Lighthouses of Norway: Aust-Agder (Arendal Area)

Norway is one of the world's most maritime nations. The country is long and narrow, with drowned valleys called fjords that bring the sea far inland in most regions. The mainland coast is estimated to be 2650 km (1650 mi) long, and when all the islands and minor indentations are counted the total coastline approaches an astonishing 60,000 km (37,500 mi), long enough the go around the world one and a half times. With such a lengthy and rocky shore, it's not surprising that Norway has a large number of lighthouses. This page lists lighthouses of the county of Aust-Agder, which faces south on the Skaggerak, the broad sound leading from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. Arendal is the county seat and largest port.

Although it has always been considered a separate realm, Norway has only been independent since 1905; it was ruled by the Danish king until 1814 and then by the Swedish king until the Norwegian parliament arranged a peaceful separation of the two kingdoms.

In Norway a lighthouse is simply called a fyr (fire). Aids to navigation are maintained by the Kystverket (Coast Directorate), an agency of the Fiskeri og Kystdepartementet (Fisheries and Coast Department).

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. NF numbers are from the Norsk Fyrliste. Admiralty numbers are from volume B of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 115.

General Sources
Norwegian Lighthouse Association (Norsk Fyrhistorisk Forening)
With pages in both Norwegian and English, the Association's site provides photos and information on selected lighthouses. There is a page for the lighthouses of Aust-Agder.
Sjømerker i Aust-Agder
Information and photos for historic beacons, posted on the wiki site maintained by the Norwegian Culture Ministry.
Sjømerkene, veivisere og kulturminner
Photos and notes on Aust-Agder lights by Roald Hanssen, published on the Agderkultur.no cultural web site supported by Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder counties.
Online List of Lights - Norway
Photos by various photographers, posted by Alexander Trabas. Many of these photos were taken by Ronald Wöhrn.
Lighthouses in Aust-Agder
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Norwegische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Liste over Norske Fyr
From Norwegian Wikipedia, a handy list of Norwegian light stations with their dates of establishment.

Store Torungen Light
Store Torungen Light, Arendal, May 2012
Flickr Creative Commons photo by the Arendal Tourist Office

Risør Lighthouses

Grønholmskjær (Grønnholmskjær)
1998. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal lantern with gallery. mounted on four straight piles. Lantern painted white with a red roof; the piles are black. B. Rehoff Larsen has a photo, and Hanssen has a closeup photo (#6 on the page), but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the area. Located on a rocky islet about 6.5 km (4 mi) northeast of Risør. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0543; Admiralty B2720; NGA 1056.
** Stangholmen (1)
1855. Inactive since 1959. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical tower with a sharply pyramidal roof and a spire, attached to the front of a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Building painted white; the tower roof is a dark maroon metallic. Eivind Lindseth's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, another good photo is available, the Lighthouse Association has a page for the station, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1959 when its longtime keeper retired. The current light was installed in front of the building. The old lighthouse was later transferred to Risør Kommune, which leases it as a restaurant. In addition, a music festival is held at the lighthouse in late July. Located on a small island about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) east of Risør. Accessible only by boat. Site open; restaurant open late June through early August (May 1 through September 1 for group reservations). Owner: Risør Kommune. Site manager: Stangholmen Fyr. ARLHS NOR-223.
Stangholmen (2)
1959 (station established 1855). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. Eivind Lindseth's photo is at right, Egen Vurdering also has a fine closeup, and a 2009 photo is available. Located in front of the historic lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-318; NF-0545; Admiralty B2722; NGA 1068.
Bjørnskjær
1929. Active; focal plane 8.5 m (28 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting three times every 10 s. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the area. Located on a skerry in the entrance to Risør, about 500 m (0.3 mi) west of Stangholmen Fyr. Accessible only by boat. Site open, and anyone can climb to the gallery. NF-0555; Admiralty B2726; NGA 1072.
Stangholmen Light
Stangholmen Lights, Risør, July 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Eivind Lindseth

Tvedestrand Lighthouses

Terneskjær
1920. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); red or green light depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 6 m (20 ft) lantern mounted on a platform supported by four piles. Google has a very distant satellite view. Lantern painted white with a red roof, piles black. Located on a skerry in the entrance to the Lyngørfjord, about 500 m (0.3 mi) north of Lyngør Fyr. Accessible only by boat. NF-0565; Admiralty B2740; NGA 1092.
Lyngør
1879. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); continuous white light with a brighter flash once every 60 s. 17 m (56 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached schoolhouse-style to the front of a 2-1/2 story keeper's house. Original 3rd order Fresnel lens with the original rotating mechanism. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. The station also includes an engine house, two oilhouses, and a boathouse. An unusually complete and well preserved light station. A photo by the Arendal Tourist Office appears at right, June Edvenson has a good photo, Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, the Lighthouse Association has a page for the lighthouse, Huelse has an interesting aerial postcard view, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located on the southern tip of Kjeholmen, at the entrance to the Lyngørfjord, about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Risør. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NOR-292; NF-0566; Admiralty B2738; NGA 1096.
[Sandøy]
1825. Inactive daybeacon. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood skeletal tower, all sides covered by horizontal wood slats. Lower half of the tower painted red, upper half white. Google has only a very fuzzy satellite view of the area. Located on the northeastern point of Sandøy, about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Tvedestrand. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown.
Havefjorden
Date unknown (station established 1918). Active; focal plane 4.5 m (15 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern, painted white with a red roof and mounted on a stone base. Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the western point of Sandøy, marking the east side of the entrance to the Havefjord. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. NF-0576; Admiralty B2762; NGA 1116.
Lyngør Fyr
Lyngør Light, Tvedestrand, June 2010
Flickr Creative Commons photo by the Arendal Tourist Office
* Gråviktangen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting three times every 12 s. 5 m (16 ft) hexagonal lantern, white with a red roof, on a stone foundation. Hanssen has a photo (#59 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory on the east side of the Sandøyfjord, south of Apalen. Site open, tower closed. NF-0585; Admiralty B2776; NGA 1140.

Arendal Lighthouses

Kilsund Area Lighthouses
* Holmesund (Tverdalsøy Ranges Common Front)
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane about 6 m (20 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 6 m (20 ft) hexagonal lantern, white with a red roof, mounted on two concrete piles. Hanssen has a good photo (#4 on the page), there's a more distant view, and Bing has a partially-clouded satellite view. The photo reveals that the listed focal plane of 4 m (13 ft) is too low. The Norsk Fyrliste does not describe this light and the next as forming a range. Located on a promontory at the easternmost point of Tverdalsøy, about 1.5 km (1 mi) east of Kilsund. Site open, tower closed. NF-0582; Admiralty B2760; NGA 1124.
* Kilsund (Tverdalsøy South Range Rear) (3?)
1961 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 7 m (23 ft) lantern with wood gallery mounted on a stone base. Lantern and gallery painted white; lantern roof is red. Hanssen has a good photo (#41 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. In the photo, the focal plane appears to be closer to 15 m (49 ft), as the light is perched atop a large rock. The Norsk Fyrliste no longer describes this light and the Holmesund light (previous entry) as forming a range. Located on a promontory at the southern tip of Tverdalsøy, on the norths ide of the entrance to Kilsund. 834 m (1/2 mi) west southwest of the Holmesund front light. Site open, tower closed. NF-0580; Admiralty B2758; NGA 1120.
Ytre Møkkalasset
1888. Inactive since 1986 but well maintained as a daybeacon and historic site. 17 m (56 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round stone base. Lighthouse painted red with one narrow white horizontal band. Frode Inge Helland's photo is at right, Lighthouse Explorer has a photo by Wöhrn, another closeup is available, the Culture Ministry has a page with a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. The lighthouse was damaged during World War II; repairs after the war included reducing the size of the lantern. The tower remains in service as a daybeacon. Located on a skerry off the coast near the entrance to the Sandøyfjord, southeast of Kilsund. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NOR-284.

Eastern Tromøy Lighthouses
Bonden
1924. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal lantern, white with a red roof, mounted on four straight black piles. Hanssen has a good photo (#1 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. A short rubblestone tower seen in front of this light is a ruined 1845 daybeacon. Located on a rocky islet about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east of the eastern end of the island of Tromøy. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0600; Admiralty B2767; NGA 1138.
Ytre Møkkalasset Fyr
Ytre Møkkalasset Light, Arendal, September 2006
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo
by Frode Inge Helland
* Skinnfelltangen
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 5 m (16 ft) hexagonal lantern with wood gallery, mounted on a stone foundation. Lantern and gallery painted white; lantern roof is red. Hanssen has a good photo (#39 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory on the north side of the entrance to Tromøysund, opposite the Gitmertangen lights. The sound entrance is about 500 m (0.3 mi) wide. Site open, tower closed. NF-0607; Admiralty B2786; NGA 1176.
* Gitmertangen Ranges Common Front
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal lantern, white with a red roof, mounted on four straight black piles. Hanssen has a good photo (#38 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the extreme eastern tip of the island of Tromøy, northeast of Arendal. Site open, tower closed. NF-0605; Admiralty B2782; NGA 1168.
* Gitmertangen South Range Rear
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 26 m (86 ft); white light, intensified on the range line, occulting twice every 6 s. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) square wood hut with a gable roof; the light is shown through a window. The building is painted white, with the gable painted red and a black vertical stripe on the range line. Hanssen has a good photo (#37 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. The Gitmertangen North and South Rear lights have a common front light and are only about 60 m (200 ft) apart. Located near the eastern end of the island of Tromøy, northeast of Arendal. Site open, tower closed. NF-0604; Admiralty B2780; NGA 1164.
* Gitmertangen North Range Rear
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, intensified on the range line, occulting once every 6 s. Hexagonal lantern on a stone foundation. Lantern painted white with a red roof and a black vertical stripe on the range line. Trabas has posted a closeup photo by Wöhrn, and Bing has a distant satellite view. The wood snow screen seen in Hanssen's photo was removed before Wöhrn's photo was taken. Located near the eastern end of the island of Tromøy, northeast of Arendal. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-309; NF-0606; Admiralty B2784; NGA 1172.

Eydehavn Lighthouse
* Frisøy
1894. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 6 m (20 ft) wood-shingled tower with hexagonal lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. Hanssen has a closeup photo (#42 on the page), Wikimedia has a 2010 photo, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the north (mainland) side of the Tremøysund in Eydehavn, about 7 km (4.5 mi) northeast of Arendal. Site open, tower closed. NF-0612; Admiralty B2792; NGA 1184.

Arendal Area Lighthouses
* Merdøy
Date unknown (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 5 m (17 ft) lantern, white with a red roof, mounted on a stone base. Hanssen has a photo (#36 on the page), Wikimedia has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the west end of Merdøy, an island off the entrance to Arendal. A popular day-trip location, the island is accessible by passenger ferry from Arendal. Site open, tower closed. NF-0616; Admiralty B2802; NGA 1200.
* Sandvikodden (Sandvigodden) (1)
1844. Inactive since 1934. 17 m (56 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, joined to the gable end of a 2-1/2 story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dark red. Dag Endresen's photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo by Wöhrn, Geir Røsset has a 2008 photo, the Culture Ministry's page has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. Shipowners contributed the money to build this historic lighthouse. In 1934 the lighthouse was replaced by a second tower built immediately in front of the first; we do not know why this was done. The building is now a private residence. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Galtesund, which leads to Arendal; this is at the eastern corner of the island of Hisøy. Accessible by road. Site and tower closed, although the lighthouse can easily be viewed from nearby. Owner: private. ARLHS NOR-317.
* Sandvikodden (Sandvigodden) (2)
1934 (station established 1844). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) square masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. This lighthouse stands immediately in front of the former lighthouse. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Galtesund, which leads to Arendal. Site and tower closed, although the lighthouse can easily be viewed from nearby. ARLHS NOR-039; NF-0617; Admiralty B2804; NGA 1204.

Sandvikodden Lights
Sandvikodden Lights, Hisøy, June 2003
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Dag Terje Filip Endresen
** Store Torungen (2)
1914 (station established 1844). Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 20 s. 34.5 m (113 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery; 2nd order Fresnel lens. Lighthouse painted white with one narrow red horizontal band. An Arendal Tourist Office photo is the top of this page, a closeup is available, Trabas has an excellent photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has a postcard view showing this lighthouse as well as the original brick tower, which was a twin of the Lille Torungen lighthouse. This handsome lighthouse serves coastal navigation and also marks the entrance to Arendal. There is a support group, Torungens Venner, for the two historic lighthouses. The principal keeper's house is available for overnight accommodations. Located on a small island about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of the mainland and 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Tromøy. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower open daily during the summer season (boat transportation is available locally). Site manager: Aust-Agder Turistforening. ARLHS NOR-040; NF-0614; Admiralty B2798; NGA 1192.
Lille Torungen (1)
1844. Inactive since 1914. 29 m (95 ft) robust round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. Wikipedia's closeup is at right, a 2005 photo and another good photo is available, and Google has a good satellite view. Identical lighthouses were built at Lille and Store Torungen. The Store Torungen tower was demolished after it was replaced in 1914, and this lighthouse would also have been torn down if area residents had not intervened. The lighthouse has been restored in recent years through the efforts of Torungens Venner, a preservation group. The lighthouse can be leased for special events, and the Canal Street Jazz and Blues Festival is held here in mid July. Located on Lille Torungen island about 1.5 km (1 mi) north of Store Torungen Fyr. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Torungenes Venner. ARLHS NOR-157.
Lille Torungen (2)
1914 (station established 1844). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 9 s. 5 m (17 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southeastern point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-314; NF-0615; Admiralty B2800; NGA 1196.

1844 Lille Torungen Light, Arendal,2004
Wikimedia public domain photo by Lunofabo

Grimstad Lighthouses

Grimstad Area Lighthouses
Spærholmen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) round rubblestone tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern painted white with a red roof. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a small island about 1.5 km (1 mi) offshore halfway between Arendal and Grimstad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0630; Admiralty B2816; NGA 1220.
Hesnessund Vestre (Hesnesøy)
Date unknown (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. Lantern and gallery mounted on a stone base. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island off the south coast of the larger island of Valøy, about 3 km (1.8 mi) east of Grimstad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0638; Admiralty B2828; NGA 1240.
Hesnesbregen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three flashes every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) post light on a platform supported by four piles, all mounted on a stone base. Lighthouse painted black, except for a white equipment cabinet on the platform. Trabas has a good photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Grimstad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0639; Admiralty B2830; NGA 1244.
Leiholmsund Østre (Range Rear)
Date unknown (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. Octagonal lantern and round gallery supported by two steel piles. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof painted red. Trabas has a good photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 3 km (1.2 mi) southeast of Grimstad. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0641; Admiralty B2834.1; NGA 1252.
Vessøyhodet (Range Rear)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white or red light occulting once every 6 s. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) square wood (?) tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. The image at right is from Lars Tinner's lovely photo of this scenic site, Olav Agnar Frogner has a snowy closeup, Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promonotory at the entrance to Grimstad harbor. Site status unknown. NF-0654; Admiralty B2846.1; NGA 1276.
Vessøyhodet Fyr
Vessøyhodet Light, Grimstad, July 2005
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Lars Tinner
Rivingen (1)
1886. Inactive since 1925. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical tower with a sharply pyramidal roof and a spire, attached to the front of a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Building painted white; the tower roof is a dark maroon metallic. This lighthouse should not be confused with the much better known Ryvingen lighthouse on Norway's west coast. The active light stands in front of the house, which is now a private summer residence. Roald Hanssen's photo is at right, Vincent Nalpas has an excellent photo of the station, Lighthouse Explorer has a photo by Wöhrn, the Lighthouse Association has a page for the station, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island on the approach to Grimstad, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of the town and 1 km (0.6 mi) off the coast of the mainland. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NOR-186.
Rivingen (2)
1925 (station established 1886). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) square wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn. Located in front of the historic lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NOR-315; NF-0651; Admiralty B2842; NGA 1264.
Risholmen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); white flash every 3 s. 6 m (20 ft) lantern and gallery mounted on a tripod. Lantern painted white with a red roof. A photo is available (3rd row in the album). Located a very short distance west of the Rivingen lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0652; Admiralty B2844; NGA 1268.
Rivingen Fyr
Rivingen lights, Grimstad
Culture Ministry Creative Commons photo by Roald Hanssen

Homborsund Area Lighthouses
Bjorøy
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. Octagonal lantern, painted white with a red roof, mounted on a stone base. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Located on the northeastern point of Bjorøy, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northeast of Homborsund. Site status unknown. NF-0656; Admiralty B2854; NGA 1284.
Homborsund
1879. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); continuous white light with four brighter flashes every 60 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the gable end of a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. 3rd order Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. 1-1/2 story duplex assistant keeper's house, boathouse, and other station buildings preserved. Lars Tinner's photo is at right, the Culture Ministry has a page with Hanssen's photo, Trabas has an excellent photo by Wöhrn, Ane Bele has a good 2004 photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Sibling of the Lyngør lighthouse and built in the same year. Located on Store Gronningen, a small island about 1.5 km (1 mi) southeast of Jortveit. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-124; NF-0665; Admiralty B2858; NGA 1288.
* Havnespynten (Nellevine)
1897. Active; focal plane 14 m (45 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8 m (26 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof painted red. Trabas has a good photo by Wöhrn, and Google has a very distant satellite view. The lighthouse is nicknamed Nellevine for the wife of its first keeper. Located at the end of the peninsula sheltering the east side of the harbor of Jortveit. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-311; NF-0666; Admiralty B2860; NGA 1292.
Sundholmen
Date unknown (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern . Lantern painted white with a red roof, piles painted black. The light is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located on a skerry about 500 m (0.4 mi) northwest of the Havnespynten light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0667; Admiralty B2862; NGA 1296.
Homborsundsleia Range Front
Date unknown (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern mounted on a concrete base. Lantern painted white with a red roof and a black stripe facing the range line. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, but the light is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located at the shoreline on the southwestern edge of Homborsund. Site open, tower closed. NF-0668; Admiralty B2864; NGA 1300.
Homborsund Light
Homborsund Light, Grimstad, July 2005
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Lars Tinner

Lillesand Lighthouses

Lillesand Area Lighthouses
Humlesund
Date unknown (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) lantern mounted on a platform supported by 4 piles. Lantern painted white with a red roof; piles painted black. The small light is not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located on an island on the north side of the entrance to Lillesand. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0673; Admiralty B2870; NGA 1308.
Saltholmen (1)
1882. Inactive since 1952. 6 m (20 ft) octagonal concrete lantern room with a sharply pyramidal roof, attached at one corner of a 1-1/2 story concrete, slate-roofed keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; roof is dark gray slate. The active light stands just in front of the historic lantern room. Hanssen's photo from the Culture Ministry's page is at right, and Trabas has posted an excellent panoramic view by Wöhrn, and Bing has a satellite view. The building is a private summer residence. Located on a small island in the entrance to Lillesand, about 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of the town. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS NOR-198.
Saltholmen (2)
1952 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three flashes every 15 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 6 m (20 ft) skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse (previous entry). Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS NOR-316; NF-0675; Admiralty B2876; NGA 1316.

Brekkestø Area Lighthouses
Reierskjær
1908. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red; the lantern is white with a red roof. Trabas has a photo by Wöhrn, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a rocky reef about 800 m (1/2 mi) offshore near Brekkestø. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-360; NF-0684; Admiralty B2888; NGA 1328.
Saltholmen Light
Saltholmen Light, Lillesand, 1997
Culture Ministry Creative Commons photo by Roald Hanssen
Kvalsholmen (Range Front)
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 5 m (16 ft) lantern, white with a red roof, mounted on a stone base. Hanssen has a photo (#39 on the page), and Google has a satellite view. (The stone daybeacon on the right side of the photo may be the original light tower). Located on a tiny island about 600 m (3/8 mi) south of Ramsøy. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0693; Admiralty B2899.9; NGA 1344.
Natvigtangen (Range Rear)
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light occulting twice every 8 s. Octagonal lantern, painted white with a red roof. This is the common rear range light for the southbound Kvalsholmen Range (previous entry) and for the northbound Svervikodden Range (see below). No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory at the southern entrance to the Isefjærfjorden. Probably accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0697; Admiralty B2900; NGA 1348.
Spaknesskjær
1908. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 6 m (20 ft) round solid rubblestone tower with lantern and gallery; access to the gallery is by an external ladder. The tower is unpainted gray stone; the lantern is white with a red roof. Hanssen has a good photo (#2 on the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rock on the south side of the Ramsøysund east of Nattvik. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0699; Admiralty B2904; NGA 1356.
Svervikodden (Range Front)
Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white light or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. Octagonal lantern, painted white with a red roof and a black vertical stripe on the range line. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 700 m (0.45 mi) southwest of the Natvigtangen rear light. Site open, tower closed. NF-0698; Admiralty B2900.1; NGA 1352.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Telemark (Skien Area) | West: Vest-Agder (Kristiansand Area)

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted May 15, 2006. Lighthouses: 44. Checked and revised March 18, 2013. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.