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Punta Islay Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 10s🇵🇪Islay, PEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Punta Islay Lighthouse

Also known as: Punta Islay (Matarani, Mollendo)

This concrete lighthouse, built in 1930, stands 13 meters tall on a promontory at Matarani, Peru. The cylindrical tower, painted with its upper half red and lower half black, exhibits a white light with a single flash every 10 seconds. Its focal height reaches 65 meters, providing a geographic range of 20.8 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed. The lighthouse replaced an earlier light that was situated on an island just offshore.

Why it matters: Punta Islay lighthouse guides vessels approaching or departing the nearby port of Matarani, approximately 1.1 kilometers away, and aids navigation along the southern Arequipa coastline.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
65m
Light Range
19NM (35.2 km)
Geographic Range
20.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1930

Significant events: The light was originally on an island just offshore

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
Upper half of the tower painted red, lower half black
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower

Location

City
Islay
Country
🇵🇪Peru
Region
Arequipa
Sea Region
on a promontory at Matarani, about 10 km (6 mi) west of Mollendo in southern Arequipa
Latitude
-17.0158°
Longitude
-72.1119°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Matarani(1.1 km)
Admiralty No.
G2010
NGA No.
976
ARLHS No.
PER-027
Wikidata
Q115204841 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Punta Islay Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 65 meters and a nominal range of 19 nautical miles (approximately 35.2 km), Punta Islay 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 Punta Islay Lighthouse at night?+
Punta Islay displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 10s — 2 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. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Punta Islay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Punta Islay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Matarani at 1.2 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Mollendo (6.2 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Punta Islay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Punta Islay 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 Punta Islay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Punta Islay 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.