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Southampton Shoal Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇺🇸San Francisco, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Southampton Shoal Lighthouse

Southampton Shoal Lighthouse is a 10-meter white cylindrical post attached to a 1-story equipment building. It was built and first lit in 1960, replacing an earlier structure. The lighthouse is situated on a platform at the southwest edge of Southampton Shoals, northeast of Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. It emits a white light that flashes once every 5 seconds. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns ships about the Southampton Shoal, a hazard southwest of Point Richmond.

Background
Southampton Shoal is a former lighthouse site in California, United States. A platform sits at the southwest edge of Southampton Shoals, northeast of Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. The platform is all that remains of the original structure and supports an automated bell which chimes every ten seconds and red light mounted on a pole, which flashes on for three seconds and is then dark for three seconds in each six second cycle.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1960

Significant events: Original lighthouse relocated

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
White

Structure: A 10m white cylindrical post adjoining a square 1-story equipment building.

Location

City
San Francisco
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
California
Sea Region
Shoal southwest of Point Richmond
Latitude
37.8820°
Longitude
-122.4006°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Richmond(2.4 km)
Admiralty No.
G4192
USCG No.
6-5480
ARLHS No.
USA-258
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7570818 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Southampton Shoal Lighthouse at night?+
Southampton Shoal 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 Southampton Shoal Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Southampton Shoal Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Richmond at 2.6 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Tiburon (2.6 NM WSW), TREASURE ISLAND (3.9 NM SSE), Sausalito (4 NM WSW), Berkeley (4.2 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Southampton Shoal Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Southampton Shoal 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 Southampton Shoal Lighthouse?+
Southampton Shoal Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Southampton Shoal Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Southampton Shoal 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.