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Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Fl W 15s🇺🇸North Carolina, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Cape Lookout Lighthouse

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse, erected in 1859, is a 49-meter-tall white structure. Its focal plane reaches 46 meters above sea level. Originally, it emitted a white flashing light. The station's geographic range extended to 14 nautical miles. The lighthouse is no longer operational.

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

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
46m
Geographic Range
14NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1859
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4286379 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
49m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
North Carolina
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
34.6228°
Longitude
-76.5245°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Lookout Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Lookout 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 Lookout Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Lookout Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Smyrna at 7.6 NM to the N. Other ports served include Beaufort (9.1 NM NW), Morehead City (10.9 NM WNW), Atlantic Beach (11.3 NM WNW), MORRIS (19.2 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Lookout Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Cape Lookout 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 Lookout Lighthouse?+
Cape Lookout 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 Lookout Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Lookout 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.