Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse

Oc Red 6s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse

This skeletal steel tower stands 46 meters tall on the west coast of St. Simons Island, marking the approach to St. Simons Sound. Painted white, it emits an occluded red light that flashes every 6 seconds, visible for 18.1 nautical miles. The tower's focal height matches its structural height. While the site is accessible, the tower itself is closed to the public. The nearest port is Brunswick, located 4.2 kilometers away. The tower's design reflects a modern approach to lighthouse construction, differing from older masonry structures.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is critical for guiding vessels through the specific and often challenging approach to St. Simons Sound, ensuring safe passage for both commercial and recreational traffic. Its focused red light, visible only along this precise channel, prevents groundings and collisions in a busy coastal area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Red 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc R 6s
Focal Height
46m
Geographic Range
18.1NM

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Georgia
Sea Region
St. Simons Sound, off the west coast of St. Simons Island, marking the approach to St. Simons Sound
Latitude
31.1488°
Longitude
-81.4185°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Brunswick(4.2 km)
Admiralty No.
J2843
USCG No.
3-6120

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
46m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
white
Material
steel

Structure: A 46m square skeletal steel tower, painted white.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near United States, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse at night?+
St. Simons North Tower displays the characteristic Oc Red 6s. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Brunswick at 6.3 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include JEKYLL (6.3 NM S), Fernandina Beach (28.3 NM S), AMELIA ISLAND (31.2 NM S), Amelia City (34 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, St. Simons North Tower 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 St. Simons North Tower Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near St. Simons North Tower 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.