The lighthouse was named after Fontes Pereira de Melo, prime minister of Portugal for several times between 1871 and 1886.

It is a white octagonal masonry tower, 16 meters high.

[2] Its focal height is 162 meters above sea level, and its range is 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi).

[1] The adjacent building for the lighthouse keeper is abandoned and in poor condition.

[2] October 2017 photos on Google Maps show the lighthouse is no longer there, with only underground parts of the interior and the stairwell still visible[1].