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

Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse

Oc White 6s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse

A 13.5 meter tall skeletal steel tower stands near the southwest end of Hatteras Island. It is built over a concrete equipment shelter and has a focal height of 14.5 meters. The lighthouse emits an occulting white light, with the light obscured for a brief period every 6 seconds. This structure provides a geographic range of 11.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed. Hatteras Inlet Light is located about 1.8 km east of the inlet and 1.6 km from the nearest port, Hatteras.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels navigating the shifting Hatteras Inlet, a passage that requires precise navigation. Its location within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore also makes it a landmark for visitors.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc W 6s
Focal Height
14.5m
Geographic Range
11.7NM

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
North Carolina
Sea Region
Located near the southwest end of Hatteras Island, about 1.8 km east of Hatteras Inlet and 5 km west of Hatteras village.
Latitude
35.1977°
Longitude
-75.7324°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hatteras(1.6 km)
Admiralty No.
J2401
USCG No.
2-0645

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13.5m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Material
steel

Structure: A 13.5m square skeletal tower built on or over a concrete equipment shelter.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near United States, 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 Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse at night?+
Hatteras Inlet displays the characteristic Oc White 6s. 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 Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HATTERAS at 1.6 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include SWAN QUARTER (31.3 NM WNW), MORRIS (34.2 NM WSW), GERMANTOWN (38.1 NM WNW), Smyrna (47 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hatteras Inlet 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 Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse?+
Hatteras Inlet 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 Hatteras Inlet Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hatteras Inlet 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.