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Isla Foca Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 15s🇵🇪Paita, PEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Isla Foca Lighthouse

This conical metal lighthouse stands 4.5 meters tall, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Its focal height reaches 57 meters, casting a white light with two flashes every 15 seconds. Located on a pair of small islands separated by a narrow channel, it sits about 40 kilometers southwest of Paita, Peru, and just five degrees south of the equator. The geographic range of its light is 19.7 nautical miles. The nearest port is Paita, approximately 1.1 kilometers away.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is important for guiding maritime traffic off the coast southwest of Paita, an area notable as the world's northernmost nesting ground for penguins.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
57m
Light Range
15NM (27.8 km)
Geographic Range
19.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1931

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Paita(1.1 km)
Admiralty No.
G2132
NGA No.
0604
ARLHS No.
PER-046
Wikidata
Q115204830 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4.5m
Tower Shape
conical
Tower Color
with black and white horizontal bands
Material
metal

Structure: conical tower with gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands

Location

City
Paita
Country
🇵🇪Peru
Region
Piura
Sea Region
just off the coast about 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Paita. The island (actually two islands separated by a narrow channel) is barely 5 degrees south of the equator.
Latitude
-5.0739°
Longitude
-81.1268°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Isla Foca Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 57 meters and a nominal range of 15 nautical miles (approximately 27.8 km), Isla Foca is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Isla Foca Lighthouse at night?+
Isla Foca displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 15s — 2 white flashes every 15 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. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Isla Foca Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Isla Foca Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Paita at 0.9 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Talara (31.9 NM NNW), Lobitos (38.6 NM NNW), Punta Lobitos (38.8 NM NNW), Bayovar (43.6 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Isla Foca Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Isla Foca 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 Foca Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Isla Foca 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.