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Balboa Wharf Lighthouse

Fl Red 1s🇵🇦Ancón, PAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Balboa Wharf Lighthouse

Also known as: Balboa Wharf (No. 24)

This white cylindrical skeletal tower, standing 16 meters tall with its light positioned at 19 meters, marks the inside of a course turn for the Panama Canal. It features a black horizontal band and emits a red flashing light every second. The lighthouse is located at the south end of the main quay at Balboa, a district of Panama City at the Canal entrance. It is situated 0.6 kilometers from the nearest port of Balboa. The structure has a square base.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for the safe navigation of large vessels transiting the Panama Canal, specifically warning about the precise inside edge of a critical turn in the waterway. Its continuous operation prevents groundings and collisions in a high-traffic area where precision is paramount for global trade.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 1s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
1s
Raw Code
Fl R 1s
Focal Height
19m
Geographic Range
12.9NM

Location

City
Ancón
Country
🇵🇦Panama
Region
Panamá Province
Sea Region
Marks the inside of a turn in the course of the Panama Canal, located at the south end of the main quay at Balboa, a district of Panama City at the Canal entrance.
Latitude
8.9477°
Longitude
-79.5677°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a black horizontal band

Structure: square cylindrical white skeletal tower

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Balboa(0.6 km)
Admiralty No.
G3199.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Balboa Wharf Lighthouse at night?+
Balboa Wharf displays the characteristic Fl Red 1s. 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Balboa Wharf Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Balboa Wharf Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Balboa at 0.2 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Rodman (0.5 NM NW), Ancon (1.5 NM NE), VERACRUZ (4.8 NM SW), Panamá, Ciudad de (5.3 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Balboa Wharf Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Balboa Wharf 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 Balboa Wharf Lighthouse?+
Balboa Wharf Lighthouse is located within the Panama Canal approach — the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Central America. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Balboa Wharf Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Balboa Wharf 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.