Southeast Shoal Lighthouse

History

Shoals reach far south into the lake from Point Pelee, and the deep channel through the western end of Lake Erie, the Pelee Passage, runs just past their tip.^[2] Ships bound to and from the upper Great Lakes all pass this way, which made the spot a priority for a light.^[3] The Lake Carriers' Association chartered a private lightship for the shoal in 1901, and an official lightship took over in 1910.^[2]

The permanent station opened in 1927. The Canadian Register describes a square concrete building standing in about 20 feet of water on a pyramid-shaped base that slopes to the sandy bottom at 45 degrees, with large boulders piled around it.^[3] It combines the light, the keeper's living quarters and a boathouse, and its lantern was later replaced by a helicopter landing pad.^[3,2] The Lighthouse Directory gives the structure a height of about 18 metres (60 feet).^[2]

The station's darkest day came in July 1950, when an explosion and fire during refuelling gutted the building and killed the keeper, W.M. Moore, who had served there since it opened, along with a Coast Guard employee.^[3,2] The building was recognised as a Classified Federal Heritage Building in 1990.^[3]

The light is still in service. The Canadian Coast Guard's 2026 List of Lights shows a red flash every ten seconds from 21.3 metres above the water, with a nominal range of 15 nautical miles; the U.S. Light List notes a white winter light.^[1,4] Together with the Pelee Passage light to the west, it marks the two ends of the passage.^[2] The station is closed and can be seen only from a boat.^[2]

How to see it

View from a boat Offshore or on a closed breakwater; seen from the water.

Best public viewpoint

Only from the water; the station stands in open lake about six miles offshore.^[2]

Tower climbs

No public tower climbs have been offered, as far as our sources show.

Operator

Canadian Coast Guard

Last verified

Last verified 2026-10

Access details last verified 2026-10. Hours, tours and ownership change. Check the operator before you go. Pier and breakwater lights can be dangerous in wind and waves; obey posted closures and never enter private or Coast Guard property.

Questions people ask

Can you visit the Southeast Shoal Lighthouse?

No. It stands in open water about six miles south of Point Pelee and is closed; it can be seen only from a boat.

What happened at Southeast Shoal in 1950?

An explosion and fire during refuelling in July 1950 gutted the building and killed the keeper, W.M. Moore, and a Coast Guard employee.

Is the Southeast Shoal light active?

Yes. The 2026 Canadian List of Lights shows Fl R 10s at 21.3 metres.