| 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 |
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![]() Brueh Light, February 1997 photo copyright Jürgen Klinksiek used by permission |
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![]() Takong Kecil Light, July 1999 photo copyright Jürgen Klinksiek; used by permission |
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![]() Ujung Batumandi Light U.S. NGA photo |
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![]() Jakarta West Mole Light; Jakarta Fish Port image |
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![]() Sembilangan Light; Indomarinav photo |
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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.