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

Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl R 10s🇺🇸Eastern Wisconsin, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse

This red lighthouse stands 16 meters tall, with its light positioned 18.5 meters above the water. It was constructed and first lit in 1926 to guide vessels into the Milwaukee harbor. The structure is one of the last fully enclosed breakwater lighthouses found on the Great Lakes. Its light emits a single white flash, visible for 14 nautical miles. The Milwaukee Breakwater lighthouse is a red, 16-meter structure situated in Eastern Wisconsin.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the harbor entrance for Milwaukee and is listed in the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.

Background
The Milwaukee Breakwater lighthouse was built in 1926 in the harbor of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin to mark the entrance to the harbor. One of the last fully enclosed breakwater lighthouses in the Great Lakes, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl R 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
18.5m
Light Range
14NM (25.9 km)
Geographic Range
14NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1926
Heritage Status
listed in the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6861683 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
Eastern Wisconsin
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
43.0269°
Longitude
-87.8820°

Nearby Vessels

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

Find Milwaukee Breakwater 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 Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 18.5 meters and a nominal range of 14 nautical miles (approximately 25.9 km), Milwaukee Breakwater is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Milwaukee Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl R 10s — 1 red 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Milwaukee at 0.6 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include West Allis (5.2 NM W), Racine (18.2 NM SSE), PORT WASHINGTON (21.6 NM N), Mukwonago (22 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Milwaukee Breakwater 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 Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Milwaukee Breakwater 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.