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Masachapa Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇳🇮San Rafael del Sur, NIOperational

Location & Light Range

About Masachapa Lighthouse

This concrete cylindrical tower, standing 11 meters tall, is painted white with dark blue trim and narrow dark blue horizontal bands. The light is mounted on top of a small lantern at the summit. It emits a white flash every 10 seconds, visible for 14.6 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated on the waterfront of Masachapa, a beach resort southwest of Managua. The town and lighthouse site have been rebuilt following a tsunami in 1992. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse offers coastal navigation for the local fishing fleet and recreational vessels visiting the Masachapa beach resort.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
26.5m
Geographic Range
14.6NM

Construction & History

Significant events: Town rebuilt after 1992 tsunami

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with dark blue trim and narrow dark blue horizontal bands
Material
concrete

Structure: round tower with a small lantern; the light is mounted on top of the lantern

Location

City
San Rafael del Sur
Country
🇳🇮Nicaragua
Region
Managua
Sea Region
Waterfront of Masachapa, a former fishing port and now a beach resort in the municipality of San Rafael del Sur, southwest of Managua, Nicaragua.
Latitude
11.7878°
Longitude
-86.5166°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Puerto Sandino(28.8 km)
Admiralty No.
G3351.4
NGA No.
15428
ARLHS No.
NIC-003
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Masachapa Lighthouse at night?+
Masachapa displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. 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 Masachapa Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Masachapa Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Masachapa at 0.3 NM to the S. Other ports served include Puerto Sandino (28.7 NM NNW), Tipitapa (34.8 NM NE), GRANADA (34.9 NM ENE), Las Maderas (48 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Masachapa Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Masachapa 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 Masachapa Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Masachapa 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.