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North Head Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 30s🇺🇸Washington, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About North Head Lighthouse

Constructed in 1897, the North Head Lighthouse stands 19 meters tall with a focal height of 59 meters. Its white tower overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a rocky promontory near Ilwaco, Washington. The lighthouse emits a white flashing light, providing a geographic range of 19 nautical miles. It has been operational since its construction in 1897, serving as a navigational aid.

Why it matters: The lighthouse has a heritage status and is located near the mouth of the Columbia River, within Cape Disappointment State Park.

Background
North Head Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation overlooking the Pacific Ocean from North Head, a rocky promontory located approximately two miles north of Cape Disappointment and the mouth of the Columbia River, near Ilwaco, Pacific County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is part of Cape Disappointment State Park.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 30s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
30s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
59m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1897
Heritage Status
2

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7055575 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Washington
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
46.2988°
Longitude
-124.0780°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify North Head Lighthouse at night?+
North Head displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 30s — 2 white flashes every 30 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 North Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
North Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ilwaco at 1.6 NM to the E. Other ports served include Chinook (6.3 NM ESE), WARRENTON (10.5 NM SE), Astoria (13.2 NM ESE), South Bend (25.2 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is North Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, North Head 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 North Head Lighthouse?+
North Head 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 North Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near North Head 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.