The lighthouse, designed by Emili Pou, was inaugurated on May 15, 1861, with a fixed light.
The everyday life in a lighthouse changed substantially over the years, mainly due to the progressive development of the technology used in maritime lighting. Without a doubt, the hardest times were the initial ones, when there were squares of very difficult performance, and in which the bullfighters and their families had to live on islands so small that in some of them the sea water, in days of storm, entered through the windows of the houses. There were many occasions when, due to bad weather, the supply of food had to be postponed to distressing limits.
With the passing of time, the isolation gradually became more bearable, due to the incorporation of elements such as motor boats for trips to the islets. Thus, in 1866 the boat service was put up for auction, so in 1867 the sailors stopped living on the island and moved to the Port of Alcudia, having to make two trips a week to the lighthouse, or extra trips if the bullfighters communicated an urgent need by placing a white flag.
In 1960 the lighthouse was removed and a non-visible one was placed in its place. At that time the lighting was automated by means of a solar valve.
This was the reason why, the following year, the lighthouse was left without resident personnel.
As in many other lighthouses, the Alcanada bullfighters took an active part in helping the victims of several shipwrecks.