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Great Sandy Island Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 12s🇦🇺City of Karratha, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Great Sandy Island Lighthouse

A white fiberglass tower, standing 4 meters tall, serves as the Great Sandy Island lighthouse. Its focal height reaches 17 meters above sea level, and it emits a white light with a characteristic of one white flash every 12 seconds. This structure was built in 1986, with the light first becoming operational in 1959. The original light apparatus from the first lighthouse has been relocated to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Museum. The tower is situated on the southwest end of Great Sandy Island, approximately 75 kilometers northeast of Onslow.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the southwest end of Great Sandy Island, defining its narrow profile for vessels navigating the waters northeast of Onslow. The relocation of its original light to a museum highlights its historical significance within Australian coastal navigation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 12s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
12s
Raw Code
Fl W 12s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1986
First Lit
1959

Significant events: original light relocated to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Museum

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Airlie Island(27.5 km)
Admiralty No.
Q1695
NGA No.
9312
ARLHS No.
AUS-237

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4m
Tower Color
white
Material
fiberglass

Structure: white fiberglass tower

Location

City
City of Karratha
Country
🇦🇺Australia
Region
Western Australia
Sea Region
southwest end of Great Sandy Island, about 75 km northeast of Onslow
Latitude
-21.1981°
Longitude
115.6373°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Great Sandy Island Lighthouse at night?+
Great Sandy Island displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 12s — 3 white flashes every 12 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Great Sandy Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Great Sandy Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Airlie Terminal at 27.6 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Barrow Island (27.6 NM NNW), Varanus Island (33 NM N), Cape Preston (38.2 NM NE), Onslow (39.4 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Great Sandy Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Great Sandy Island 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 Great Sandy Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Great Sandy Island 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.