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Sandy Hook Point Lighthouse

Iso W 6s🇺🇸New Jersey, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sandy Hook Point Lighthouse

Constructed in 1764, this lighthouse stands as the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. The white tower measures 26 meters in height. Its light, visible for 19 nautical miles, emits a fixed white beam. Originally built 150 meters from the shore, coastal accretion has since moved it inland. The lighthouse has been operational since its completion in 1764 and is open to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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
Iso W 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
F
Focal Height
11.5m
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
40.4707°
Longitude
-74.0185°

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 Point Lighthouse at night?+
Sandy Hook Point displays the characteristic Iso W 6s — 1 white flash every 6 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.
Which ports and harbors does Sandy Hook Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sandy Hook Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FORT HANCOCK at 0.5 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Fort hancock (0.6 NM ESE), Atlantic Highlands (3.3 NM S), LEONARDO STATE (3.5 NM SSW), BELFORD (3.7 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sandy Hook Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sandy Hook Point 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 Point Lighthouse?+
Sandy Hook Point 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 Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sandy Hook Point 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.