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Castle Hill Lighthouse

Iso R 6s🇺🇸Rhode Island, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Castle Hill Lighthouse

Built in 1890, Castle Hill Lighthouse stands 10 meters tall with a focal height of 12 meters. Its red tower marks the entrance to Narragansett Bay's East Passage. The light emits an isophase white flash. With a geographic range of 9 nautical miles, it has been operational since its construction in 1890. The lighthouse is situated at the end of Ocean Drive in Newport, Rhode Island.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and aids vessels entering the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

Background
Castle Hill Lighthouse is located on Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island, at the end of the historic Ocean Drive. It is an active navigation aid for vessels entering the East Passage, between Conanicut Island and Aquidneck Island. The lighthouse has become a symbol of Newport, and a frequent site for wedding photos, proposals, and tourist photos. Although the property is owned by the nearby Castle Hill Inn, the lighthouse is owned by the United States Coast Guard.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso R 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso
Focal Height
12m
Geographic Range
9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1890
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5050138 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
Rhode Island
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.4622°
Longitude
-71.3630°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Castle Hill Lighthouse at night?+
Castle Hill displays the characteristic Iso R 6s — 1 red flash every 6 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Castle Hill Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Castle Hill Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FORT WETHERILL STATE at 1 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Newport (2 NM NE), Newport (2.6 NM NNE), SAUNDERSTOWN (3.7 NM NW), POINT JUDITH NORTH (6.3 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Castle Hill Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Castle Hill 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.
What shipping routes pass near Castle Hill Lighthouse?+
Castle Hill 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 Castle Hill Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Castle Hill 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.