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Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse

Fl (4) W 10s🇺🇸Oak Island/Atlantic Ocean, NC, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse

Completed in 1957, the Oak Island Lighthouse stands 47 meters tall with its light situated 52 meters above sea level. Its white tower emits four one-second bursts of light every 10 seconds, with a luminous range of 20.5 nautical miles. The lighthouse is positioned on the east end of Oak Island, Brunswick County, facing the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It is managed by a citizens group and has been open as an attraction.

Why it matters: The Oak Island Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
The Oak Island Lighthouse is located in the Town of Caswell Beach near the mouth of the Cape Fear River in Southeastern North Carolina. It sits next to the Oak Island Coast Guard Station on the east end of Oak Island in Brunswick County looking south out at the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring 16 LED lights which produce four, one-second bursts of light every 10 seconds, it has a luminous range of 20.5 nautical miles. Owned by the town since 2004, it is managed by a citizens group (Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse).

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
52m
Light Range
20NM (37.0 km)
Geographic Range
22NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1957
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

Visiting

Open to public
attraction

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
47m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Oak Island/Atlantic Ocean, NC
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
33.8927°
Longitude
-78.0350°

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4286387 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 52 meters and a nominal range of 20 nautical miles (approximately 37.0 km), Oak Island Lighthouse is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse at night?+
Oak Island Lighthouse displays the characteristic Fl (4) W 10s — 4 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 Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Southport at 2 NM to the NE. Other ports served include SOUTHPORT (2.2 NM NNE), Sunny Point (8 NM NNE), BLUE WATER POINT (9 NM W), HUGHES (16.9 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Oak Island Lighthouse 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 Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Oak Island Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Oak Island Lighthouse 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.