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Hanstholm Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 20s🇩🇰Thisted Municipality, DKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hanstholm Lighthouse

Constructed of stone and first lit in 1843, this lighthouse features a white, octagonal cylindrical tower standing 23 meters tall. Its focal height reaches 65 meters, providing a geographic range of 20.8 nautical miles. The structure includes a lantern and gallery, connected to a keeper's house via a covered passageway. The lighthouse underwent significant rebuilding in 1889, during which its tower was raised and a first-order lantern was installed. The light emits a white flash every 20 seconds. Sold to the local municipality in 1979, the station was restored and reopened to the public in 2015. It is accessible to visitors, with the nearest port located 0.8 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse precisely marks the southern entrance to the Skagerrak, a strait between Denmark and Norway leading to the Baltic Sea.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
65m
Light Range
26NM (48.2 km)
Geographic Range
20.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1843

Significant events: substantially rebuilt in 1889; tower raised in height in 1889; present first-order lantern installed in 1889; light station sold to Hanstholm Kommune in 1979; buildings under restoration in 2014; station reopened in 2015; had to be built twice due to mixup in specifications

Visiting

Open to public
Yes

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
23m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached by a covered passageway to a 2-1/2 story masonry keeper's house

Location

City
Thisted Municipality
Country
🇩🇰Denmark
Region
North Denmark Region
Sea Region
marks the southern entrance to the Skagerrak, the broad strait separating Denmark and Norway and leading to the Baltic Sea; located on the Tårnvej in Hanstholm, about 400 m southeast of the waterfront
Latitude
57.1128°
Longitude
8.5985°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hanstholm(0.8 km)
ARLHS No.
DEN-013
Wikidata
Q723232 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Hanstholm Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 65 meters and a nominal range of 26 nautical miles (approximately 48.2 km), Hanstholm 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 Hanstholm Lighthouse at night?+
Hanstholm displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 20s — 3 white flashes every 20 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 Hanstholm Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hanstholm Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hanstholm at 0.6 NM to the N. Other ports served include Thisted (10 NM SSE), Feggesund (13.6 NM SE), Sundby/Mors (13.9 NM S), Nykøbing Mors (21.1 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hanstholm Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hanstholm 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 Hanstholm Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hanstholm 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.