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Gun Cay Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇧🇸Bahamas, BSOperational

Location & Light Range

About Gun Cay Lighthouse

Built in 1836, Gun Cay Lighthouse is a conical masonry structure standing 15 meters tall. Its exterior features white and red coloration, with the lower section painted white. The lantern room sits at a focal height of 24 meters. This lighthouse emits a single white flash every 10 seconds. Its operational status ensures continued guidance for mariners.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the western approach to the Great Bahama Bank and guides vessels through the Northwest Channel.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 10s
Focal Height
24m
Geographic Range
15NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1836

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
J4610
NGA No.
11916
Wikidata
Q28376340 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
conical
Tower Color
white and red
Material
masonry

Structure: Red conical masonry tower, lower part white. W. 198°-176°, Obscured 176°-198° when 8M

Location

City
Bahamas
Country
🇧🇸BS
Latitude
25.5736°
Longitude
-79.2967°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Gun Cay Lighthouse at night?+
Gun Cay displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white flash every 10 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.
Which ports and harbors does Gun Cay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Gun Cay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Cat Cays at 1.4 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Fisher Island, Miami (46.7 NM WNW), Miami Beach (47.3 NM WNW), Bal Harbour (48.1 NM WNW), North Bay Village (48.7 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Gun Cay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Gun Cay 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 Gun Cay Lighthouse?+
Gun Cay 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 Gun Cay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Gun Cay 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.