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Hood Point Lighthouse

Fl (4) W 40s🇿🇦Eastern South Africa, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hood Point Lighthouse

Hood Point Lighthouse is a white, round masonry tower standing 19 meters tall, topped with a red cupola. Its focal plane is 55 meters above sea level. The light emits a white flash. The structure has a geographic range of 28 nautical miles. It is located in Eastern South Africa.

Why it matters: This lighthouse began operating on June 4, 1895.

Background
The Hood Point Lighthouse (Afrikaans: Hood Point-vuurtoring) is a lighthouse in East London, South Africa. It began operating on 4 June 1895. It is 19 m high and centres on a white, round stone tower. The lantern dome is painted red. Before the building of the lighthouse, the Castle Point Lighthouse served the area. It lies beside the Potters Pass Nature Reserve and the West Bank Golf Course.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) W 40s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
40s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
55m
Geographic Range
28NM

Location

City
Eastern South Africa
Country
🇿🇦ZA
Latitude
-33.0408°
Longitude
27.8987°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white
Material
masonry

Structure: White round masonry tower, red cupola; 60

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
D6420
NGA No.
D 6420
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q13034949 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Hood Point Lighthouse at night?+
Hood Point displays the characteristic Fl (4) W 40s — 4 white flashes every 40 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 Hood Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hood Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is East London at 1 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Madantsane (8.6 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hood Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hood Point 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 Hood Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hood Point 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.