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Hope Shoal Lighthouse

Iso White, Red, Green 4s🇳🇿Lower Hutt, NZOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hope Shoal Lighthouse

Also known as: Hope Shoal (Wellington Entrance Range Rear)

Hope Shoal Lighthouse is a 17-meter tall steel structure built in 1915. It stands in Somes Sound, New Zealand, approximately 2.1 kilometers north of the front light and 700 meters southwest of Makaro Island. The lighthouse features a cylindrical steel caisson topped by a round, barbell-shaped steel tower. Its light displays a cycle of white, red, and green, with a 4-second period for each color change. The tower is painted with horizontal bands of orange and yellow, serving as a visual marker. The site is accessible by boat, but the tower itself is not open to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for safe navigation through Somes Sound, warning vessels about the Hope Shoal. Its color-changing light system helps mariners determine their precise position relative to the shoal and nearby Makaro Island.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso White, Red, Green 4s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
White, Red, Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Iso WRG 4s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1915

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
17m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with a daymark in the form of orange and yellow horizontal bands
Material
steel

Structure: round steel caisson topped by a round barbell-shaped steel tower

Location

City
Lower Hutt
Country
🇳🇿New Zealand
Region
Wellington
Sea Region
Somes Sound, about 2.1 km north of the front light and 700 m southwest of Makaro (Ward) Island, New Zealand
Latitude
-41.2964°
Longitude
174.8641°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Wellington(2.9 km)
Admiralty No.
K4010.1
NGA No.
4596
ARLHS No.
NZL-047
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Hope Shoal Lighthouse at night?+
Hope Shoal displays the characteristic Iso White, Red, Green 4s. 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 Hope Shoal Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hope Shoal Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Wellington at 1.8 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Shelly Bay (2.3 NM WNW), Burnham Wharf (2.9 NM W), Lower hutt (3.7 NM NNE), PORIRUA (11.8 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hope Shoal Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hope Shoal 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 Hope Shoal Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hope Shoal 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.