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Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

Fl (2) WR 12s🇺🇸Virginia, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

The Old Point Comfort Light, constructed in 1803, stands 17.5 meters tall with a focal height of 14 meters. Its lantern room emits alternating white and red lights. Originally built to aid navigation within the Chesapeake Bay, the lighthouse is situated on the grounds of Fort Monroe. It has been out of operation since its decommissioning.

Why it matters: This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the second oldest light in the Chesapeake Bay.

Background
Old Point Comfort Light is a lighthouse located on the grounds of Fort Monroe in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. It is the second oldest light in the bay and the oldest still in use. The lighthouse is owned and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) WR 12s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
12s
Focal Height
14m

Construction & History

Year Built
1803
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7084747 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
17.5m

Location

City
Virginia
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
37.0018°
Longitude
-76.3065°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Old Point Comfort Lighthouse at night?+
Old Point Comfort displays the characteristic Fl (2) WR 12s — 2 wr flashes every 12 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 wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Old Point Comfort Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HAMPTON at 2 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Hampton Roads (2.5 NM SSW), Hampton Roads Pt (3 NM SW), LANGLEY (5 NM NNW), Newport News (6.3 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Old Point Comfort Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near Old Point Comfort Lighthouse?+
Old Point Comfort 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 Old Point Comfort Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Old Point Comfort 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.