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Batag Island Lighthouse

Fl W 5s🇵🇭Eastern Philippines, PHInactive

Constructed in 1907, this lighthouse stands 30.8 meters tall on Batag Island, marking the northeastern point of Samar Island. It emitted a white flash every 5 seconds, with a geographic range of 20 nautical miles. The lighthouse was one of three major lights designed and built by Americans during the early American Colonial Period in the Philippines, serving as an exact duplicate of the Cape Bolinao lighthouse in its initial configuration. Although no longer operational, its structure remains.

Why it matters: Designated a National Historical Landmark, it guided international shipping into the San Bernardino Strait, a significant passage for vessels entering the Philippines from the Pacific Ocean.

Background
Batag Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse on Batag Island off the coast of the town of Laoang in the province of Northern Samar in the Philippines. The light marks the northeastern point of Samar Island and led international ships to the entrance of the San Bernardino Strait marked by the San Bernardino Light. One of the most traveled waterways in the archipelago, together with the Capul Island Light, these stations are invaluable to vessels coming from the Pacific Ocean and entering the country through the San Bernardino Strait on its way to Manila or any other ports of the Philippines. After Maniguin Island and Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, this is the third major lighthouse wholly designed and built by the Americans in the early part of American Colonial Period in the Philippines. It was the exact duplicate of the Cape Bolinao lighthouse when it was completed, both standing at 101 ft (30.8m) and both equipped with third-order lights. The Batag lighthouse together with the Capul Island Lighthouse were declared provincial historical landmarks by the province of Northern Samar in October 2008. Lighthouses in the Philippines are maintained by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Characteristic Signature
Fl W 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 5s
Geographic Range
20NM
Year Built
1907
Heritage Status
National Historical Landmark
Admiralty No.
F2448
NGA No.
15004
Wikidata
Q4868523
Tower Height
30.8m
City
Eastern Philippines
Country
🇵🇭PH
Latitude
12.6581°
Longitude
125.0608°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Batag Island Lighthouse at night?+
Batag Island 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 Batag Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Batag Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 3 nearby ports. The closest is Oras at 37.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Calbayog, Samar (45.3 NM SW), San Isidro/Sanjose (46 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Batag Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Batag Island Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
How can I track vessels near Batag Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Batag Island 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.