[1] Its construction was initiated by the shipowner Otto Wathne [is] from Seyðisfjörður.
The older lighthouse was replaced by a taller one in 1908, fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1985–1987.
Since then it has been under the care of the Sjóminjasafn Austurlands Maritime Museum and has been a listed building since 2006.
The taller tower has also served as a weather station since 1938 until today.
[2] The Mjóafjarðarvegur (T953) [de] leads directly from the ring road with a distance of 47 kilometres (29 mi) to the headland.