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Cape St. Francis Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇿🇦Kouga Local Municipality, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape St. Francis Lighthouse

Also known as: Cape St. Francis (Seal Point)

This 28-meter round brick tower, built in 1878, stands at the end of the R330 highway, 30 kilometers south of Humansdorp in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The structure rises from a one-story keeper's house and includes a lantern and gallery. It emits a single white flash every 5 seconds, with a geographic range of 16.4 nautical miles. The lighthouse retains its original 2nd order Fresnel lens, which is still in use. The operational lighthouse is a staffed station, which is uncommon in contemporary times.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is South Africa's tallest masonry lighthouse and continues to operate with a resident keeper, utilizing its original Fresnel lens.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
36m
Geographic Range
16.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1878

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Port Elizabeth(42.9 km)
Admiralty No.
D6386
NGA No.
32148
ARLHS No.
SAF-039
Wikidata
Q106767955 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
28m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white
Material
brick

Structure: brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house; original 2nd order Fresnel lens in use

Location

City
Kouga Local Municipality
Country
🇿🇦South Africa
Region
Eastern Cape
Sea Region
Located at the end of the R330 highway about 30 km south of Humansdorp, South Africa
Latitude
-34.2125°
Longitude
24.8362°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape St. Francis Lighthouse at night?+
Cape St. Francis displays the characteristic Fl White 5s. 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 St. Francis Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape St. Francis Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 4 nearby ports. The closest is ST FRANCIS BAY at 1.9 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Gqeberha (42.7 NM ENE), PORT NGQURA (49.1 NM ENE), Coega (49.1 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape St. Francis Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape St. Francis 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 St. Francis Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape St. Francis 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.