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Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 20s🇿🇦Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, ZAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse

Also known as: Saldanha Bay North Head (Saldanhabaai)

The Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse, a cylindrical tower standing 21 meters tall, features black and white spiral bands. First lit in 1939, its current structure was built in 2005, with the lantern installed after December 2004. The light emits a single white flash every 20 seconds, visible for 15.7 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated on a sharp promontory at the entrance to Saldanha Bay, a location on South African Navy property. Its focal height reaches 32 meters above sea level.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks a sharp promontory at the entrance to Saldanha Bay, guiding vessels into the port. Its distinctive markings aid in visual identification along the coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
32m
Geographic Range
15.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2005
First Lit
1939

Significant events: Original aluminum lattice tower, new lighthouse built in 2005, new light's lantern installed after December 2004

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Saldanha Bay(2.3 km)

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
21m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with black and white spiral bands

Structure: round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white spiral bands

Location

City
Saldanha Bay Local Municipality
Country
🇿🇦South Africa
Region
Western Cape
Sea Region
on a sharp promontory at the entrance to Saldanha Bay and the port of Saldanha
Latitude
-33.0506°
Longitude
17.9108°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse at night?+
Saldanha Bay North Head displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 20s — 3 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 Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Saldanha Bay at 3.9 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include LANGEBAAN (6.8 NM ESE), Bottelary (10.7 NM ESE), LAAIPLEK (20.5 NM NE), Elands Bay (49.5 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Saldanha Bay North Head 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.
What shipping routes pass near Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse?+
Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse is located within the Cape of Good Hope route — the historic shipping route around the southern tip of Africa. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Saldanha Bay North Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Saldanha Bay North Head 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.