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Gay Head Lighthouse

Fl WR 7s🇺🇸Southeastern Massachusetts, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Gay Head Lighthouse

The Gay Head Lighthouse, established in 1799, stands at the westernmost point of Martha's Vineyard. Its current tower, constructed in 1856, stands 15.5 meters tall. The lighthouse features a distinctive white and red exterior. Its light exhibits an alternating white flash. The focal height reaches 52 meters, providing a geographic range of 20 nautical miles. Although no longer operational, its preserved structure remains a significant landmark.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is situated on Martha's Vineyard's westernmost point.

Background
Gay Head Light is a historic lighthouse located on Martha's Vineyard westernmost point off of Lighthouse Road in Aquinnah, Massachusetts.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 7s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
7s
Raw Code
Al.Fl
Focal Height
52m
Light Range
24NM (44.4 km)
Geographic Range
20NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1799
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5528593 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15.5m
Tower Color
white;red

Location

City
Southeastern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.3484°
Longitude
-70.8349°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Gay Head Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 52 meters and a nominal range of 24 nautical miles (approximately 44.4 km), Gay Head is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Gay Head Lighthouse at night?+
Gay Head displays the characteristic Fl WR 7s — 1 wr flash every 7 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 wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Gay Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Gay Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Menemsha at 3.1 NM to the E. Other ports served include VINEYARD HAVEN (12.4 NM ENE), WOODS HOLE (12.9 NM NE), Oak Bluffs (14.1 NM ENE), Edgartown (14.9 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Gay Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Gay Head Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near Gay Head Lighthouse?+
Gay Head 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 Gay Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Gay Head 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.