Lighthouses of Namibia

Namibia was the country formerly called South West Africa. Its colonial history began in 1878, when Britain took control of the port of Walvis Bay. The rest of South West Africa became a German colony in 1884. South African troops occupied the German colony in 1915, early in World War I, and South Africa remained in control of the territory for the next 75 years. After a lengthy struggle, Namibia became independent in 1990, and South Africa finally ceded its control of Walvis Bay in 1994. Since the fall of the apartheid government in South Africa, relations between the two countries have become much warmer. Aids to navigation in Namibia are maintained by Namport, the national port authority. There are three active traditional lighthouses in the country, plus one additional historic lighthouse. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113. General Sources Leuchttürme an der namibischen Küste Photos by various authors posted by Bernd Claußen. Afrikanische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard views from the collection of Klaus Huelse.

Pelican Point Light, May 2007 Creative Commons photo by Carlos Reis

Lighthouses

* Swakopmund 1903 (extended in 1910). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2.3 s, every 10 s. 28 m (92 ft) round tower with lantern and double gallery. The upper portion painted with red and white horizontal bands; the lower portion is unpainted brick. The lower 11 m (36 ft) is the original 1902 lighthouse; the upper section was added in 1910. Doug Pearson's photo is at right, Kevin Rutterford has a good photo, Hannes Steyn has another lovely photo, Klaus Huelse has a postcard view of the lighthouse in its original form, and Google has a satellite view. The town of Swakopmund was founded by the Germans in 1892 as the seaport of their colony, the better harbor of Walvis Bay being in British hands. It is a port no longer; today the town, with its turn-of-the-century German architecture, is a popular seaside resort. Located on Dr. Ludwig Koch Street, near the beach in downtown Swakopmund, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Walvis Bay. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NAM-004; Admiralty D5510; NGA 25752.

Swakopmund Light photo copyright Doug Pearson; used by permission

Pelican Point (2)

1932 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); three white flashes, separated by 3.6 s, every 20 s. 34 m (112 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern painted red. An adjacent 3-story building, apparently abandoned now, was a harbor control center. Fog horn (one short blast, two long blasts, and one short blast every 30 s) located 180 m (200 yd) north. Carlos Reis's photo appears above, another current photo and a second photo are available, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse was built by the government of South Africa during its administration of the Walvis Bay territory. Pelican Point is a long sandy peninsula sheltering Walvis Bay, the best naturally protected harbor on the southwest African coast. The light station is near the tip of the peninsula, accessible only by 4WD or by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NAM-003; Admiralty D5520; NGA 25756.

* Diaz Point (2) 1915 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); white flash every 10 s. 28 m (92 ft) tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 1-story hexagonal stone base. The tower is painted with red and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (one 2 s blast every 20 s) located 450 m (1/4 mi) north. A fog signal tower also survives. Also nearby is a stone cross commemorating the landing here by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Diaz in 1487. Damien du Toit's photo is at right, Brian McMorrow has a portfolio of photos, and Google has a satellite view. Klaus Huelse has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, a short masonry tower. Diaz Point shelters the bay of Lüderitz, the only naturally protected harbor in the country other than Walvis Bay. Located on heights about 500 m (0.3 mi) south of the tip of the point. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NAM-002; Admiralty D5600; NGA 25788. ** Shark Island (1) 1903. Inactive. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) square cylindrical tower with gallery attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lantern removed. The building has been repainted buff with green trim. An excellent photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The old lighthouse is now incorporated in a resort and has several rooms available for overnight accommodations. Now joined to the mainland at its south end, Shark Island shelters the small harbor of Lüderitz. Located at the highest point of the "island" and accessible by road. Site open, lighthouse open to guests. Owner: Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Site manager: Shark Island Resort. ARLHS NAM-005. * Shark Island (2) Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 34 m (111 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, 2.5 s on, 7.5 s off. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. A photo of the old lighthouse and the active light is available. Located a short distance seaward of the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D5606; NGA 25808.

Diaz Point Light, July 2006 Creative Commons photo by Damien du Toit

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted May 24, 2005. Checked and revised November 1, 2009. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.