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Sanibel Island Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 6s🇺🇸Western Florida, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sanibel Island Lighthouse

The Sanibel Island Light, also known as Point Ybel Light, first illuminated the coast in 1884. This iron skeleton tower stands 30 meters tall, with its light positioned at the same elevation. A central spiral staircase begins approximately 3 meters above the ground. The lighthouse is situated on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. Its light is white and operates on a regular cycle. The structure is a registered National Historic Place.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this lighthouse was one of the earliest on Florida's Gulf coast north of Key West. It guided vessels entering San Carlos Bay for the port of Punta Rassa.

Background
The Sanibel Island Light or Point Ybel Light was one of the first lighthouses on Florida's Gulf coast north of Key West and the Dry Tortugas. The light, 98-foot above sea level, on an iron skeleton tower was first lit on August 20, 1884 and has a central spiral staircase beginning about 10 feet above the ground. It is located on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, and was built to mark the entrance to San Carlos Bay for ships calling at the port of Punta Rassa, across San Carlos Bay from Sanibel Island. The grounds are open to the public, but the lighthouse itself is not.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Focal Height
30m

Construction & History

Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7418266 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
30m

Location

City
Western Florida
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
26.4530°
Longitude
-82.0142°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Sanibel Island Lighthouse at night?+
Sanibel Island displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 6s — 2 white flashes 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 Sanibel Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sanibel Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is SANIBEL at 0.9 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include FORT MYERS BEACH (3.7 NM E), Saint James City (4.1 NM WNW), Cape Coral (5.6 NM N), MALAGA (7.8 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sanibel Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sanibel Island 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 Sanibel Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sanibel Island 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.