The Lighthouses of Panama

The lighthouse is a twin of the Toro Point Light (see below). This is a landfall light for ships arriving at the Canal from the northeast. Located at the highest point of Isla Grande, a resort island off Punta Manzanillo, about 80 km northeast of the Canal entrance. Accessible by a 30 minute walk from the town and from nearby resorts. ^Toro ARLHS # PAN-026

The original tower was a 20 ft white, pyramidal steel framework tower on a tank house. Located about 6 mi west northwest of Isla Grande. ARLHS # PAN-023

This elegant lighthouse was built by the French during their efforts to construct the Canal. It is a familiar landmark for everyone passing through the waterway. Located on the west side of the entrance to Limon Bay from the Caribbean. Accessible by road. ARLHS # PAN-012

This lighthouse faces southbound (Pacific-bound) ships approaching the Gatún Locks from the Atlantic side. Located on Lighthouse Road in the town of Gatún, roughly 500 m east of the Gatún Locks and 1.2 km south of the middle range light.

Photo courtesy tispwisp [webshots]

Located on a concrete pier just off a peninsula projecting into the south side of Gatún Lake; this is the peninsula separating the two principal branches of the lake. Accessible only by boat.

This substantial lighthouse is located deep in the jungle about ½ mi south of the front light; a cleared corridor connects the two lights. The site is accessible by boat along a twisting side channel of the lake. ARLHS # PAN-029

Located on a peninsula projecting into the lake on the north side of Barro Colorado Island.

Located at the end of a cleared corridor on the north side of Barro Colorado Island, about 600 m southeast of the front light.

Located about 300 m behind the front light. See the picture above. ARLHS # PAN-035

Photo courtesy sparijs [webshots]

Located on a peninsula projecting into the lake northwest of Frijoles.

Located on the south side of the Bohio Peninsula near its base, northwest of Frijoles and about 800 m north of the front light.

Located in the open waters of the lake southeast of the Buena Vista Range.

Located at the base of a forested peninsula on the east side of the lake, about ¾ mi southeast of the front light.

Located just offshore of Caño Quebrado Point near the southeast corner of the lake; this is where northbound ships enter the wider waters of the lake and southbound ships enter the narrow section of the Canal. ARLHS # PAN-037

a skeletal tower with white panels as a daymark.

Located near the waterline at the head of a bay in the southeast corner of the lake.

Located surrounded by the jungle about ¼ mi south of the front light.

The range helps guide northbound ships through the middle portion of the Mamei Curve, which connects the San Pablo and Gamboa Reaches. Located on the east side (really the north bank) of the Canal about 1000 m west of the Gamboa Northbound Front Light. ARLHS # PAN-036

Located a short distance east of Darien marking the end of the westward Gamboa Reach leading into Gatún Lake.

Located on the east side of the Canal just south of the Miraflores Locks. The view from ships passing through the locks is excellent. ARLHS # PAN-033

Photo courtesy sparijs [webshots]

The lighthouse is located about 500 m east of the Miraflores Locks in an area crossed by powerlines. The main road paralleling the canal passes the lighthouse. ARLHS # PAN-030

Located on the west side of the Canal just south of the Bridge of the Americas in Balboa.

This range guided ships leaving the Miraflores 4 Locks and departing the Canal. The range was probably deactivated around 1962, when the Bridge of the Americas was completed, since the lights of the bridge now dominate this area. Located on the west side of the Canal channel just north of the bridge in Balboa. ARLHS # PAN-038

This light is located perhaps 100 m south of the Pacific Entrance Range Front Light. Located on the west side of the Canal just south of the Bridge of the Americas in Balboa. ARLHS # PAN-039

The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and causeway, but we do not know if this crossing is open to the public. ARLHS # PAN-024

The abandoned lighthouse was in very poor condition until the government of Panama restored it in 2000. Located at the foot of a headland at the west entrance to the Gulf of Panama about 175 km southwest of the Canal entrance. ARLHS # PAN-013

Located atop the headland at Punta Mala.

Located on a rocky islet about 25 km southwest of Punta Mala. ARLHS # PAN-025