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Discovery Bay Lighthouse

F White🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Discovery Bay Lighthouse

The Discovery Bay Lighthouse, built in 2013, is a 10.97-meter octagonal metal tower. Its exterior is painted white, with a black lantern and gallery. The structure stands at a focal height of 12.19 meters and emits a continuous white light. It is situated at the entrance to the community's dredged waterways from Indian Slough, marking the transition into Discovery Bay. The geographic range of its light is 11.1 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a privately maintained, unofficial aid to navigation, emphasizing community identity and enhancing the aesthetic of the Discovery Bay residential area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F White
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Raw Code
F W
Focal Height
12.19m
Geographic Range
11.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2013

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10.97m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white, lantern and gallery black
Material
metal

Structure: A 10.97m octagonal metal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a black lantern and gallery.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
California
Sea Region
entrance to the community's waterways from Indian Slough; Discovery Bay is a community of homes along a network of dredged waterways
Latitude
37.9179°
Longitude
-121.5866°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Oakley(8.9 km)
ARLHS No.
USA-777
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Discovery Bay Lighthouse at night?+
Discovery Bay displays the characteristic F 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 Discovery Bay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Discovery Bay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is DISCOVERY BAY at 0.9 NM to the S. Other ports served include HOLLAND RIVERSIDE (3.2 NM N), BETHEL ISLAND (6.2 NM NNW), Harris (6.5 NM NNW), BYRON (6.6 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Discovery Bay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Discovery Bay 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 Discovery Bay Lighthouse?+
Discovery Bay 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 Discovery Bay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Discovery Bay 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.