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Sandhammaren Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇸🇪Ystads kommun, SEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sandhammaren Lighthouse

Built in 1862, Sandhammaren Lighthouse is a 29.5-meter tall, 12-sided skeletal tower constructed of cast iron. It stands approximately 200 meters from the cape's edge in the southeastern corner of Scania, about 8 kilometers south of Borrby. Originally established with twin towers to differentiate it from another nearby light, the northern tower was deactivated in 1891 and later relocated. The current structure features a lantern, gallery, and enclosed watch room atop a central cylinder. Its light, a white flash every 5 seconds, has a geographic range of 15.5 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels around the southeastern tip of Scania, a coastline known for its dunes and maritime forests. It originally operated as one of a pair of identical towers, a design intended to enhance navigational clarity in the area.

Background
Sandhammaren is a Swedish lighthouse, and the name of both a beach and a point east of Ystad in Scania. At first two identical lighthouses were constructed, because it was a risk to mistake this lighthouse with the one on Ertholmene. The flame first ran on colza oil. Later on (1891), one of the lighthouses was put out of service and moved to Pite-Rönnskär in Norrland, at the same time the lamp was transformed to a paraffin lamp. The lighthouse was electrified in 1952.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
31m
Light Range
22NM (40.7 km)
Geographic Range
15.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1862

Significant events: North tower deactivated in 1891, North tower relocated in 1905

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
29.5m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
red
Material
cast iron

Structure: 12-sided cast iron skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, enclosed watch room, and central cylinder

Location

City
Ystads kommun
Country
🇸🇪Sweden
Region
Skåne County
Sea Region
extensive area of dunes and maritime forest at the southeastern corner of Scania, located in the forest about 200 m from the point of the cape, about 8 km south of Borrby
Latitude
55.3867°
Longitude
14.1929°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Simrishamn(11.7 km)
Admiralty No.
C2460
NGA No.
5648
ARLHS No.
SWE-055
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q980133 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Sandhammaren Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 31 meters and a nominal range of 22 nautical miles (approximately 40.7 km), Sandhammaren 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 Sandhammaren Lighthouse at night?+
Sandhammaren displays the characteristic Fl White 5s. 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 Sandhammaren Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sandhammaren Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is BRANTEVIK at 9.4 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Simrishamn (10.9 NM NNE), Ystad (13 NM W), Kivik (18.2 NM N), ABBEKAS (20.1 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sandhammaren Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sandhammaren 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 Sandhammaren Lighthouse?+
Sandhammaren Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Sandhammaren Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sandhammaren 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.