Lights and sailing guidance

IRCA manages the operation of the land light system and monitors the construction of lighthouses and navigational aids.  IRCA’s maintenance and supervision of lights is divided into monitoring of light equipment on one hand and maintenance of lighthouse constructions on the other hand.

IRCA role

IRCA’s role is to provide mariners along the Icelandic coastline and in the Icelandic fishing grounds with necessary guidance for safe sailing with the operation of various route marking systems, located outside of the vessels. These route markings include beacons, electronic AIS signals, and marine navigational aids, either landlocked or floating along the coastline.  In addition, various navigational equipment is used, such as radar beacons, radar detectors, and accelerometer buoys.   The whole route markings system is referred to as the land light system.

IRCA also offers technical assistance and advice for building up a route markings system within Iceland’s harbours and has the authority to demand that the port authority repair at their own cost lights and other route markings, which IRCA deems necessary for safe sailing in the harbour area in question.  The route markings system within harbours, is called the harbour light system.  The joint name for the land light system and the harbour light system is “The Icelandic Light System”.

In addition the information system sjolag.is is operated on the IRCA website. On the website we publish weather information from weather stations located in selected lighthouses and measurements obtained from 11 wave sensors that are located all around the country.

IRCA’s maintenance and supervision of the Icelandic light system is divided into monitoring of electrical and light equipment on one hand and maintenance of lighthouse constructions and navigation systems on the other hand. It is necessary to properly maintain the lights’ exterior since they are used as day marks for mariners and the light locations are often in places greatly exposed to salty winds and extreme weather conditions.

According to provision 13 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS from 1974) the member countries of the convention are obligated to install a marine navigational system as appropriate for the marine traffic in the respective country, taking account of the local danger level.


The Icelandic Light System is divided into two main categories, navigational lighthouses and harbour lighthouses. The light system includes all lighthouses and other route markings/navigational aids that are considered beneficial to general marine traffic along the coast, as well as to fishing vessels. Harbour lighthouses and other navigational aids that are only implemented to provide navigation for vessels into a harbour area and specific ports, are considered harbour lights. Harbour area is defined as the area within the harbour’s jurisdiction.

The land light system consists of 104 light beacons, 11 buoys, and 16 radar beacons that are placed in landscapes where it is difficult to reach a radar signal aboard vessels.

The harbour light system consists of little less than 20 light beacons, around 90 entry lights on levees or piers, more than 80 navigational light ribbons and just under 50 buoys that mark a safe entry into the harbour.

Málmeyjarviti

Málmeyjarviti


Marine navigational aids are equipment, systems, or services that are situated outside of vessels, designed and used to increase safety and efficiency in marine traffic.

If port authorities or an individual want to set up marine navigational aids, their construction and location shall be decided in cooperation with IRCA. Marine navigational aids cannot be implemented until an inspection has been performed by the Icelandic Transport Authority, that has the responsibility to advertise the navigational aid according to Act No. 132/1999 on Lighthouses.

Port authorities or an individual, that have been authorised to and have implemented a navigational aid are obligated to maintain the aid, and notify the Icelandic Transport Authority or IRCA of any changes made to it, without delay. If the navigational aid is not maintained sufficiently in the opinion of the Icelandic Transport Authority and IRCA, IRCA is authorised to carry out the necessary repairs, at the expense of the owner. Should port authorities or an individual decide to discontinue the use of or change the navigational aid, an application thereto shall be submitted to IRCA

IRCA has the authority to demand that the port authority repair at their own cost lights and other navigational aids that IRCA deems necessary for safe sailing in the harbour area in question. Maintenance and operations of such lights and navigational aids also fall under this cost.

Act No. 132/1999 on Lighthouses


Types of navigational beacons

  • Light towers:  A light tower is a large lighthouse that usually only emits rotating white light.  It has the luminous range of 10 nautical miles and is a navigational aid for vessels that are sailing from open sea and closing in on the coast.
  • Route markings: A leading line with beacons and day marks. Is clearly visible throughout the traffic lane.
  • Sector lights:  This type of light marks safe sailing routes with white light and dangerous corners/sectors, shallows or other danger and areas that are unsuitable for sailing, such as port areas, with light of different colours.
  • Port lights: Smaller lights that mark the entry into the harbour.
  • Directional lights: Lights that mark traffic lanes without day marks in narrow areas. In this case, the lights are only visible in delimited areas.
  • Aeronautical beacon: A light beacon that emits a high beam that is most often visible from a larger distance than light from a beacon for mariners.  Aeronautical beacons do not fall under the operation or management of IRCA, they are nevertheless registered in the List of Lights as marine navigational aids.
  • The lighting-up and extinguishing times of lighthouses and navigational aids:
  • The time Icelandic lighthouses and navigational aids are lit is determined by the 65’30 north latitude.

Light sensors are used to turn on and turn off the lights, which means that the time they are lit depends on the daylight not the location. Some lights are nevertheless lit 24 hours.

Selskersviti

Selskersviti

Seleyjarviti

Seleyjarviti


List of lighthouses

The List of Lights is published by the Icelandic Coast Guard while IRCA is responsible for the publication according to the Act on Lighthouses. Included in the register are lights, their locations, characteristics etc., buoys, radar beacons, marine navigational aids and more. Below you will find an overview of Icelandic lights.


Lighthouse history

In autumn 2002, the Icelandic Maritime Administration published a book on the history of the Icelandic lighthouse service: Vitar á Íslandi Leiðarljós á landsins ströndum 1878-2002 written by Guðmundur Bernódusson, Guðmundur L. Hafsteinsson and Kristján Sveinsson. This book describes the history of the Icelandic lighthouse service, from its origin to our time. The construction and operation of the lighthouse system is described as well as the connection between lighthouse architecture and trends and styles of the time periods in question. The book is adorned with a number of photographs.


Law and regulation

International rules

In particular, the International Convention, Chapter V specifically states that that chapter shall apply to all ships at sea, and not just SOLAS ships as other chapters of the Convention specify.

Chapter V thus does not distinguish seafarers in any other way than based on the frequency of navigation and the risk that is present, regardless of the type of ship that sails.


List of lighthouses

Below you can see the national lighthouse in Iceland, the name of the lighthouse, light characteristics, distance, location and number. The lighthouses in the list below are the lighthouses that are monitored and maintained by the Road Administration.

NafnLjóseinkenniSjónarlengdStaðurNúmer
Akranesviti
Fl(2)WRG 20s
15W 12R 12G
64 18,53N 22 05,70V
L4520
Alviðruhamrarviti
Mo(R)W 20s
16W
63 27,31N 18 18,52V
L4776
Arnarnesviti
LFl WRG 10s
15W 12R 12G
66 05,93N 23 02,32V
L4584
Arnarstapaviti
LFl WRG 5s
11W 8R 8G
64 46,12N 23 36,97V
L4532
Bakkafjöruviti
Fl W 3s
7W
63 32,15N 20 09,30V
L4781
Bjargtangaviti
Fl(3)W 15s
16W
65 30,15N 24 31,90V
L4560
Bjarnareyjarviti
Fl(3)W 20s
10W
65 47,14N 14 18,49V
L4721
Brimnesviti
Fl(2)WRG 10s
8W 5R 5G
65 18,50N 13 46,15V
L4726
Bríkurviti
Fl(3)W 10s
6W
66 07,14N 18 36,60V
L4660.6
Dalatangaviti
Fl W 5s
14W
65 16,21N 13 34,49V
L4730
Digranesviti
Fl WRG 20s
15W 12R 12G
66 03,45N 14 43,91V
L4714
Dyrhólaeyjarviti
Fl W 10s
27W
63 24,13N 19 07,83V
L4780
Elliðaeyjarviti
Fl WRG 10s
12W 8R 7G
65 08,73N 22 48,19V
L4552
Faxaskersviti
Fl W 7s
6W
63 27,64N 20 14,38V
L4782
Fjallaskagaviti
Fl W 5s
12W
66 00,50N 23 48,70V
L4574
Flatey á Skjálfanda
Fl(3)W 15s
10W
66 09,79N 17 50,45V
L4678
Galtarviti
Fl W 10s
12W
66 09,79N 23 34,27V
L4578
Garðskagaviti
Fl W 5s
15W
64 04,92N 22 41,40V
L4480
Geirfuglaskersviti
Fl W 15s
7W
63 19,07N 20 29,82V
L4800
Gerðistangaviti
Fl(2)WRG 10s
6W 4R 4G
64 00,74N 22 21,11V
L4494
Gjögurviti
Fl(4)WRG 30s
15W 12R 12G
65 59,76N 21 19,01V
L4616
Glettinganesviti
LFl(2)W 30s
12W
65 30,63N 13 36,46V
L4724
Grenjanesviti
LFl W 20s
15W
66 15,48N 15 20,13V
L4710
Grímsey á Steingrímsfirði
Fl WRG 10s
10W 7R 7G
65 41,17N 21 23,72V
L4620
Grímseyjarviti
Fl W 20s
15W
66 31,69N 17 58,90V
L4674
Grímuviti
Fl W 8s
12W
65 00,37N 13 55,32V
L4735
Gróttuviti
Fl(3)WRG 20s
15W 13R 13G
64 09,90N 22 01,32V
L4501
Hafnarnesviti
Fl WRG 20s
12W 9R 9G
64 52,46N 13 45,96V
L4738
Hegranesviti
LFl WRG 15s
15W 12R 12G
65 46,19N 19 32,54V
L4644
Hjalteyrarviti
Fl(2)WRG 20s
12W 12R 12G
65 51,11N 18 11,46V
L4666
Hornbjargsviti
Fl(2)W 20s
12W
66 24,64N 22 22,75V
L4606
Hólmsbergsviti
Fl(2)WRG 20s
16W 12R 12G
64 01,82N 22 33,42V
L4483
Hópsnesviti
LFl(3)WRG 20s
13W 12R 12G
63 49,58N 22 24,39V
L4828
Hraunhafnatangi
Mo(N)WR 30s
10W 7R
66 32,17N 16 01,57V
L4699
Hríseyjarviti
Fl WRG 8s
15W 12R 12G
66 01,09N 18 24,03V
L4660
Hrollaugseyjarviti
Fl W 20s
9W
64 01,68N 15 58,66V
L4770
Hrólfsskersviti
Fl W 3s
8W
66 05,39N 18 25,12V
L4658
Hvaleyraviti
Fl WRG 6s
6W 4R 4G
64 20,55N 21 43,89V
L4516
Hvalnesviti
Fl(2)W 20s
15W
64 24,14N 14 32,41V
L4764
Hvanneyjarviti
Fl WRG 5s
12W 9R 9G
64 13,82N 15 11,24V
L4768
Höskuldseyjaviti
Fl WRG 6s
10W 7R 7G
65 05,72N 23 00,81V
L4550
Ingólfshöfðaviti
Fl(2)W 10s
17W
63 48,10N 16 38,23V
L4772
Kambanesviti
Fl(4)WRG 20s
16W 13R 13G
64 48,07N 13 50,33V
L4744
Karlsstaðatangi
Fl(2)WRG 10s
11W 9R 9G
64 41,27N 14 13,70V
L4750
Kálfshamarsviti
LFl(2)WRG 20s
15W 12R 12G
66 01,03N 20 25,98V
L4635
Ketilflesarviti
Fl(3)WRG 15s
7W 5R 5G
64 36,95N 14 14,85V
L4760
Kirkjuhólsviti
Fl WRG 10s
15W 12R 12G
64 48,33N 23 05,78V
L4531
Klofningsviti
Fl(2)WRG 15s
7W 5R 5G
65 22,38N 22 57,01V
L4556
Knarrarósviti
LFl W 30s
16W
63 49,40N 20 58,54V
L4804
Kópaskersviti
Fl WRG 20s
14W 12R 12G
66 18,39N 16 28,08V
L4690
Krísuvíkurberg
Fl W 10s
9W
63 49,80N 22 04,15V
L4826
Krossnesviti
Fl(4)WRG 20s
13W 11R 11G
64 58,28N 23 21,42V
L4544
Kögurviti
Fl WRG 15s
8W 5R 5G
65 36,52N 13 51,77V
L4722
Landahólsviti
Fl WRG 4s
15W 12R 12G
64 49,56N 13 49,61V
L4743
Langanesviti
Fl(2)W 10s
10W
66 22,71N 14 31,98V
L4712
Langanesviti við Arnafjörð
Fl WRG 15s
10W 7R 7G
65 43,18N 23 31,96V
L4568
Lundeyjarviti
Fl W 5s
7W
66 06,96N 17 22,21V
L4686
Malarhornsviti
Fl(2)WRG 15s
15W 11R 11G
65 41,41N 21 26,18V
L4622
Malarrifsviti
Fl(4)WRG 30s
16W 13R 13G
64 43,69N 23 48,17V
L4534
Málmeyjarviti
Fl(2)WRG 15s
11W 8R 8G
66 00,45N 19 32,29V
L4648
Melrakkanes
Fl WR 12s
9W 7R
66 23,78N 15 42,31V
L4706
Miðleiðaskersviti
Fl W 8s
5W
65 27,77N 22 41,53V
L4557
N-Straumnesviti
Fl WRG 6s
10W 8R 8G
66 04,63N 19 21,26V
L4650
Norðfjarðahorn (Gullþúfa)
Fl W 15s
6W
65 09,96N 13 30,76V
L4730.6
Ólafsviti
LFl WRG 20s
15W 12R 12G
65 36,58N 24 09,60V
L4562
Óshólaviti
Fl(3)WR 20s
15W 11R
66 09,13N 23 12,53V
L4580
Papeyjarviti
Fl WRG 10s
12W 9R 8G
64 35,47N 14 10,48V
L4762
Rauðinúpsviti
Mo(R)W 20s
16W
66 30,50N 16 32,63V
L4696
Raufarhafnaviti
Fl(3)WRG 20s
9W 7R 6G
66 27,24N 15 55,96V
L4700
Reykjanes aukaviti
Fl W 3s
9W
63 48,03N 22 41,86V
L4468
Reykjanesviti
Fl(2)W 30s
22W
63 48,94N 22 42,26V
L4466
Sauðanesviti
Fl(3)WR 20s
16W 12R
66 11,22N 18 57,06V
L4652
Sauðanesviti við Súgandafjörð
Fl W 20s
7W
66 07,08N 23 39,41V
L4575
Seleyjarviti
Fl(3)WRG 25s
8W 6R 5G
64 58,65N 13 31,19V
L4733
Selskersviti
Mo(N)W 30s
10W
66 07,45N 21 30,97V
L4608
Selvogsviti
Fl(2)W 10s
14W
63 49,27N 21 39,10V
L4824
Siglunesviti
Fl W 7,5s
12W
66 11,56N 18 49,25V
L4656
Skaftárósviti
Fl W 3s
14W
63 38,95N 17 49,77V
L4774
Skagatáarviti
Fl W 10s
13W
66 07,16N 20 05,93V
L4636
Skarðsfjöruviti
Mo(C)W 30s
15W
63 31,07N 17 58,71V
L4775
Skarðsviti
Fl(3)WRG 30s
16W 12R 12G
65 29,13N 20 59,25V
L4628
Skarfaklettsviti
Fl W 3s
5W
65 28,29N 22 35,83V
L4556.5
Skorarviti
Fl W 5s
7W
65 24,90N 23 57,14V
L4558
Sléttueyraviti
Fl(2)WRG 10s
7W 5R 5G
66 17,77N 22 57,84V
L4600
Stafnesviti
Fl(3)WR 15s
12W 12R
63 58,25N 22 45,14V
L4472
Stokksnesviti
Fl(3)WRG 30s
16W 14R 14G
64 14,39N 14 57,84V
L4766
Stórhöfðaviti
Fl(3)W 20s
16W
63 23,97N 20 17,31V
L4784
Straumnesviti
Fl W 4s
10W
66 25,83N 23 08,07V
L4604
Streitisviti
Fl(3)WRG 20s
14W 12R 12G
64 43,79N 13 59,14V
L4749.2
Svalbarðseyrarviti
LFl WRG 6s
11W 11R 11G
65 44,64N 18 05,47V
L4668
Svalvogaviti
LFl(2)WRG 20s
11W 8R 8G
65 54,59N 23 50,76V
L4570
Svörtuloftaviti
Fl(2)W 10s
11W
64 51,82N 24 02,34V
L4538
Tjörnesviti
Fl(2)W 15s
16W
66 12,40N 17 08,67V
L4688
Urðaviti
Fl(3)WRG 15s
15W 12R 12G
63 26,19N 20 13,66V
L4786
Vattarnesviti
Fl(2)WRG 15s
15W 12R 12G
64 56,17N 13 41,12V
L4734
Þorlákshöfn (Hafnarnes)
Fl W 3s
12W
63 51,07N 21 21,65V
L4820
Þormóðsskersviti
LFl WRG 20s
11W 8R 8G
64 26,00N 22 18,56V
L4526
Þrídrangaviti
Mo(N)W 30s
9W
63 29,33N 20 30,79V
L4802
Æðarsteinsviti
Fl WRG 5s
11W 9R 9G
64 40,09N 14 17,62V
L4754
Æðeyjarviti
Fl(2)WRG 22s
15W 12R 12G
66 05,47N 22 39,64V
L4582
Öndverðanesviti
Fl W 3s
8W
64 53,11N 24 02,66V
L4540