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Hjelm Lighthouse

Oc White/Red/Green 8s🇩🇰Syddjurs Municipality, DKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hjelm Lighthouse

This white, cylindrical brick tower, standing 18 meters tall, was built in 1856 on the uninhabited island of Hjelm. The lighthouse is situated at the island's highest point, reaching a focal height of 61 meters. It features a red lantern dome and is connected by covered passageways to two attached keeper's houses. The light emits an occulting white, red, or green signal every 8 seconds, visible for over 20 nautical miles. Hjelm island itself is located in the southwestern Kattegat, southeast of Ebeltoft.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's occulting directional light warns vessels approaching the island of Hjelm, an uninhabited landmass in the Kattegat.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White/Red/Green 8s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Oc WRG 8s
Focal Height
61m
Light Range
14NM (25.9 km)
Geographic Range
20.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1856

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ebeltoft(6.0 km)
Admiralty No.
C0262
NGA No.
2208
ARLHS No.
DEN-070
Wikidata
Q28375550 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red lantern dome
Material
brick

Structure: round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached by covered passageways to two 1-1/2 story brick keeper's houses

Location

City
Syddjurs Municipality
Country
🇩🇰Denmark
Region
Central Denmark Region
Sea Region
Hjelm is an uninhabited island in the southwestern Kattegat about 5 km southeast of Elsegårde and 10 km southeast of Ebeltoft. The word hjelm means helmet, referring to the shape of the island. Located at the highest point of the island.
Latitude
56.1331°
Longitude
10.8049°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Hjelm Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 61 meters and a nominal range of 14 nautical miles (approximately 25.9 km), Hjelm is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Hjelm Lighthouse at night?+
Hjelm displays the characteristic Oc White/Red/Green 8s. 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/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Hjelm Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hjelm Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ebeltoft at 4.8 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include GLATVED STRAND (10.4 NM NNE), KNEBELBRO JOLLE (11.9 NM WNW), Tunø (16.2 NM SW), Studstrupværkets Havn (16.8 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hjelm Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hjelm 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 Hjelm Lighthouse?+
Hjelm Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Hjelm Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hjelm 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.