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Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse

F Red🇸🇪Haparanda kommun, SEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse

The Nikkala Vattentorn, a light gray, mushroom-shaped structure, stands approximately 40 meters tall. Primarily functioning as a water tower, its distinctive form led to its use as a navigational aid. It is situated on the south side of Nikkala, a town roughly 25 kilometers from the Finnish border. The tower's unique architecture made it a recognizable landmark in the area. It last operated as a navigational light in 2012. The site is accessible to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: Its unusual mushroom-shaped architecture, a design rarely associated with navigational aids, made it a recognized landmark for local maritime traffic.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Red
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Red
Raw Code
F R
Light Range
12NM (22.2 km)

Construction & History

Significant events: Inactive since 2012

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
40m
Tower Shape
mushroom-shaped
Tower Color
light gray

Structure: mushroom-shaped water tower ( vattentorn )

Location

City
Haparanda kommun
Country
🇸🇪Sweden
Region
Norrbotten County
Sea Region
south side of Nikkala, a town about 25 km east of the Finnish border
Latitude
65.7913°
Longitude
23.9216°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Salmis(2.4 km)
Admiralty No.
C5702.4
NGA No.
11972
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse at night?+
Nikkala Vattentorn displays the characteristic F Red. 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 Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sandvik at 5.2 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Röyttä (6.5 NM ESE), Tornio (Torneå) (6.5 NM ENE), Karlsborg Axelvik (15.7 NM W), Kemi/Tornio (Kemi/Torneå) (16.1 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Nikkala Vattentorn 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 Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse?+
Nikkala Vattentorn 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 Nikkala Vattentorn Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Nikkala Vattentorn 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.