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Koirakari Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇫🇮Helsinki, FIOperational

Location & Light Range

About Koirakari Lighthouse

Also known as: Koirakari (Hundskär)

This concrete lighthouse, standing 7 meters tall, was first lit in 1959. It is a cylindrical tower painted white with a narrow black horizontal band, topped by a lantern and gallery. Situated on a small island 1.6 kilometers south of Helsinki harbor's entrance, its focal height is 6 meters. The light emits a white flash every 6 seconds, visible for 8.9 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's precise directional light is indispensable for safe navigation into Helsinki harbor, clearly delineating safe channels and warning of shallow areas for a diverse range of vessels.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
6m
Light Range
7.2NM (13.3 km)
Geographic Range
8.9NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1959

Significant events: station established 1959

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a narrow black horizontal band
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Helsinki
Country
🇫🇮Finland
Region
Uusimaa
Sea Region
tip of a small island about 1.6 km south of the entrance to Helsinki harbor
Latitude
60.1238°
Longitude
24.9101°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Helsinki(2.8 km)
Admiralty No.
C5156
NGA No.
14428
ARLHS No.
FIN-043
Wikidata
Q24340151 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Koirakari Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 6 meters and a nominal range of 7.2 nautical miles (approximately 13.3 km), Koirakari is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. As a shorter-range light, it primarily serves nearshore and coastal traffic.
How do mariners identify Koirakari Lighthouse at night?+
Koirakari displays the characteristic Fl White 6s. 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 Koirakari Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Koirakari Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sveaborg (Suomenlinna) at 2.3 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Helsinki (2.9 NM NNE), LAAJASALO (4.5 NM NE), Salo (5.9 NM NE), Espoo (Esbo) (7 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Koirakari Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Koirakari 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.
What shipping routes pass near Koirakari Lighthouse?+
Koirakari Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Koirakari Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Koirakari 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.