Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇨🇱CLOperational

Location & Light Range

About Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse

Also known as: Islas Diego Ramírez (Isla Gonzalo )

A cylindrical fiberglass tower, 5 meters high and painted white with a single red horizontal band, stands as the lighthouse for Islas Diego Ramírez. Situated on Isla Gonzalo, the highest point in the archipelago, it marks the southernmost navigational aid in South America. The light, visible for 25.7 nautical miles, emits a white flash every 15 seconds. This location is approximately 105 kilometers southwest of Cape Horn, within the Drake Passage. Chile established a weather station here in 1957. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for global shipping, guiding vessels through the perilous Drake Passage and marking the southernmost extent of South America.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
108m
Light Range
22NM (40.7 km)
Geographic Range
25.7NM

Construction & History

Significant events: Chile established a weather station in 1957

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with one red horizontal band
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round cylindrical fiberglass tower colored white with one red horizontal band

Location

Country
🇨🇱Chile
Sea Region
Drake Passage, marking the southernmost navigational aid of South America, located on the highest point of Isla Gonzalo in the Diego Ramírez Islands, southwest of Cape Horn.
Latitude
-56.4860°
Longitude
-68.7237°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cabo de Hornos(58.8 km)
Admiralty No.
G1338
NGA No.
2718
ARLHS No.
CHI-020
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Chile, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 108 meters and a nominal range of 22 nautical miles (approximately 40.7 km), Islas Diego Ramírez 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 Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse at night?+
Islas Diego Ramírez 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 Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Islas Diego Ramírez 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 Islas Diego Ramírez Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Islas Diego Ramírez 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.