Faro de Punta de Maisí
6VV4+MG2, Punta de Maisi, Cuba
Name and Location
The Faro de Punta de Maisí is a lighthouse located at the easternmost tip of mainland Cuba, on the coastal promontory of Punta de Maisí in Maisí, Guantánamo Province. The official name is Faro de Punta de Maisí, with Plus-code 6VV4+MG2 as its address.
2. Construction and History
The lighthouse was first lit on November 16, 1862, during the Spanish colonial administration's mid-19th century construction era. It has been in continuous operation since then, with a reference in nautical publications such as US NGA Pub. 110 (2012-05-10) and Admiralty List of Lights J 5018.
3. Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse stands 37 meters above ground level and is likely constructed from masonry or brick with a white limewash finish, typical of Spanish-era Cuban lighthouses. The tower takes the form of a cylindrical shape, with a single gallery encircling the lantern room.
4. Light and Navigation
The light characteristic is Fl(1) W 5 s (one white flash every 5 seconds), with a nominal range of 27 nautical miles. A backup/reserve indication is "Reserve light range 7 M." The lighthouse has been assumed to be automated since the mid-20th century, with no resident lighthouse keeper.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
The site is open to public access, offering a known viewpoint; however, the interior of the lantern is closed to visitors. To reach the site, take local roads from Maisí town (approximately 15 kilometers west) to the Punta de Maisí headland. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for the final stretch over unpaved terrain. On-site facilities are limited to a basic shade structure and interpretive panels at the parking area.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse offers panoramic views over the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispaniola, featuring a rocky shoreline dotted with scrub vegetation. The surrounding landscape is also home to seabirds and occasional humpback whales offshore (seasonally).
7. Anecdotes and Folklore
Locals sometimes refer to it as "El Ojo del Este" ("The Eastern Eye") for its role in guiding vessels into the Caribbean Sea.
8. Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is currently an active aid to navigation, designated both a tourist viewpoint and an operational light source under Cuban maritime safety regulations.
9. Further Information
- For further information on this topic, see the list of lighthouses in Cuba or the geography of Guantánamo Province.
Details
| Name | Faro de Punta de Maisí |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Country | Cuba |
| Coordinates | 20.2439008, -74.1429925 |
| Year of construction | 1862 |
| Events | No documented shipwrecks directly attributed to its light failure |
| Stories | Local fishermen sometimes refer to it as “El Ojo del Este” (“The Eastern Eye”) for its role in guiding vessels into the Caribbean Sea. |
| Construction material | "Likely masonry or brick with a white limewash finish, typical of Spanish-era Cuban lighthouses" |
| Focal height | 37 |
| Tower height | 37 |
| Access description | Local road from Maisí town (approx. 15 km west) to the Punta de Maisí headland. 4×4 recommended for final stretch over unpaved terrain. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | Rocky coast |
| View description | Panoramic views over the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispaniola. Rocky shoreline dotted with scrub vegetation; frequent sightings of seabirds and occasional humpback whales offshore (seasonal). |
| Facilities | Basic shade structure and interpretive panels at the parking area |
| Nearby attractions | ["Monument to the “Pilón” fishermen of Maisí","Playa La Avena (beach) to the south","Humedal de Punta Maisí (coastal wetland)"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl(1) W 5 s" |
| Light range | 27 |
| Automated | true |