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

Cattle Point Lighthouse

Fl W 4s🇺🇸Washington, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cattle Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1888 and first lit in the same year. The tower stands 10 meters tall, with the focal height reaching 28.5 meters. It emits a white light. The structure is situated on the southeastern tip of San Juan Island. It overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where the Haro Straits intersect with the San Juan Channel.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is part of the San Juan Islands National Monument and is adjacent to the Cattle Point Natural Resources Conservation Area.

Background
Cattle Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the southeastern tip of San Juan Island overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca where the Haro Straits meet the San Juan Channel, in San Juan County, Washington. The light lies adjacent to the state's Cattle Point Natural Resources Conservation Area and, since 2013, is part of the San Juan Islands National Monument.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Focal Height
28.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1888

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q2291667 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m

Location

City
Washington
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
48.4507°
Longitude
-122.9634°

Nearby Vessels

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

Find Cattle Point 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 Cattle Point Lighthouse at night?+
Cattle Point displays the characteristic Fl W 4s — 1 white flash every 4 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 Cattle Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cattle Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FRIDAY HARBOR at 5.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include JAMES ISLAND (8.3 NM ENE), ORCAS (8.9 NM N), BLAKELY ISLAND (10 NM NE), ORCAS ISLAND (10.7 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cattle Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cattle Point 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 Cattle Point Lighthouse?+
Cattle Point 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 Cattle Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cattle Point 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.