Cape Engaño (Dominican Republic)

Cape Engaño lighthouse
LocationCape Engaño, Dominican Republic
Coordinates18°34′01″N 68°19′35″W / 18.567028°N 68.326278°W / 18.567028; -68.326278
Tower
Constructed1915 
Constructionmetal skeletal tower
Height20 m (66 ft) 
Shapesquare pyramidal tower with balcony
Markingsunpainted (tower) 
Light
First lit1990 
Focal height43 m (141 ft) 
Range11 nmi (20 km; 13 mi) 
CharacteristicFl W 5s 

Cabo Engaño is the easternmost point of the island of Hispaniola, on the territory of the Dominican Republic. Cape Engaño contains dangerous reefs near Santo Domingo. Punta Cana International Airport, the nation's busiest, lies slightly south of the cape.

In 1502, a large part of a Spanish fleet of 30-32 ships filled with treasures and colonists and other men bound for Spain sunk during a violent storm, somewhere close to Cape Engaño. This fleet was sent by order of governor Nicolas Ovando. 5-10 ships, although damaged, survived and returned to the port of departure, except for only one, the "Aguja", which safely reached Spain.