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Durnford Point Lighthouse

Fl White 40s🇿🇦uMhlathuze Local Municipality, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Durnford Point Lighthouse

Durnford Point Lighthouse, established in 1916, stands as a white cylindrical concrete tower standing 12 meters tall. It features a red lantern and gallery, atop a 1-story concrete equipment building. This structure replaced an earlier skeletal tower. The focal height of its light is 49 meters, casting a white beam with three flashes followed by one flash every 40 seconds. The light has a geographic range of 18.5 nautical miles. Access to the site is permitted, but the tower itself is closed to the public. It is protected by armed security guards due to vandalism concerns.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for coastal shipping lanes approaching and departing Richards Bay, guiding vessels safely past the headland.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 40s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
40s
Raw Code
Fl(3+1) W 40s
Focal Height
49m
Geographic Range
18.5NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1916

Significant events: Replaced original skeletal tower, red lantern added recently, staffed by armed security guards to prevent vandalism

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
White with a red lantern
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical white concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building

Location

City
uMhlathuze Local Municipality
Country
🇿🇦South Africa
Region
KwaZulu-Natal
Sea Region
Located on the coast about 25 km southwest of Richards Bay
Latitude
-28.9160°
Longitude
31.9218°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Richards Bay(11.4 km)
Admiralty No.
D6482
NGA No.
31964
ARLHS No.
SAF-045
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Durnford Point Lighthouse at night?+
Durnford Point displays the characteristic Fl White 40s. 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 Durnford Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Durnford Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is Richards Bay at 9.8 NM to the NE. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Durnford Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Durnford 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.
How can I track vessels near Durnford Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Durnford 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.