Faro de Punta de Teno
83RG+J7, 38480, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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The Faro de Punta de Teno is a coastal lighthouse located in Buenavista del Norte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Its official name is Faro de Punta de Teno, and it is situated at the western tip of Tenerife.
Construction and History
The original masonry lighthouse was established in 1896. Due to storm damage in 1940, a new tower was inaugurated in 1976, replacing the original structure. The lighthouse has been classified as a historic maritime aid since then.
Architecture and Materials
The current tower is made of reinforced concrete atop a one-storey service building. It has a cylindrical shape with a balcony and lantern. The tower stands 11 meters tall and marks the coastline with two broad horizontal red bands.
Light and Navigation
- The lighthouse emits a Fl W 7.5 s light characteristic, visible up to 18 nautical miles (approximately 33 km).
- The light uses a modernized Fresnel lens and is powered by mains electricity with battery backup.
Accessibility and Visiting
The grounds are accessible via the Punta de Teno road, subject to periodic closures for safety and weather. However, visitors cannot enter the tower interior. Grounds parking areas and viewpoints are nearby.
Notable Views and Landscape
The surrounding landscape features rugged volcanic cliffs dropping into the Atlantic Ocean, part of the Teno Rural Park. Visitors can enjoy spectacular sunset views across the bay to the Los Gigantes cliffs (Acantilados de Los Gigantes). The area is also home to seabird nesting colonies and occasional sightings of pilot whales offshore.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Local lore suggests that fishermen in the early 20th century believed the old keeper could "talk" to storms and calm squalls before they reached the coast. However, this story has not been officially documented.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is fully automated and powered by mains electricity with battery backup. It does not have radar or AIS equipment on site, but it may be integrated into regional networks.
Further Information
For further information, readers can consult the Spanish Hydrographic Office's "Faros de España" catalogue, Gobierno de Canarias' "Guía del Parque Rural de Teno", and Wikimedia Commons.
Details
| Name | Faro de Punta de Teno |
|---|---|
| City | Buenavista del Norte |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 28.3420286, -16.9230016 |
| Year of construction | 1976 |
| Events | During the winter of 1940, a severe gale severely damaged the original 1896 tower, necessitating its eventual replacement. |
| Stories | Local lore suggests that, in the early 20th century, fishermen swore the old keeper could “talk” to storms and calm squalls before they reached the coast. |
| Focal height | 60 |
| Tower height | 11 |
| Access description | Drive west from Buenavista del Norte along TF-436 (Carretera de Punta de Teno) – a scenic but narrow mountain road; occasional shuttle bus services operate during summer months |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | Rugged volcanic cliffs |
| View description | Rugged volcanic cliffs dropping to the Atlantic Ocean; part of Teno Rural Park (Parque Rural de Teno); spectacular sunset vistas |
| Facilities | No on-site museum or visitor center; parking area and viewpoints nearby |
| Nearby attractions | Teno Rural Park trails (hiking and bird-watching), Mirador de La Peña, Town of Buenavista del Norte (traditional Canarian architecture, local restaurants) |
| Light characteristic | Fl W 7.5 s |
| Light range | 18 |
| Automated | true |