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Punta San Juan Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 20s🇵🇪Marcona, PEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Punta San Juan Lighthouse

Also known as: Punta San Juan (San Juan de Marcona)

This lighthouse, established as a navigational station in 1935, began operating with its current light in 1974. The structure is a 12-meter-tall round, cylindrical concrete tower topped with a lantern and gallery, connected to a small workroom. Situated on a cape projecting into the Pacific Ocean about 8 miles south of San Nicolás, its light emits a white flash every 20 seconds from a focal height of 95 meters. This light has a geographic range of 24.3 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides maritime traffic along the Peruvian Pacific coast, marking a significant cape south of San Nicolás and helping vessels navigate hazards.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
95m
Light Range
17NM (31.5 km)
Geographic Range
24.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1974

Significant events: station established 1935

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small workroom

Location

City
Marcona
Country
🇵🇪Peru
Region
Ica
Sea Region
a cape projecting into the Pacific about 8 miles south of San Nicolás
Latitude
-15.3612°
Longitude
-75.1807°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
San Juan(1.3 km)
Admiralty No.
G2028
NGA No.
916
ARLHS No.
PER-033
Wikidata
Q115204843 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Punta San Juan Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 95 meters and a nominal range of 17 nautical miles (approximately 31.5 km), Punta San Juan 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 San Juan Lighthouse at night?+
Punta San Juan displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 20s — 2 white flashes every 20 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 San Juan Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Punta San Juan Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is San Juan at 1.3 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include San Nicolas (8.1 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Punta San Juan Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Punta San Juan 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 San Juan Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Punta San Juan 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.