily traveled Old Bahama Channel, frequently used by cruise ships, has a rather narrow passage between this lighthouse and the Cay Lobos lighthouse of the Bahamas. Located on an islet on the reef about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Cayo Guajaba, a large island northeast of Esmeralda in the Jardines del Rey Archipelago. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. CU-0328; Admiralty J4922; NGA 12804.

Cayo Paredon Grande Light, Ciego de Ávila, November 2017
photo copyright Wilfried Kalinowski; used by permission
** Punta Maternillos (Faro de Colón)
1849. Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); white flash every 15 s. 52 m (171 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, adjacent to a 1-story keeper's quarters complex. A 2011 aerial photo is at right, Belén Menéndez Solar has a closeup photo, Trabas has Michael Boucher's distant photo, and Google has a good satellite view. This is Cuba's tallest lighthouse. Named for Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish), the light guards the entrance to Nuevitas, the second most important port of Cuba's north coast after Havana. Rarely visible in the past, it is now accessible and there are efforts to develop it as a tourist attraction. Located on the beach at the end of a long spit on the north side of Cayo Sabinal, about 20 km (13 mi) north of Nuevitas. Accessible by road. Site and tower reported open. ARLHS CUB-031; CU-0329; Admiralty J4926; NGA 12808.
* Nuevitas (Punta Prácticos) (4?)
Date unknown (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) white concrete post rising from a concrete base. Luc Van Den Brande has a 2019 photo and Google has a street view and a distant satellite view. The original light was shown from a mast mounted on the keeper's house. It was replaced in 1908 and again in 1928; it is not known if anything survives of earlier lights at this historic station. Located in La Boca, on the east side of the entrance to the narrow passage at the eastern end of Cayo Sabinal, leading to Nuevitas. Site open, tower closed. CU-0330; Admiralty J4928; NGA 12812.

Las Tunas Province Lighthouses
Punta Roma
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 12 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Bahía de Manatí. Site status unknown. CU-0389; Admiralty J4942; NGA 12872.
Faro Colón
Faro de Colón (Punta Maternillos Light), Nuevitas, October 2011
Televisión Camagüey photo by Orestes G. Casanova
Punta Mastelero (Puerto Padre) (3?)
Date unknown (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round tower. with gallery standing on a square concrete base. A 2023 photo is available and Google has a distant satellite view. The original light was on a mast next to a keeper's house; no trace of the house survives. Another photo probably shows the ruined base of the second lighthouse. Located on the west side of the narrow entrance to the Bahía de Puerto Padre. Site status unknown. CU-0399; Admiralty J4944; NGA 12884.
Punta Piedra del Mangle (Punta Mangles) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1930). Active; focal plane about 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 10 s. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round barbell-shaped metal or fiberglass tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lightphotos.net has a photo and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, an 18 m (59 ft) square skeletal tower, was apparently overturned by a hurricane in 2008. The NGA list describes the new light but retains the data for the older one. Located on a promontory of the mainland about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Gibara. Site status unknown. CU-0423; Admiralty J4946; NGA 12892.

Holguín Province Lighthouses
Punta Rasa (Gibara)
Date unknown (station established 1896). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lightphotos.net has a photo, a 2020 photo is available, and Bing has a satellite view. The lighthouse marks the west side of the entrance to Gibara in Holguín province. Located on a cape about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Gibara. Site status unknown, but the lighthouse is visible from a nearby road. ARLHS CUB-033; CU-0424; Admiralty J4948; NGA 12894.
Puerto de Vita (Puerto Sama, Punta Barlovento) (3)
Date unknown (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 10 s. 31 m (101 ft) round cylindrical tower, probably concrete, with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Anne Philpot has contributed the photo at right, Bernard Rodrigue has a photo, Trabas has Köhler's distant view, and Google has a satellite view. The original light was on a mast; it was replaced by a skeletal tower sometime after 1920. Puerto de Vita is a port about 30 km (20 mi) west of Cabo Lucrecia in Holguín province; it is a common port of entry for yachts arriving in Cuba from the east. Located on a headland on the east side of the entrance. Site status unknown. ARLHS CUB-027; CU-0426; Admiralty J4952; NGA 12900.
Punta Sotavento (Bahía Samá)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 8 s. 9 m (30 ft) square white skeletal tower. E. Schnare has a photo and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Bahía Samá and the small port of Samá. Site status unknown. CU-0456; Admiralty J4956; NGA 12908.

Puerto de Vita Light, Puerto de Vita
photo copyright Anne Philpot; used by permission
**** Cabo Lucrecia (Punta Lucrecia, Faro Serrano) (2)
1868 (Restituto Blancafort) (station established 1861). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 5 s. 37 m (121 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery on an octagonal stone base. 1-story keepers quarters. Lighthouse originally painted white but the paint has mostly worn off (this appears to be intentional). Anne Philpot's photo is at right, Felix Toledo has a 2012 photo, a 2014 closeup is available, and Bing has a good satellite view. This is a very well preserved example of a nineteenth century Spanish lighthouse. It is a well-known tourist attraction and the keeper's house contains a small museum. Located on a prominent cape northwest of Banes in Holguín province. Site and tower open. ARLHS CUB-014; CU-0457; Admiralty J4958; NGA 12912.
Playa Caracolillo (Bahía de Banes)
Date unknown (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) tower. The Admiralty describes this light as a white round metal tower with "balcony," and NGA describes it as a white conical truncated tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view that appears to show a round barbell-shaped tower. Located on the south side of the very narrow entrance to the Bahía de Banes. Site status unknown. CU-0458; Admiralty J4960; NGA 12916.
Faro de Cabo Lucrecia
Cabo Lucrecia Light, Banes
photo copyright Anne Philpot; used by permission
Punta Mayarí (Bahía de Nipe) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 6 s. 31 m (102 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery. Kelly Anne Loughery has contributed the photo at right and Google has a satellite view. Located on the east side of the entrance to the Bahía de Nipe northeast of Mayari. Site status unknown. ARLHS CUB-038; CU-0477; Admiralty J4962; NGA 12920.
Punta Liberal (Cayo Saetía)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower, colored with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland of Cayo Saetía, which is not a small cay but a relatively large island separating the Bahía de Levisa from the Atlantic. Site status unknown. CU-0513; Admiralty J4975; NGA 12948.
Punta Barlovento (Puerto de Tánamo) (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 8 s. NGA describes an 8 m (26 ft) skeletal tower but Google's satellite view appears to show a barbell-shaped white fiberglass tower. No photo available. Located on a headland on the east side of the narrow entrance to the Bahía de Tánamo. Site status unknown. CU-0545; Admiralty J4988; NGA 12952.
Cayo Moa Grande (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower, painted white. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Google has a satellite view. The previous light (before 1940) was on a 33 m (108 ft) skeletal tower. Located on a barrier island about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Moa. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CU-0570; Admiralty J5012; NGA 12980.
Punta La Fábrica (Factory Point) Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 21 m (69 ft) square skeletal tower carrying a rectangular daymark painted white with a large orange diamond. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Bing has a fuzzy satellite view. The range guides vessels into an industrial harbor on the east side of Moa. The front light is on a short tripod tower. Site status unknown. CU-0573; Admiralty J5013.1; NGA 12992.
Punta Guarico
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white tower. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a low, forested headland about 25 km (15 mi) east southeast of Cayo Moa Grande. Site status unknown. CU-0591; Admiralty J5015.5; NGA 12996.

Punta Mayarí Light, Mayarí, February 2015
photo copyright Kelly Anne Loughery; used by permission


Guantánamo Province (Easternmost Cuba) Lighthouses
* Baracoa (Bahía de Baracoa, Punta Rama) (6)
2017 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); yellow flash every 6 s. 17 m (56 ft) white fiberglass tower. No photo available and the lighthouse is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Formerly this light was mounted on a short mast atop a 4-story concrete building. Trabas has a photo by Alfonso Biescas Vignau. The building seemed quite dilapidated and it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Isaac in August 2012. The light was then moved temporarily to a small fiberglass tower on a headland about 3 km (2 mi) east of town. The original light was shown from a mast mounted on the keeper's house. In 1906 it was replaced by an 11 m (36 ft) skeletal tower; this was replaced by a second skeletal tower around 1930. In 1956 the skeletal tower was replaced by a shorter metal tower. The light on the concrete building appeared to date from the 1960s. Located on the waterfront at the southern entrance to the harbor of Baracoa. Site open, tower closed. CU-0596; Admiralty J5016; NGA 13000.
** Punta Maisí
1862 (Mariano Moreno). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 5 s. 31 m (102 ft) round stone tower with lantern and double gallery. Tower painted white., watch room red. Several 1-story keeper's houses and other light station buildings; this is a staffed station. Norlee Flaaten's photo is at right, Iván Martínez Herrera has a 2011 photo, a closeup photo is available, Trabas has a view from the sea by Capt. Peter Mosselberger, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the extreme eastern tip of the island commanding a view of the Windward Passage. Accessible by road from Baracoa. Site open, tower open by arrangement with the keepers. ARLHS CUB-030; CU-0599; Admiralty J5018; NGA 13008.
Punta Caleta
Date unknown (station established 1930). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white flash every 10 s. 30 m (98 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a prominent cape about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Punta Maisí. Site status unknown. ARLHS CUB-039; CU-0602; Admiralty J5020; NGA 13012.
Puerto Escondido
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) white post atop a square 1-story equipment shelter. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Bing has a satellite view. Located on the east side of the entrance to Puerto Escondido, a harbor of refuge about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of the entrance to Guantánamo Bay. Site status unknown. CU-0606; Admiralty J5022.5; NGA 13017.

Punta Maisí Light, Baracoa, February 2017
Google Maps photo by Norlee Flaaten

Guantánamo Bay U.S. Naval Station Lighthouses
The United States administers the southern portion of Guantánamo Bay under the terms of the 1903 Cuban-American Treaty, which provided for a perpetual lease of the property to the U.S. for the purpose of maintaining a naval station. The current government of Cuba regards the treaty as invalid because the new nation was in no position to negotiate with the U.S. on equal terms in 1903. However, no change in the U.S. ownership is likely without considerable change in the relationship between the two countries.

*
Windward Point (Punta Barlovento) (1)
1904 (U.S.). Inactive officially since 1955 but recent Instagram photos show an unofficial white light. 18 m (60 ft) round cylindrical steel tower with six buttresses, lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, except the lantern roof is gray. This lighthouse, built and maintained by the U.S., is located on the U.S. Naval Base at Guantánamo. The original 1-story wood keeper's quarters houses the historical collection for the naval base. Kraig Anderson has a page for the lighthouse, Olivia Hooe's photo is at right, Josh Tedeschi has a 2019 photo, Michael Ortiz has a photo, the U.S. Coast Guard has a 1919 photo, Lighthouse Digest has a March 2006 feature article on the lighthouse, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Forand has a postcard photo of the station, and a Google satellite view is available. A temporary light may have been displayed here in 1899. The active beacon was moved in 1955 to a skeletal tower atop the hill behind the point (focal plane 103 m (377 ft); white flash every 5 s). Google has a satellite view of the new light. In January 2010 it was reported that the lighthouse was seriously deteriorated and might have to be demolished. Based on this report, the lighthouse was placed on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List. In 2015, with the lighthouse in advanced decay, engineers were hired to report on how it might be saved. Based on this report a full restoration of the lighthouse and keeper's house was carried out in 2016-17. Olivia Hooe's 2017 photo at right shows the results. The house is now a historical center, and permission has been requested to reopen the light tower to visitors. Located at the eastern entrance to Guantánamo Bay. Site open, keeper's quarters open Saturdays and Sundays, tower status unknown. Owner: U.S. Naval Station Guantánamo Bay. Site manager: Chief Petty Officers Association Heritage Committee (Guantanamo Bay Lighthouse and Historical Center ).  ARLHS GTM-001. Active light: USCG 3-33370; Admiralty J5024; NGA 13020.
McCalla Hill
Date unknown. Active (maintained by U.S. Navy); focal plane 53 m (174 ft); continuous red light. Skeletal mast atop one of the Naval Station buildings. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located in the Naval Station on Fisherman Point, north of Windward Point. Site and tower closed. USCG 3-33435; Admiralty J5033; NGA 13044.
Hicacal Beach
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24.5 m (80 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. Approx. 21 m (69 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower. The tower carries a rectangular daymark painted black. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. This light was originally the rear light of an entrance range for Guantánamo Bay, but the range has been discontinued. Forand has a postcard view of an early range light that must have been nearby. Located on a sandy point on the west side of Guantánamo Bay. Site and tower closed. USCG 3-33380; Admiralty J5026.1; NGA 13028.

Windward Point Light, Guantánamo Bay, August 2017
ex-Google Plus photo by Olivia Hooe

Santiago de Cuba Province Lighthouses
Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's second largest city with a metropolitan population approaching two million. Founded in 1514, Santiago de Cuba was the island's capital during the 16th century and the base from which Spain explored and conquered the Americas. It continues to be the busiest port on Cuba's south coast.
* Morro Santiago de Cuba (3)
1923 (station established 1842). Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 18 m (60 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern silver. 2nd order Fresnel lens in use. A 2013 photo is at the top of this page, Alexey Yurikov has a 2018 photo, Trabas has a closeup photo by Alfonso Biescas Vignau, Köhler has a photo, Guyomard and Carceller have several photos by Christian Penet, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Luis Pires has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The orginal lighthouse was a 10 m (33 ft) octagonal cast iron tower prefabricated in New York; Forand has a historic postcard view. That lighthouse was damaged during the Spanish-American War but U.S. authorities repaired it in 1899. The present tower was completed in 1914 but due to the disruptions caused by World War I its optical equipment was not installed until 1923. In the interim the light was displayed from a wood skeletal tower. The light station is a short distance east of the city's 17th century fortress, the Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on a headland about 1 km (0.6 mi) east of the Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS CUB-026; CU-0638; Admiralty J5046; NGA 13112.
Aserradero
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); white flash every 19 s. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower, painted white. A photo by Wilfried Kalinowski is at right and Google has a satellite view. The tower appears to be mounted on a concrete base. Located on a high bluff about 13 km (8 mi) west of the entrance to Santiago de Cuba. Site status unknown. CU-0665; Admiralty J5048; NGA 13154.

Aserradero Light, Santiago de Cuba, November 2017
photo copyright Wilfried Kalinowski; used by permission

Granma Province Lighthouses
** Cabo Cruz
1871. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 5 s. 32 m (105 ft) round masonry tower, unpainted white stone. 1-story stone keeper's quarters. A 2012 closeup photo is at right, R. Onschroeder has a 2013 closeup photo, Trabas has a photo by Capt. Theo Hinrichs, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks the southwestern tip of Granma province and the western end of the Sierra Maestra range, about 110 km (70 mi) north of Jamaica. It was in this area that Fidel Castro and his guerrillas landed in 1956. The photos indicate this lighthouse is very close to the beach; it may be endangered by beach erosion. Located at the end of Cuban highway 4, about 1.5 km (1 mi) east of the point of the cape. Site open, tower probably open. Site manager: Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma. ARLHS CUB-016; CU-0679; Admiralty J5054; NGA 13172.
Cayo Perla (Manzanillo) (2?)
Date unknown (station established 1902). Inactive since 2020. 9.5 m (29 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a platform supported by piles. No photo available but Google has a distant satellite view. The original light was on a mast. There may be ruins of a keeper's house on the cay. Located off the south side of a small cay about 10 km (6 mi) west of Manzanillo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ex-CU-0719; ex-Admiralty J5063; NGA 13204.

Camagüey Province South Coast Lighthouses
Named by Columbus, the Jardines de la Reina ("Gardens of the Queen") form an archipelago of more than 600 cays and small islands stretching parallel to Cuba's southeastern coast in Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila provinces. The islands are all included in the Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina, Cuba's largest nature reserve. The shallow sound between the islands and the mainland is called the Golfo de Ana María.

*
Santa Cruz del Sur
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); white flash every 7 s. Lantern atop a tall dockside building seen in Daniel Lago Leal's street view and Google's satellite view. Santa Cruz del Sur is a city of about 50,000 at the southernmost corner of Camagüey Province. Site open, tower closed. CU-0766.49; Admiralty J5073.5; NGA 13236.5.

Cabo Cruz Light, Granma Province, March 2012
Google Maps photo by R G A
Cayo Cabeza del Este
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 12 s. 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal aluminum skeletal tower, mounted on a pile foundation and painted white. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is located on a cay at the extreme southeastern end of the Jardines de la Reina off the southern coast of Camagüey province. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. CU-0825; Admiralty J5076; NGA 13284.
Cayo Cachiboca
1930. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower, mounted on a pile foundation and painted white. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is located on a cay near the southeastern end of the Jardines de la Reina off the southwestern coast of Camagüey province. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS CUB-040; CU-0826; Admiralty J5077; NGA 13340.
Cayo Santa María
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round barbell-shaped fiberglass tower colored with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island in the eastern Golfo de Ana María. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS CUB-025; CU-0788; Admiralty J5078.8; NGA 13292.

Ciego de Ávila Province South Coast Lighthouse
Cayo Bretón
1930. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 10 s. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower, mounted on square concrete platform supported by concrete piles. A 2006 photo is available and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is about 150 km (90 mi) northwest of Cayo Cachiboca, marking the western end of the Jardines de la Reina in Ciego de Ávila province. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS CUB-041; CU-0828; Admiralty J5084; NGA 13344.

Sancti Spíritus Province South Coast Lighthouses
Cayo Blanco de Zaza
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 12 s. 12 m (39 ft) square white skeletal tower mounted on a platform supported by piles. A photo by Reynaldo Rodriguez is at right and Google has a satellite view of the platform. Located at the south end of a small cay off the entrance to the Río Tunas. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. CU-0850; Admiralty J5084.8; NGA 13364.
Cayo Blanco de Casilda
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 7 s. 12 m (39 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a platform supported by piles. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located at the east end of a small cay off the entrance to Casilda, the harbor district of the town of Trinidad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. CU-0858; Admiralty J5090; NGA 13380.

Cayo Blanco de Zaza Light, Tunas
photo copyright Reynaldo Rodriguez courtesy of ILLW

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Bahamas | East: Haiti | South: Jamaica | West: Western Cuba

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted 2003. Checked and revised November 30, 2023. Lighthouses: 38. Site copyright 2023. Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.