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

Cape Columbine Lighthouse

Fl W 15s🇿🇦Western South Africa, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Columbine Lighthouse

This lighthouse, operational since 1936, stands on Castle Rock at Cape Columbine. The square concrete tower measures 15 meters in height. Its light is situated 80 meters above sea level, providing a geographic range of 30 nautical miles. The structure is painted white and emits a white flashing light. The lighthouse was opened by the builder's wife at sunset on October 1, 1936.

Why it matters: The cape was named after the ship Columbine, which sank there in 1829.

Background
The Cape Columbine Lighthouse is a South African lighthouse on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Columbine, about 3 km from Paternoster on the West Coast. The 15-metre-high (49 ft) tower is made of wood. It was built in 1936 on a piece of higher ground called Castle Rock, which places the light 80 metres (260 ft) above sea level. The tower was designed and built by H. C. Cooper. It was opened by his wife at sunset on October 1, 1936. Cape Columbine was named after the ship Columbine that sank there in 1829.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
80m
Geographic Range
30NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1936

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
D5810
NGA No.
D 5810
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q13035114 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: White square concrete tower; 50. Sounded on request to Port Control Saldanha or Port

Location

City
Western South Africa
Country
🇿🇦ZA
Latitude
-32.8277°
Longitude
17.8557°

Nearby Vessels

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

Find Cape Columbine Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near ZA, 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 do mariners identify Cape Columbine Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Columbine displays the characteristic Fl W 15s — 1 white flash every 15 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 Columbine Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Columbine Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saldanha Bay at 13.1 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include LAAIPLEK (15.1 NM ENE), LANGEBAAN (18.8 NM SSE), Bottelary (22.1 NM SE), Elands Bay (39.3 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Columbine Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Columbine 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 Cape Columbine Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Columbine 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.