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Bird Islands Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 20s🇿🇦Eastern South Africa, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Bird Islands Lighthouse

This square masonry tower, measuring 29 meters in height, has its light at the same level. The structure is white with a red band and displays a white cross on its north and south faces. First lit in 1852, the Bird Islands lighthouse ceased full-time keeper operations in July 1968, and is now visited intermittently. Its light can be seen for 27 nautical miles.

Why it matters: Established in 1852, this lighthouse provided navigation assistance for Algoa Bay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
27NM

Location

City
Eastern South Africa
Country
🇿🇦ZA
Latitude
-33.8417°
Longitude
26.2868°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
29m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
masonry

Structure: Red square masonry tower, white banded, white cross on n. and s. sides; 85

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
D6412
NGA No.
32104
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q13036315 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Bird Islands Lighthouse at night?+
Bird Islands displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 20s — 2 white flashes every 20 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 Bird Islands Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Bird Islands Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kenton-on-Sea at 21 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include PORT NGQURA (29.9 NM W), Coega (29.9 NM W), Gqeberha (33.1 NM WSW), PORT ALFRED (33.7 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Bird Islands Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Bird Islands 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.
How can I track vessels near Bird Islands Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Bird Islands 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.