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Santapille Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 10s🇮🇳INOperational

Location & Light Range

About Santapille Lighthouse

Also known as: Santapille (Santhapalli)

The Santapille Lighthouse, a 22-meter cylindrical masonry tower, was built in 1903. It displays horizontal black and white bands on its exterior, with a red lantern dome. The light emits a white flash every 10 seconds, visible for 17.6 nautical miles. This is not the original structure; an earlier light was destroyed by a typhoon. Ruins from a 1849 lighthouse and possibly an 18th-century Dutch lighthouse are also present at the site, indicating a long history of navigation aids in the area. The nearest port is Bheemunipatnam, about 15 km away.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides vessels along the eastern Indian coastline in the Bay of Bengal. Its history is marked by the destruction of earlier structures by typhoons, underscoring the challenging maritime conditions it helps to mitigate.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
43m
Geographic Range
17.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1903

Significant events: original light destroyed by typhoon

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Bheemunipatnam(14.6 km)
Admiralty No.
F0980
NGA No.
26960
ARLHS No.
IND-061

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
22m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with horizontal black and white bands
Material
masonry

Structure: round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted with horizontal black and white bands; lantern dome painted red

Location

Country
🇮🇳India
Region
Andhra Pradesh
Sea Region
about 50 km northeast of Bhimunipatnam
Latitude
18.0664°
Longitude
83.6375°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Santapille Lighthouse at night?+
Santapille displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 10s — 2 white flashes every 10 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.
Which ports and harbors does Santapille Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Santapille Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 3 nearby ports. The closest is Visakhapatnam at 29.9 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Vizagapatanam (32.4 NM SW), Gangavaram (34.9 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Santapille Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Santapille 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 Santapille Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Santapille 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.