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Whale Rock Lighthouse

F🇺🇸Rhode Island, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Whale Rock Lighthouse

The Whale Rock Lighthouse was constructed in 1882 and first lit in the same year. This sparkplug lighthouse marked Whale Rock, an island situated at the entrance to the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. The area around the rock was known to be dangerous for navigation. The lighthouse is no longer operational. Its function has been superseded by the Whale Rock Lighted Gong Buoy 3.

Background
Whale Rock Light was a sparkplug lighthouse marking Whale Rock, a dangerous island in the entrance to the West Passage of Narragansett Bay in Washington County, Rhode Island. The rock is now marked by Whale Rock Lighted Gong Buoy 3.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F
Flash Type
Fixed

Location

City
Rhode Island
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.4444°
Longitude
-71.4238°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1882

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q16903171 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Whale Rock Lighthouse at night?+
Whale Rock displays the characteristic F. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Whale Rock Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Whale Rock Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is POINT JUDITH NORTH at 3.4 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include LONG COVE & CAMPGROU (3.5 NM WSW), FORT WETHERILL STATE (3.6 NM NE), SAUNDERSTOWN (3.9 NM N), South Kingstown (4.2 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Whale Rock Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Whale Rock Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near Whale Rock Lighthouse?+
Whale Rock Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Whale Rock Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Whale Rock 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.