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Cape Egmont Lighthouse

Fl W 8s🇳🇿North Island (Taranaki Region), NZOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Egmont Lighthouse

Constructed in 1881, this lighthouse stands 20 meters tall with its focal height reaching 33 meters above sea level. The light emits a white flash every 8 seconds, visible for a geographic range of 19 nautical miles. Originally manufactured in London in 1864 by Simpson & Co., the apparatus was first erected on Mana Island in 1865. It was later moved to its current location at Cape Egmont in 1877, following confusion with another lighthouse. The facility transitioned to full automation in 1986.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed as a Heritage New Zealand Category 2 historic place.

Background
Cape Egmont Lighthouse is a lighthouse at Cape Egmont in the Taranaki Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand. The light was manufactured by Simpson & Co., Pimlico, London, in 1864 and erected on Mana Island to the north west of Porirua in 1865, but it was sometimes confused with the Pencarrow Head light at the entrance to Wellington Harbour and in 1877 the light was dismantled and moved to Cape Egmont. The light was demanned and fully automated in 1986.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 8s
Focal Height
33m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1881
Heritage Status
Heritage New Zealand Category 2 historic place listing

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K4088
NGA No.
4788
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q1034389 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m

Location

City
North Island (Taranaki Region)
Country
🇳🇿NZ
Latitude
-39.2762°
Longitude
173.7549°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Egmont Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Egmont displays the characteristic Fl W 8s — 1 white flash 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.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Egmont Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Egmont Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 3 nearby ports. The closest is New Plymouth at 18.8 NM to the NE. Other ports served include WAITARA (28 NM NE), Maari (46.8 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Egmont Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Egmont 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 Egmont Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Egmont 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.