Vesturbær Minor Light
Vesturbær, 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Name and Location
The Vesturbær Minor Light is a small navigational aid located in Reykjavík, Iceland. It marks the western approach to Reykjavík Harbour and serves as a guide for small vessels entering the harbour basin.
Construction and History
Architecture and Materials
The structure and material composition of the Vesturbær Minor Light are not publicly documented. However, it is typical of Icelandic harbour beacons to be made of metal or concrete posts.
Light and Navigation
The light has a characteristic flashing every 2 seconds, with a green colour. It is an unstaffed, fully automated beacon, serving as an active navigational aid for small vessels entering Reykjavík's Vesturbær harbour basin.
Accessibility and Visiting
The light itself is not open to the public but can be viewed from the adjacent quayside promenade. Visitors can reach the light by walking westward from Harpa Concert Hall along the Ingólfsgarður waterfront path for approximately 600 m.
Notable Views and Landscape
From its location, the Vesturbær Minor Light offers a unique view of Reykjavík's low skyline and the distant Esja mountain range. At night, its green flash marks the port entrance sector.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No notable anecdotes or folklore are documented about the Vesturbær Minor Light.
Technical and Operational Details
The light is operated by the Icelandic Coast Guard – Aids to Navigation Division (inferred; official Icelandic Maritime Administration). It relies on harbour VTS and onboard navigation systems for vessel guidance, rather than standalone AIS or radar installations.
Further Information
For further information on the Vesturbær Minor Light, consult U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Publication 115 "Sailing Directions (Enroute) – West Coast of Europe and Northwest Africa" under reference L 4506.
Details
| Name | Vesturbær Minor Light |
|---|---|
| City | Reykjavík |
| Country | Iceland |
| Coordinates | 64.1528606, -21.9320938 |
| Tower height | 7 |
| Access description | Walk westward from Harpa Concert Hall along the Ingólfsgarður waterfront path for approximately 600 m. |
| Landscape type | Urban harbour setting |
| View description | The light stands at the harbour’s edge against a backdrop of Reykjavík’s low skyline and the distant Esja mountain range. |
| Facilities | toilets, café |
| Nearby attractions | ["Harpa Concert Hall","Ingólfsgarður pedestrian walk","Ægisgarður bayfront park"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl G 2 s" |
| Automated | true |