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Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 10s🇱🇰Sri Lanka, LKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Constructed in 1878, this white granite tower stands 37 meters tall on a reef off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It features black banding and two galleries, with its light positioned 34 meters above sea level. The lighthouse emits two white flashes every 10 seconds, visible for a geographic range of 27 nautical miles. The Sri Lanka Navy maintains this active offshore light, which lies northeast of the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse. Its location is approximately fourteen kilometers from the coast of Yala National Park.

Why it matters: This lighthouse, one of Asia's most recognized offshore lights, sustained only minor damage from the 2004 tsunami.

Background
Little Basses Reef Lighthouse is an active offshore lighthouse at the southern end of Sri Lanka and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Navy. It is located on a reef called Kuda Ravana Kotuwa (Fort of Little Ravana), but when the British invaded Ceylon they named it Little Basses (fourteen kilometers off the coast of Yala National Park and northeast of the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse). The two Basses lighthouses are among the most famous offshore lighthouses of Asia. The lighthouse was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass and built by William Douglass using the same steam ships, crew and workers as the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse was completed in 1878. It withstood the force of a tsunami in 2004 with only modest damage; it was repaired with assistance from the UK lighthouse authorities Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board. The lighthouse is close to Daedalus Rock, site of the sinking of HMS Daedalus (1811).

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Q.(2)W. period 10s
Focal Height
34m
Geographic Range
27NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1878

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
F0842
NGA No.
27268
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6649003 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
37m
Tower Color
white and black

Structure: White granite tower, black banded, two galleries; 125. INDIA-BAY OF BENGAL

Location

City
Sri Lanka
Country
🇱🇰LK
Latitude
6.4000°
Longitude
81.7333°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Little Basses Reef Lighthouse at night?+
Little Basses Reef displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 10s — 2 white flashes 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 Little Basses Reef Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Little Basses Reef Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is Hambantota at 41 NM to the WSW. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Little Basses Reef Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Little Basses Reef 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 Little Basses Reef Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Little Basses Reef 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.