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

French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White/Red 4s🇳🇿NZOperational

Location & Light Range

About French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse

A short, white, cylindrical metal mast stands atop a 4-meter tower at the southern entrance to French Pass (Te Aumiti). This channel separates D'Urville Island from the mainland. The lighthouse emits a white or red light, with a characteristic of a single flash every 4 seconds. It is positioned on a steep promontory overlooking the passage. The geographic range of its light is 16.1 nautical miles.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides inter-island shipping through the French Pass, a channel with strong tidal currents.

Background
The French Pass Lighthouse together with a stone beacon mark a channel through the turbulent waters between Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D’Urville Island and the South Island. The New Zealand List of Lights calls the lighthouse Channel Point.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White/Red 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W R 4s
Focal Height
34.1376m
Geographic Range
16.1NM

Location

Country
🇳🇿New Zealand
Region
Marlborough
Sea Region
French Pass (Te Aumiti), a channel between D'Urville Island and the mainland, used by inter-island shipping between Nelson and Wellington. Located on a steep promontory at the southern entrance to the French Pass channel.
Latitude
-40.9236°
Longitude
173.8333°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
metal

Structure: short mast atop a round white metal tower

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Havelock(21.3 km)
Admiralty No.
K4234
NGA No.
5024
ARLHS No.
NZL-083
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q109265721 →
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near New Zealand, 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 French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
French Pass Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl White/Red 4s. 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/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HAVELOCK at 21.3 NM to the S. Other ports served include WAIKAWA (22.6 NM SSE), Picton (22.8 NM SSE), Nelson (32.4 NM SW), Port Nelson (32.9 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, French Pass Lighthouses 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 French Pass Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near French Pass Lighthouses 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.