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Assateague Lighthouse

Fl W 5s🇺🇸Virginia, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Assateague Lighthouse

Constructed in 1867, the Assateague Light stands 43 meters tall with a focal height of 47 meters. This conical tower is painted in alternating red and white bands. It replaced an earlier 1833 structure that was 14 meters high. The lighthouse is situated on the southern end of Assateague Island, within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Access is possible via a road from Chincoteague Island over the Assateague Channel. A significant renovation project was finished in October 2013, which included repairs to the lower gallery deck, glass replacement, and exterior painting.

Why it matters: Assateague Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to function as an active aid to navigation.

Background
Assateague Light is the 142-foot-tall (43 m) lighthouse located on the southern end of Assateague Island off the coast of the Virginia Eastern Shore, United States. The lighthouse is located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and can be accessed by road from Chincoteague Island over the Assateague Channel. It is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and is still used as an active aid in navigation. The keeper's quarters are used as seasonal housing for refuge temporary employees, volunteers, and interns. Constructed in 1867 to replace a shorter lighthouse 45-foot-tall (14 m) built in 1833, the lighthouse is conical in shape and is painted in alternating bands of red and white. A $1.5 million renovation was completed in October 2013. This included replacement of the lower gallery deck, removal & replacement of glass, restoration of the widow's walk & painting of the exterior.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
47m

Construction & History

Year Built
1867
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4808548 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
43m

Location

City
Virginia
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
37.9110°
Longitude
-75.3560°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Assateague Lighthouse at night?+
Assateague displays the characteristic Fl W 5s — 1 white flash every 5 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Assateague Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Assateague Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Nelsonia at 12.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include POCOMOKE CITY (14.2 NM NW), Westover (20.4 NM NW), SOMERS COVE (24.1 NM W), Berlin (24.9 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Assateague Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Assateague Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Assateague Lighthouse?+
Assateague Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Assateague Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Assateague Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.