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Vatnholmen Lighthouse

Fl White/Red/Green 5s🇳🇴Hammerfest, NOOperational

Location & Light Range

About Vatnholmen Lighthouse

Vatnholmen Lighthouse is a cylindrical fiberglass tower standing 6.5 meters tall, topped by a red lantern roof. Its focal height reaches 15 meters, casting a light with a geographic range of 11.9 nautical miles. The light emits a white, red, or green flash every 5 seconds, adapting to the specific sector. This structure is located on a small island off the southeast coast of Sørøya, approximately 50 km southwest of Hammerfest. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels along the southeast coast of Sørøya and towards Hammerfest. Its sector light system precisely delineates safe channels and warns of coastal hazards in a region with complex island geography.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White/Red/Green 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl WRG 5s
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
11.9NM

Location

City
Hammerfest
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Finnmark
Sea Region
a small island off the southeast coast of Sørøya, about 50 km southwest of Hammerfest
Latitude
70.6549°
Longitude
23.4633°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Melkoya(3.1 km)
Admiralty No.
L3870
NGA No.
13904
ARLHS No.
NOR-089

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red lantern roof
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round cylindrical fiberglass tower with lantern and gallery

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Vatnholmen Lighthouse at night?+
Vatnholmen displays the characteristic Fl White/Red/Green 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/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Vatnholmen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Vatnholmen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Melkøya at 3.2 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Rypefjord (4 NM ESE), Hammerfest (4.3 NM E), Akkarfjord (7.7 NM N), Forsøl (7.9 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Vatnholmen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Vatnholmen 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 Vatnholmen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Vatnholmen 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.