Farol do Carapacho/Farol da Ponta da Restinga

The Lighthouse of Carapacho, also known as Farol do Carapacho or Farol da Ponta da Restinga, is located on the island of Graciosa in the Azores, Portugal. It was built in 1956 and features a cylindrical tower with eight ribs, rising from a one-storey keeper's house with a balcony and lantern. The tower is unpainted, with a red lantern dome and trim, and stands at a height of 14 meters.

The lighthouse began operating on May 26, 1956, with a fifth-order optics and a range of 19 nautical miles. Over the years, the light source and optics have been upgraded, including a change to a white beacon in 1961, which improved the range to 20 nautical miles. In 1978, the lighthouse was automated with a solar valve system that allows the light to be active or inactive based on atmospheric conditions.

Today, the Lighthouse of Carapacho is still operational, with a 50 Watt/12 Volt halogen light and a sixth-order lamp. It was connected to the electrical network on the island in 1987, and is an important aid to navigation for ships passing through the area. The lighthouse has a rich history, with proposals for its construction dating back to 1883, and has undergone several changes and upgrades over the years to improve its functionality and range.

Light and tower

It has a cylindrical tower with eight ribs rising from a one-storey keeper's house with balcony and lantern tower. The tower is built of concrete. Its daymark is unpainted tower, red lantern dome and trim. The light has a focal height of 191 metres. The light has a range of 20 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (2) W 10s. It was automated in 1978.