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

Stora Karlsö Lighthouse

LFl (2) White/Red 12s🇸🇪Gotland Municipality, SEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Stora Karlsö Lighthouse

Built in 1887, the Stora Karlsö Lighthouse is an 18-meter tall cylindrical stone tower with green trim, standing on a vertical cliff at the northwest corner of the island. The structure, attached to a two-story stone keeper's house, features a lantern and gallery. Its light emitted two white or red flashes every 12 seconds, with a geographic range of 19.5 nautical miles. The lighthouse became inactive in 2010 and its light was moved to a nearby mast. The keeper's house and surrounding site are open to the public, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse served to guide vessels navigating the waters near Stora Karlsö, warning them of the island's offshore position along the Gotland coast and its steep cliffs.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
LFl (2) White/Red 12s
Flash Type
Long Flash
Light Color
White/Red
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
12s
Raw Code
LFl(2) W R 12s
Focal Height
56m
Geographic Range
19.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1887

Significant events: Inactive since 2010

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with green trim
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the seaward side of a 2-story stone keeper's house

Location

City
Gotland Municipality
Country
🇸🇪Sweden
Region
Gotland County
Sea Region
Stora Karlsö, an island 6 km off the southwest coast of Gotland, located atop a vertical cliff at the northwest corner of the island.
Latitude
57.2897°
Longitude
17.9586°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Klintehamn(9.3 km)
Admiralty No.
C7224
NGA No.
9772
ARLHS No.
SWE-371
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Stora Karlsö Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Sweden, 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 Stora Karlsö Lighthouse at night?+
Stora Karlsö displays the characteristic LFl (2) White/Red 12s — 2 white/red flashes every 12 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/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Stora Karlsö Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Stora Karlsö Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Klintehamn at 10.2 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Ronehamn (18.6 NM ESE), Tomtbod (19.7 NM ESE), Visby (23.4 NM NNE), Grankullavik (28 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Stora Karlsö Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Stora Karlsö 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 Stora Karlsö Lighthouse?+
Stora Karlsö Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Stora Karlsö Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Stora Karlsö 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.