Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Bjørnøy Lighthouse

Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s🇳🇴Tromsø, NOOperational

Location & Light Range

About Bjørnøy Lighthouse

Bjørnøy Lighthouse stands on the northeastern tip of Bjørnøy, an island situated about 8 kilometers off the west coast of Kvaløya. This masonry lighthouse has a square tower measuring 6.5 meters in height, with the light situated 9 meters above sea level. Its structure is enclosed by siding and features a white tower topped with a red lantern roof. The light emits two white, red, or green flashes every 8 seconds, with a geographic range of 10 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides vessels around the northeastern tip of Bjørnøy, an island off Kvaløya, and its distinctive light changes color to warn mariners of their approach.

Background
Bjørnøy Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse in Bodø Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located on the small island of Bjørnøya, just east of the larger Landegode island. The lighthouse is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north of the town of Bodø and about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) southeast of Landegode Lighthouse.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Oc(2) WRG 8s
Focal Height
9m
Light Range
12.9NM (23.9 km)
Geographic Range
10NM

Location

City
Tromsø
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Troms
Sea Region
northeastern tip of Bjørnøy, an island about 8 km off the west coast of Kvaløya
Latitude
69.7695°
Longitude
18.1571°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Tromvik(5.5 km)
Admiralty No.
L3572
NGA No.
13256
ARLHS No.
NOR426
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4919983 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with a red lantern roof
Material
masonry

Structure: square tower with lantern and gallery, enclosed by siding

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Bjørnøy Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Norway, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Bjørnøy Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 9 meters and a nominal range of 12.9 nautical miles (approximately 23.9 km), Bjørnøy is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Bjørnøy Lighthouse at night?+
Bjørnøy displays the characteristic Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s — 2 white/red/green flashes every 8 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. The white/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Bjørnøy Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Bjørnøy Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Tromvik at 5.1 NM to the E. Other ports served include SOMMAROY (8.7 NM SSW), Vengsøy (9.6 NM ENE), Brensholmen (10.5 NM SSW), Bellvika (12.7 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Bjørnøy Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Bjørnøy 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 Bjørnøy Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Bjørnøy 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.