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Cape Charles Lighthouse

Fl W 5s🇺🇸Virginia, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Cape Charles Lighthouse

The Cape Charles Lighthouse stands as an octagonal cast iron skeleton tower structure. It was built in 1828 and first lit in the same year. This lighthouse reaches a height of 55 meters, with its focal plane also at 55 meters. Its operational status concluded in 2019. The light emitted was white.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the tallest in Virginia and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Cape Charles Lighthouse is an octagonal cast iron skeleton tower lighthouse at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Smith Island which was officially removed from service in 2019. It is the tallest lighthouse in Virginia and the second tallest in the United States.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
55m

Construction & History

Year Built
1828
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5034646 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
55m

Location

City
Virginia
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
37.1229°
Longitude
-75.9065°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Charles Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Charles 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 Cape Charles Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Charles Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Cape Charles at 9.9 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include KINGS CREEK (10.7 NM NNW), Cape Henry (13.5 NM SSW), Lynnhaven Roads (15.6 NM SSW), VIRGINIA BEACH (17.8 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Charles Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Cape Charles 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.
What shipping routes pass near Cape Charles Lighthouse?+
Cape Charles 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 Cape Charles Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Charles 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.