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

Cape Flattery Lighthouse

Fl white🇺🇸Washington, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Cape Flattery Lighthouse

Constructed in 1854, this lighthouse stands 19 meters tall, with its light positioned 20 meters above sea level. It was first lit in the same year it was built. The tower is painted white and emits a white light. Its geographic range is 14 nautical miles. The light characteristic is a single white flash. The lighthouse is located on Tatoosh Island.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the northwesternmost light on the West Coast of the contiguous United States and is designated as a National Treasure.

Background
The Cape Flattery Light is a historic lighthouse structure located at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Neah Bay, Clallam County, in the U.S. state of Washington, within the Makah Indian Reservation. The deactivated lighthouse sits on Tatoosh Island, which is named after Chief Tatooche of the Makah Tribe. It is the northwesternmost lighthouse on the West Coast of the contiguous United States. Although closed to the public, it can be viewed from Cape Flattery via a short 30-minute walk.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl white
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
white
Flash Count
1 flash
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
20m
Geographic Range
14NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1854
Heritage Status
National Treasure

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
G4756
NGA No.
G 4756
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q1963379 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Washington
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
48.3916°
Longitude
-124.7366°

Nearby Vessels

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

Find Cape Flattery Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near US, 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 Flattery Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Flattery displays the characteristic Fl white. 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 color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Flattery Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Flattery Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Tatoosh Island at 0.5 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include NEAH BAY (5.2 NM ESE), Clallam Bay (20.2 NM ESE), Sooke (42.7 NM E), Ucluelet (44.9 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Flattery Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Cape Flattery 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 Flattery Lighthouse?+
Cape Flattery Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports 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 Flattery Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Flattery 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.