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Point Atkinson Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 5s🇨🇦West Vancouver, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Point Atkinson Lighthouse

The octagonal concrete tower at Point Atkinson was constructed in 1912 and first lit in the same year. Standing 18 meters tall with a focal height of 33 meters, it emits a white flash every 5 seconds. This structure, featuring six ribs, a lantern, and a gallery, marks the north side of the entrance to Vancouver Harbour. It is situated within a municipal park in West Vancouver, accessible by a hiking trail. The lighthouse was featured in the television series Harper's Island between 2008 and 2009.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels entering Vancouver Harbour from the north, a significant port on Canada's west coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
33m
Geographic Range
15.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1912
Heritage Status
Application pending (2014)

Significant events: Featured in Harper's Island (2008-09), West Vancouver Historical Society formed Point Atkinson Lighthouse Society (PALS) (1998), PALS applied for restoration grant (2008), grave concern about deteriorating condition (2013), district government applied for Heritage status (2014), PALS filed business plan for management (2015)

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Bowen Island(4.0 km)
Admiralty No.
G5426
NGA No.
12972
USCG No.
6-20500
ARLHS No.
CAN-387

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete tower with 6 ribs, lantern and gallery

Location

City
West Vancouver
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
British Columbia
Sea Region
Marks the north side of the entrance to Vancouver Harbour, located within a municipal park in West Vancouver, accessible via a hiking trail.
Latitude
49.3304°
Longitude
-123.2646°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Atkinson Lighthouse at night?+
Point Atkinson displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 5s — 2 white flashes every 5 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Point Atkinson Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Atkinson Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is West Vancouver at 2.8 NM to the N. Other ports served include Bowen Island (3.5 NM NW), Burrard Inlet (3.7 NM ESE), English Bay (5.4 NM SE), Vancouver (8.6 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Atkinson Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Atkinson 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 Point Atkinson Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Atkinson 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.