Name and Location

The Kolbeinstangi Lighthouse marks the entrance to Leiðarhöfn harbour on the east coast of Vopnafjörður fjord in northeast Iceland. Its official name is "Kolbeinstangi" (NGA Light List reference L 4716).

Construction and History

The construction year or architect of the lighthouse are unknown, but it likely dates back to the latter half of the 20th century when many Icelandic harbour lights were standardized. The lighthouse was charted in U.S. NGA Publication 115 (2010) and has been in service as a navigational aid ever since.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands on a small pier/jetty ("stangi") at the mouth of Leiðarhöfn harbour, facing the open fjord. The structure is approximately 24 meters tall, with no information available on its construction materials.

Light and Navigation

Kolbeinstangi is an active sector light, marking the entrance to Leiðarhöfn harbour. Its light characteristic is LFl 2 + 8 every 10 s (group flashing two quick flashes followed by eight quick flashes in a 10-second period). The light has different coloured and white sectors visible up to 12–15 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is accessible by road, following Route 85 north from Vopnafjörður village, then turning east onto the harbour access road to Leiðarhöfn. The public may walk onto the pier but not climb the structure. There are no guided tours or visitor facilities on site; the tower is unstaffed and fenced.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse stands in a sheltered northern pier of Leiðarhöfn, facing the open fjord. The landscape is typical northeast Icelandic coast—rocky shoreline, low-lying hills, grazing sheep on nearby pastures. Visitors can enjoy good panoramic views over Vopnafjörður, with the town of Vopnafjörður about 5 km south along the fjord.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are recorded for this lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The maximum range of the light is 15 nautical miles in white sectors; 12 nautical miles in red and green sectors. There is no AIS or radar reflector installation recorded on official publications. The lighthouse is presumed fully automated, with no on-site keeper.

Further Information

For more information, consult NGA List of Lights – Pub. 115 (2010), Light L 4716; Iceland Pilot (Den Norske Turistforening / Icelandic Coast Guard publications); Icelandic Safe Water Administration (Siglingastofnun Íslands); and Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps?q=65.7689113,-14.7922718