Name and Location

The Vaindloo Lighthouse (Estonian: Vaindloo tuletorn) is situated on Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, at 59°49′01″ N, 26°21′38″ E. The island is an uninhabited nature reserve, known for seabird colonies and seal haul-outs.

Construction and History

The first light on Vaindloo Island was established in the early 18th century (c. 1718-1724) by order of the Imperial Russian Navy to guide shipping through the Gulf of Finland. The present iron tower dates from 1871 and was erected under Imperial Russian administration, replacing a smaller wooden structure.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a natural rock outcrop foundation tied into masonry, with a prefabricated cast-iron tower bolted into a tapered cylindrical shaft. The external finish is painted red, with gallery railings and lantern dome painted black. The height of the tower is 17 meters above base, and the focal plane is 20 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is one flash every 15 seconds (Fl 1 15 s), with white and red sectors covering specific areas to guide ships safely through the waters. The nominal range for the white sector is 11 nautical miles, while the red sector has a range of 7 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The tower interior is closed to visitors. Vaindloo Island can be visited only by private boat or charter; there are no regular ferry services. Landing conditions are difficult, with no jetties – landing is by inflatable dinghy or small craft in calm weather. No facilities ashore apart from the lighthouse building itself.

Notable Views and Landscape

The island terrain is characterized by low-lying boulder fields, moss and lichen carpets, and nesting sites for terns and gulls. From the top of the lighthouse, you can enjoy panoramic sea views in all directions, with a clear day offering a glimpse of the Finnish coast to the north.

Anecdotes and Folklore

During World War I and II, the station was of strategic importance for naval operations in the Gulf of Finland. Several shipwrecks lie on nearby shoals, which are warned against by the red sector light. Keeper's logbooks record polar night storms that battered the cast-iron tower with waves over 5 meters high.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated and no longer staffed. It is maintained by the Estonian Maritime Administration and listed as a cultural heritage monument of Estonia (registry no. 9-2014/1).

Further Information

For further reading, visit the Estonian-language Wikipedia page or consult the "AtoN Catalogue" from the Estonian Maritime Administration. Nearby attractions include Lahemaa National Park, Vainupea Cliff, and Haljala Parish cultural sites.