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Isla de Malpelo Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇨🇴Buenaventura, COOperational

This skeletal steel mast, painted orange, stands 4 meters tall. Its light emits a white flash every 15 seconds from a focal height of 258 meters, visible for nearly 38 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located on Isla de Malpelo, an isolated island about 380 kilometers off Colombia's Pacific coast. This island is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its ecological significance. Access to the island is challenging, requiring the use of a crane for supply transfers to a military contingent.

Why it matters: The lighthouse warns ships of the remote Malpelo Island, a significant offshore hazard in a vast, isolated stretch of the Pacific. Its presence on a UNESCO World Heritage Site underscores the ecological importance of the area it helps protect.

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
258m
Geographic Range
37.7NM
Heritage Status
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Admiralty No.
G3142
NGA No.
0186
Tower Height
4m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
orange
Material
steel

Structure: skeletal mast, painted orange

City
Buenaventura
Country
🇨🇴Colombia
Region
Valle del Cauca
Sea Region
isolated island off Colombia's Pacific coast
Latitude
4.0047°
Longitude
-81.6072°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Isla de Malpelo Lighthouse at night?+
Isla de Malpelo displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. 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.
Is Isla de Malpelo Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Isla de Malpelo 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 Isla de Malpelo Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Isla de Malpelo 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.