Lighthouses of Indonesia

Indonesia has been independent since 1956, after having been the Dutch East Indies for more than 350 years. It is a huge country, stretching along both sides of the Equator for more than 46 degrees of longitude (roughly 5100 km or 3200 miles). Comprised of some 17,000 islands (more than 6000 inhabited islands), it has hundreds of major aids to navigation. Unfortunately, we have no idea how many of these aids can be considered lighthouses. Information about them is scarce, and photos are even scarcer. Official light lists contain dozens of entries for "framework towers" and "white beacons," providing little guidance for the lighthouse fan. As a result, this page is nowhere near complete. Listed here are towers at locations known to be historic Dutch light stations, plus some additional sites at which there is some evidence for a lighthouse. Added to this is an appeal for more information and photos; if you know about lighthouses in Indonesia, please share that knowledge. The Indonesian word for a lighthouse is mercusuar. The phrase menara suar, which includes the Arabic word menara, is sometimes used instead. Aids to navigation in Indonesia are operated and maintained by the Indonesian Directorate of Marine Navigation (Indomarinav). ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volumes F and K of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112. What's Hot:

Cikoneng (Anyer) Light, Sunda Strait, Java Indomarinav photo

General Sources
Historical Lighthouses

From Indomarinav, information on four surviving Dutch lighthouses.

KITLV

The English-language web site of the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies has historical photos of Dutch lighthouses in Indonesia.

North Sumatra Lighthouses

Breueh (Pulau Bras, Willemstoren) 1875. Active; focal plane 160 m (525 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 44 m (144 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted red with one very broad white horizontal band. KITLV has a historic photo. This light marks the extreme northwestern corner of Indonesia, the island of Breueh off the northwestern end of Sumatra. Breueh was devastated by the tsunami of December 26, 2004, but this lighthouse was far above the waves. It may have suffered severe earthquake damage, however. Located at the north point of Breueh, about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Banda Aceh; Google has a satellite view. Apparently accessible by road. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-051; Admiralty F1302; NGA 22236. Pulau Klah (Pulau Weh) (2) Date unknown (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light, 7 s on, 23 s off. 10 m (33 ft) skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The lighthouse is high enough to have escaped damage from the tsunami of December 26, 2004, but might have been damaged by the earthquake. Located on a small island in the entrance to the harbor of Sabang, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Banda Aceh. Google has a satellite view. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-208; Admiralty F1310; NGA 22244. Ujung Seuke Date unknown (1980s?). Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. Tall square skeletal tower with gallery (and lantern?), painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the southeastern tip of Pulau Weh about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Sabang. Site status unknown. Admiralty F1314; NGA 22258. Pulau Buru (2) Date unknown (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) cylindrical tower with gallery, centered on a square base. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse may have escaped serious damage by the 2004 tsunami, because it is built on an isolated island too small (only 50 m (160 ft) in diameter) to trigger the great waves to rise up to destructive size. KITLV has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, a hexagonal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Located about 15 km (9 mi) north of Banda Aceh and a similar distance south of Pulau Weh. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty F1315; NGA 22268.

Brueh Light, February 1997 photo copyright Jürgen Klinksiek used by permission

Ulee Lheue (Banda Aceh)

Date unknown. Status unknown. Approx.18 m (59 ft) square concrete pylon, unpainted. The beacon originally had a lantern, but no pre-tsunami photos have been found. The tsunami swept entirely over the tower, ripping off the lantern and creating a lasting symbol of its fury. A closeup photo of the result is available. A Google satellite view shows the beacon still standing; we do not know if it has been restored. Located on a low island sheltering Ulee Lheue, the harbor district of Banda Aceh. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.

Jambuair (2)

Date unknown (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); one long (1.5 s) white flash every 5 s. 40 m (131 ft) skeletal tower on an octagonal base. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available. The original lighthouse was a 26 m (85 ft) screwpile tower. This lighthouse is on Sumatra's northern "shoulder," marking the south side of the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. Located on Tanjung (cape) Jambuair, about 40 km (25 mi) east of Lhokseurnawe. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-083; Admiralty F1327; NGA 22364.

Singapore Strait Lighthouse Takong Kecil (Pulau Takong Kecil) (2) Date unknown (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 30 m (98 ft) tapered octagonal aluminum tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Although it is located in Indonesian waters, this lighthouse is maintained by Singapore, which is responsible under international agreements for safeguarding and regulating navigation of the Singapore Strait. It was apparently built sometime shortly after World War II. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1998 and its height may have been increased at that time. Located on a small island in the strait about 7 km (4.5 mi) southwest of Singapore's famous Raffles Lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F1694; NGA 21480.

Takong Kecil Light, July 1999 photo copyright Jürgen Klinksiek; used by permission

Bangka, Belitung, and Karimata Strait Lighthouses
*** Tanjung Kelian

Date unknown (station established 1862). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white flash every 5 s. 50 m (164 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Upper third of lighthouse painted red, lower 2/3 white. A photo is available, and a May 2006 photo shows the lighthouse much in need of repainting. Several sources give 1826 as the date of the lighthouse, but this is probably a typo for 1862. This lighthouse guides ships entering the Strait of Bangka, which separates Sumatra from the smaller island of Bangka. It March 2006 the lighthouse was vandalized, the thieves taking some of the ironwork. Located on a point of land about 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Mentok. Site open, tower open for climbing. ARLHS IDO-041; Admiralty K0998; NGA 22864.

Pulau Pelapasan (West Nangka)

1893. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 35 m (115 ft) 12-sided cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is available. Located on an island on the east side of the Strait of Bangka, about 75 km (45 mi) southeast of Tanjung Kelian. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-001; Admiralty K0992; NGA 22876.

Pulau Besar

1889. Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 57 m (187 ft) octagonal skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder; according to NGA it is white with a brown top and white lantern. No photo available. This lighthouse is located on the east side of the southern entrance to the Strait of Bangka. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-018; Admiralty K0988; NGA 22904.

Pulau Simedang

Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 57 m (187 ft) 16-sided iron tower, painted white. No photo available. This lighthouse is in the Java Sea about 80 km (50 mi) southeast of Bangka and 50 km (30 mi) southwest of Belitung. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-029; Admiralty K1020; NGA 22972.

Tanjung Ajer Lantjoer (Mendanau)

1882. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 27 m (89 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available. This lighthouse guides ships through the Gelasa Strait, between Bangka and Belitung; the strait is important because it is a shortcut route between Singapore and Jakarta. Located at the western point of the island of Mendanau, off the west coast of Belitung. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-036; Admiralty K1024; NGA 22976.

Pulau Lengkuas (Langkuas)

1883. Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. 57 m (187 ft) round cast iron tower, painted white with lantern and gallery. Several photos are available (1/3 the way down the page), and another collection of photos is available. This lighthouse is just off the northwestern point of Belitung, facing the Karimata Strait, which joins the South China Sea to the Java Sea between Sumatra and Kalimantan (Borneo). Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-010; Admiralty K1030; NGA 22984.

Pulau Serutu (Seroetoe)

1902. Active; focal plane 175 m (574 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 25 m (82 ft) round cast iron skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. KITLV has a historic photo. This lighthouse provides a landfall light for eastbound ships entering the narrowest portion of the Karimata Strait, between Belitung and Kalimantan (Borneo). Located atop a high island about 120 km (75 mi) west of Ketapang, Kalimantan. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-181; Admiralty K1406; NGA 25060.

Gosong Mampango (Discovery East Bank) (2)

Date unknown (station established about 1903). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) skeletal tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available. This lighthouse stands on a reef and marks the southern entrance to Karimata Strait; it is located about 130 km (80 mi) southeast of Belitung and about the same distance southeast of the coast of Kalimantan (Borneo). Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-132; Admiralty K1034; NGA 25052.

South Sumatra Lighthouses
Jaga Utara (Noordwachter, North Watcher)

1869. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two white flashes every 11 s. 48 m (157 ft) 12-sided skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder, painted white, rising from a 12-sided 1-story base. No current photo available. This lighthouse, the oldest of the Dutch cast iron towers in the Indies, is off the southeast coast of Sumatra about 120 km (75 mi) northeast of the northern entrance to Sunda Strait. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-062; Admiralty K1042; NGA 23376.

Serdang

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 40 m (131 ft) "red lantern on white framework tower," according to NGA. No photo available. This lighthouse is on the west side of the south entrance to Sunda Strait, in the mouth of the bay of Panjang. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-276; Admiralty K1026.5; NGA 23020.

Tanjung Cukuhbalambing (Vlakken Hoek, Balimbing) (2)

Date unknown (station established 1880). Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 58 m (190 ft) white metal tower with dwelling. No photo available. This lighthouse marks the southern point of Sumatra; it is a landfall light for eastbound ships approaching the Sunda Strait. The original lighthouse here, a 60 m (197 ft) cast iron tower, was destroyed by the tsunami waves created by the eruption of Krakatoa in August 1883; the Rijksmuseum has a scale model of this tower. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-082; Admiralty K0914; NGA 23076.

West Sumatra Lighthouses

Pulau Tikus Date unknown (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white light, 5 s on, 5 s off. 30 m (98 ft) round cast iron skeletal tower with dwelling, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available; we do not know if this is the original Dutch lighthouse. The light station is reported to be staffed. Located on an island about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Bengkulu; boat transportation to the island can be hired in Bengkulu. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-254; Admiralty K0884; NGA 23104. * Ujung Batumandi (Ujung Sungei Bramei) (2) Date unknown (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 161 m (528 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) white round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house. Located on a sharp promontory about 10 km (6 mi) south of Padang; accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-086; Admiralty K0864; NGA 23164. Pulau Bojo 1885. Active; focal plane 119 m (390 ft); white flash every 4 s. 60 m (197 ft) round cast iron tower with stone dwelling, painted white. No photo available. The purpose of this light is to mark the passage north of Siberut, leading to the west Sumatran port of Padang; it is the landfall light for Padang. Located on an island just off the south tip of Tanahbala. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-070; Admiralty K0842; NGA 23192.

Ujung Batumandi Light U.S. NGA photo

West Java Lighthouses
Tanjung Layar (Ujung Kulon, First Point) (3)

Date unknown (station established 1877). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) white metal framework tower. No photo available. This lighthouse, the third at the station, is at the extreme southwest tip of Java, marking the east side of the entrance to the Sunda Strait from the Indian Ocean. There is a report (see halfway down the page) that foundations of the first brick lighthouse remain, and it is possible to climb halfway up the second, cast iron lighthouse, built in 1906. A photo is available, as well as a small photo (3/4 the way down the page). The lighthouse is staffed by crews rotating every four months. The area is included in the Ujung Kulon National Park. Google has a satellite view of the station. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-084; Admiralty K1050.2; NGA 23332.

*** Cikoneng (Anyer, Fourth Point) (2)

1885 (station established 1855). Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 58 m (190 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo appears at the top of this page. A closeup, a second closeup, and a more distant view are available. This is the very few Indonesian lighthouses frequently visited by tourists. The original lighthouse was destroyed by tsunami waves triggered by the catastrophic explosion of the Krakatoa volcano on August 27, 1883; these waves were at least 30 m (100 ft) high. Located on Tanjung Cikoneng near Anyer on the east shore of Sunda Strait, overlooking Krakatoa. Site open, tower open for climbing. ARLHS IDO-081; Admiralty K1050; NGA 23336.

North Java Lighthouses

Edam (Damar Besar) 1881. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 50 m (164 ft) 16(?)-sided cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A portfolio of photos is available, also a 2007 photo and another photo. Staffed by a crew of five. This lighthouse is located on Pulau Damar Besar in the center of the entrance to the bay of Jakarta. Accessible only by boat, but apparently boats can be chartered in Jakarta. ARLHS IDO-061; Admiralty K1062; NGA 23404. Jakarta (Batavia) West Mole 1862. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) round stone tower, painted white. KITLV has a historic photo, and the Royal Tropical Museum has a closeup historic photo (search for "vuurtoren"). This lighthouse is now immediately adjacent to the Jakarta Fish Port, which is under development by Japanese investors. As part of the redevelopment, the lighthouse is to be refurbished; a sketch of the intended results appears at right. We do not know the status of this planned restoration. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-063; Admiralty K1068.5; NGA 23416. Pulau Biawak (Pulau Rakit, Boompjeseiland) Date unknown (station established 1872). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 15 s. 50 m (164 ft) cast iron skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder. Although listed by NGA as black and white, the lighthouse is now painted all white. A photo is available, also a small photo (2/3 the way down the page). Located on a small island about 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Kandanghaur in the Java Sea. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-074; Admiralty K1084; NGA 23460. * Cirebon (2) Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 30 m (98 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white. A photo is available. Located on the mole on the east side of inner harbor at Cirebon; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-123; Admiralty K1092; NGA 23476.

Jakarta West Mole Light; Jakarta Fish Port image

* Tegal (2?)

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white light, 5 s on, 5 s off. 30 m (98 ft) white metal skeletal tower. No photo available, leaving us unsure whether this is the original Dutch lighthouse, seen in a postcard view contributed by Michel Forand to Lighthouse Explorer. Located at the harbor of Tegal, a minor port of the north Java coast. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-263; Admiralty K1105; NGA 23504.

* Pekalongan (2)

Date unknown (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available. This tower replaced a skeletal tower. Located on the waterfront at Pekalongan, about 70 km (45 mi) west of Semarang. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-186; Admiralty K1122; NGA 23532.

* Semarang (Tanjung Emmas) 1883. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 30 m (98 ft) 12-sided cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A good closeup photo and a small photo are available, and KITLV has a historic photo. Located on a promontory on the east side of the harbor of Semarang, a major port of central north Java. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-040; Admiralty K1132; NGA 23560. Jepara (Djapara) Date unknown (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) white concrete tower. No photo available. Jepara is a small port on Java's northern peninsula, about 55 km (35 mi) north of Semarang. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-356; Admiralty K1139; NGA 23580. * Sembilangan (Range Rear) (2) 1882. Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft: two white flashes every 10 s. 50 m (164 ft) 12(?)-sided cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Indomarinav's photo is at right. Located on Semibilangan island off the extreme western tip of Madura, this is both a landfall light and the rear light of a range guiding ships into the channel between Madura and Java to approach the port of Surabaya. Google has a good satellite view. Accessible by road from Bangkalan, Madura. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS IDO-079; Admiralty K1158.2; NGA 23624. Pulau Sapudi (Sapoedi) 1887. Active; focal plane 59 m (194 ft); white flash every 5 s. 58 m (190 ft) octagonal skeletal cast iron tower with lantern, gallery, enclosed watch room, and central cylinder. Entire lighthouse painted white. No photo available. Located at the west point of Sapudi, an island lying to the east of Madura. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-091; Admiralty K1240; NGA 23744.

Sembilangan Light; Indomarinav photo

South Java Lighthouses
* Pantai Dan (Pandansari, Kali Opak)

Date unknown (apparently since 1998). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 38 m (125 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The tower appears to be unpainted white concrete. Six keeper's houses and other buildings. Additional photos are available, and a Jogjakarta tourist site has a page for the lighthouse. Located on the south coast of Java about 30 km (19 mi) south of Jogjakarta. Google has a satellite view. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1264.5; NGA 23821.9.

Klirong

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white flash every 5 s. Approx. 35 m (115 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located near the coast about 20 km (13 mi) south of Kebumen. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1276.2; NGA 23822.4.

Cimiring (Cilacap, Tjilatjap, Noesa Kambangan)

1870. Active; focal plane 178 m (584 ft); white flash every 5.5 s. 32 m (105 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. KITLV has a historic photo. and Michel Forand contributed a postcard view to Lighthouse Explorer. Located at the east end of the island of Kambangan, marking the entrance to the port of Cilacap on Java's south coast. Google has a satellite view. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-060; Admiralty K1268; NGA 23824.

Kalimantan (Borneo) Lighthouses
Pulau Miang Besar

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); white flash every 6 s. "White lighthouse," according to NGA. No photo available. This light marks the entrance to the harbor of Sangkulirang on the east coast of Borneo. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-223; Admiralty K2024.65; NGA 24792.5.

Tanjung Tokong

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 93 m (305 ft); one long white flash every 20 s. "White building," according to NGA. No photo available. This light marks the entrance to the harbor of Balikpapan on the east coast of Borneo. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-362; Admiralty K1459; NGA 24920.

Sulawesi Lighthouses

Pulau Tuguan

1902. Active; focal plane 92 m (302 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) white iron skeletal tower. The modern description is consistent with the Dutch original. No photo available. This lighthouse marks the northern entrance to the Strait of Makassar. Located on an island in the strait about 25 m (15 mi) northwest of Munte in northwestern Sulawesi. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-031; Admiralty K2044; NGA 25120.

Tanjung Losoni

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. "White lighthouse," according to NGA. No photo available. This light stands on a promontory on the central east coast of Sulawesi. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-311; Admiralty K1562.93; NGA 25274.6.

Tanjung Watutembatu

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. "White lighthouse," according to NGA. No photo available. This light stands on a promontory on the island of Wowoni, off the southeast coast of Sulawesi. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-334; Admiralty K1559.9; NGA 25289.

Tanjung Kanolanatumbi

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white flash every 10 s. "White concrete structure," according to NGA. No photo available. This light stands on the eastern point of the island of Buton, off the southeast coast of Sulawesi. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-302; Admiralty K1555.8; NGA 25346.

Pulau Moromaho

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. "Lighthouse," according to NGA. No photo available. Located on a small island well off the southeast coast of Sulawesi. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-225; Admiralty K1558.33; NGA 25351.

Karang Takarewataya (Den Bril)

1887. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white flash every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal cast iron tower with lantern and three galleries, painted with red and white horizontal stripes. No photo available. The only survivor among several lighthouses of this class built in the Dutch Indies. Mapquest locates this lighthouse in the Flores Sea about 120 km (75 mi) south southwest of the southern point of Sulawesi (karang is a reef). Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-009; Admiralty K1524; NGA 25416.

Kudingareng Lompo

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); four white flashes every 27.5 s. 40 m (131 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A small photo is available (near the bottom of the page). Located on a small island about 15 km (9 mi) due west of Ujung Pandang (Makassar). Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-023; Admiralty K1517; NGA 25432.

Pulau Kapoposang (2?)

1957 (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 5 s. 33 m (108 ft) skeletal tower, painted red. Indomarinav describes this as a lighthouse and gives 1957 as the date of establishment, but unfortunately it does not provide a photo. The tower height is the same as that of the historic Dutch lighthouse. Located on an island in the Makassar Strait, about 100 km (60 mi) northwest of Ujung Pandang in southwestern Sulawesi. Accessible only by boat; the island is a popular destination for scuba divers. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-022; Admiralty K1508; NGA 25468.

Lesser Sunda Islands Lighthouses
Benoa Harbor

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 5 s. Approx. 27 m (89 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. M. Yudistira has posted a good photo. Benoa is a port and popular tourist destination on the east side of the Nusa Dua peninsula near the southern tip of Bali. Located near the tip of the narrow peninsula (Tanjung Benoa) on which the city is built. Site apparently open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-174; Admiralty K1294; NGA 25548.

Nusa Penida

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 208 m (682 ft); three white flashes every 21.5 s. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is available (bottom of the page). Nusa Penida is an inhabited island at the southern entrance to the Badung Strait, which separates Bali and Lombok. There is ferry transportation to the island, but we don't know if the lighthouse is accessible. Located on the southern tip of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-174; Admiralty K1294; NGA 25548.

* Ampenan (2)

Date unknown (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); three white flashes, separated by 9 s, every 45 s. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available. The original light, also a skeletal tower, had a focal plane of only 12.5 m (41 ft). Located at Ampenan, a port on the west coast of Lombok. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS IDO-099; Admiralty K1296; NGA 25552.

Pulau Ular Date unknown. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); two quick white flashes every 5 s. Approx. 13 m (43 ft) round masonry tower, painted with black, white and red horizontal bands. A photo is available. Located on a small island off the northwestern coast of Sumbawa, marking the northern entrance to the strait between Sumbawa and Lombok. Site and tower closed. ARLHS IDO-358; Admiralty K1305; NGA 25574. Tanjung Pakijongan Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 6 s. Approx. 32 m (105 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Robert Hurvitz took the photo at right of this lovely lighthouse, which NGA describes only as a "white beacon." Located at the northernmost point of Sumbawa. Accessible only by boat, most likely. Site and tower closed. ARLHS IDO-361; Admiralty K1308.4; NGA 25602. Tanjung Margeta Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. Approx. 37 m (121 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Located on the southwestern point of Alor, an island north of Timor. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-360; Admiralty K1346; NGA 25714.

Tanjung Pakijongan Light, Sumbawa photo copyright Rob Hurvitz; used by permission

Kupang (Koepang) (2)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available. The original Dutch lighthouse had a focal plane height of 19 m (62 ft). Located within the enclosure of Fort Concordia in Kupang, near the southwestern tip of Timor. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-140; Admiralty K1362; NGA 25688.

Pulau Liran (Wetar Strait) (2)

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); four white flashes every 40 s. NGA provides no description of the current light. The Royal Tropical Musuem has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, a hexagonal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery (search for "vuurtoren"). This lighthouse is important in guiding ships toward the island of Timor. A tourist site mentions the lighthouse. Located at the southern tip of Liran, a small island off the southwestern tip of the much larger island of Wetar, about 75 km (45 mi) north northeast of Dili, Timor Leste. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-357; Admiralty K1372; NGA 25716.

Meatiy Miarang (Sermata Islands)

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); three white flashes every 29 s. 23 m (75 ft) "white iron framework structure," according to NGA. It's not clear if this is the original lighthouse, which was listed as a skeletal tower with a focal plane of 23 m (75 ft). Located on a small island about 120 km (75 mi) due east of the eastern tip of Timor. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-166; Admiralty K1376; NGA 25720.

Seba (Sawu Island)

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 6 s. Square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available. Sawu is a remote island in the Timor Sea off the Top End of Australia. The island is inhabited and has become a popular destination for adventure tourism. Located on the southwestern tip of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-359; Admiralty K1352; NGA 25676.

Pulau Sunggi (Manipa Island)

1904. Active; focal plane 94 m (308 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 21 m (69 ft) white iron skeletal tower. The modern description is consistent with the Dutch original. No photo available. This lighthouse stands on a small island in the passage between Ceram and Buru, on the northern approaches to Ambon. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-249; Admiralty K1600; NGA 25752.

West New Guinea Lighthouse
* Oinake

Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane 200 m (656 ft); two white flashes every 12 s. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with lantern and gallery. A photo is available. This lighthouse marks Indonesia's border with Papua New Guinea, about 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Watung, P.N.G., on the north coast of New Guinea. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K3399.8; NGA 26129.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted April 13, 2006. Checked and revised October 26, 2007. Lighthouses: 60. Site copyright 2007 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.