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

Outer Island Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇺🇸Northern Wisconsin, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Outer Island Lighthouse

The Outer Island lighthouse stands 27 meters tall, with its light positioned 40 meters above the water. It emits a white light with a characteristic flash. Designed by Orlando Poe and built under Godfrey Weitzel, the lighthouse is situated on the northern tip of Outer Island in Lake Superior. The structure is attached to a two-story red brick keeper's quarters. Its geographic range extends to 12 nautical miles.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is a National Register of Historic Places contributing property.

Background
The Outer Island lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the northern tip of Outer Island, one of the Apostle Islands, in Lake Superior in Ashland County, Wisconsin, near the city of Bayfield. The light was designed by United States Lighthouse Board Eleventh District Chief Engineer Orlando Poe and constructed under the supervision of his successor, Godfrey Weitzel. Currently owned by the National Park Service and part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, part of reference number 77000145. It is listed in the Library of Congress Historic American Buildings Survey, WI-318. The lighthouse is attached to a two-story, red brick keeper's quarters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
40m
Geographic Range
12NM

Construction & History

Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places contributing property

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7111984 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
27m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Northern Wisconsin
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
47.0767°
Longitude
-90.4168°

Nearby Vessels

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

Find Outer Island 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 do mariners identify Outer Island Lighthouse at night?+
Outer Island displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white 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.
Which ports and harbors does Outer Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Outer Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Bayfield at 23.3 NM to the SW. Other ports served include LA POINTE (23.5 NM SW), Taconite Harbor (33.8 NM NW), Ashland (34.4 NM SW), Silver Bay (36.4 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Outer Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Outer Island 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 Outer Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Outer Island 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.