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

Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇺🇸San Juan Island/Salish Sea, WA, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse

Built in 1914, this lighthouse stands 12 meters tall on an octagonal fiberglass tower. Its red exterior and distinctive shape make it a recognizable structure. The light emits a single white flash every 10 seconds from a focal height of 62 meters, providing a geographic range of 17 nautical miles. The lighthouse's construction material is red glass-reinforced plastic, and it sits on piles. It is an active aid to navigation, guiding vessels from its position on the western side of San Juan Island.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this light helps direct maritime traffic through the Haro Straits.

Background
The Lime Kiln Light is a functioning navigational aid located on Lime Kiln Point overlooking Dead Man's Bay on the western side of San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington, in the United States. It guides ships through the Haro Straits and is part of Lime Kiln Point State Park, which offers tours during summer months.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 10s
Focal Height
62m
Light Range
15NM (27.8 km)
Geographic Range
17NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1914
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
G5335
NGA No.
13636
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6549119 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
red
Material
fiberglass

Structure: STARBOARD (IALA B) Red glass reinforced plastic(grp) fiberglass tower, topmark, on pile

Location

City
San Juan Island/Salish Sea, WA
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
48.5159°
Longitude
-123.1525°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near US, 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 Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 62 meters and a nominal range of 15 nautical miles (approximately 27.8 km), Lime Kiln Light 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 Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse at night?+
Lime Kiln Light displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white flash every 10 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.
Which ports and harbors does Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FRIDAY HARBOR at 5.7 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include ROCHE HARBOR (5.7 NM N), ORCAS (9.7 NM ENE), ORCAS ISLAND (10.3 NM NE), Victoria (10.7 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Lime Kiln Light 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 Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse?+
Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Lime Kiln Light Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Lime Kiln Light 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.