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Sand Key Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 15s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sand Key Lighthouse

This skeletal tower, standing 12 meters tall, was commissioned in 2014. It is located about 150 meters north of a previous lighthouse structure. The tower is a square design, 12 meters high, and mounted on a platform supported by piles. Its geographic range is 11 nautical miles, emitting a white light with a characteristic of one flash every 15 seconds. The site is accessible by boat, but the tower remains closed to the public. Sand Key is situated on a reef that is sometimes covered by sand and marks the southernmost point of the Hawk Channel passage.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides vessels through channels into Key West, a location historically requiring navigational assistance.

Background
Sand Key Light is a lighthouse 6 nautical miles southwest of Key West, Florida, between Sand Key Channel and Rock Key Channel, two of the channels into Key West, on a reef intermittently covered by sand. At times the key has been substantial enough to have trees, and in 1900 nine to twelve thousand terns nested on the island. At other times the island has been washed away completely. The light marks the southernmost point of the Hawk Channel passage along the Florida Keys.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
12m
Light Range
14NM (25.9 km)
Geographic Range
11NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2014

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
skeletal

Structure: A 12m square skeletal tower mounted on a square platform supported by piles.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Florida
Sea Region
About 150 meters north of the historic lighthouse.
Latitude
24.6281°
Longitude
-82.8723°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Key West(58.7 km)
Admiralty No.
J3006
USCG No.
3-1055
ARLHS No.
USA-1055
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7415820 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Sand Key Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 12 meters and a nominal range of 14 nautical miles (approximately 25.9 km), Sand Key is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Sand Key Lighthouse at night?+
Sand Key displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 15s — 2 white flashes every 15 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.
Is Sand Key Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sand Key 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 Sand Key Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sand Key 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.