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Sandy Hook Lighthouse

F W🇺🇸New Jersey, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Construction of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse was completed in 1764, the same year it was first lit. The white tower stands 26 meters tall, with its light positioned at 27 meters above sea level. It emits a fixed white light visible for 19 nautical miles. Originally built close to the shoreline, land accumulation has since moved it inland. The lighthouse is open to the public.

Why it matters: As the oldest working lighthouse in the United States, Sandy Hook was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 for its historical role in commerce and transportation.

Background
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, located about one and a half statute miles (2.4 km) inland from the tip of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. It was designed and built on June 11, 1764 by Isaac Conro. At that time, it stood only 500 feet (150 metres) from the tip of Sandy Hook; however, today, due to growth caused by littoral drift, it is almost one and a half miles (2.4 km) inland from the tip. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966, for its significance in commerce and transportation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F W
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Raw Code
F
Focal Height
27m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1764
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

Visiting

Open to public
yes

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
26m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
New Jersey
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.4616°
Longitude
-74.0020°

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
LLNR 35040
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7417304 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Sandy Hook Lighthouse at night?+
Sandy Hook displays the characteristic F W. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Sandy Hook Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sandy Hook Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FORT HANCOCK at 0.4 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Fort hancock (0.4 NM NW), Atlantic Highlands (3 NM SSW), LEONARDO STATE (3.6 NM SW), BELFORD (4.1 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sandy Hook Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sandy Hook 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 Sandy Hook Lighthouse?+
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Sandy Hook Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sandy Hook 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.