Lighthouses of Sakhalin

Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands together form an oblast (province) of the Russian Federation. Sakhalin, located just off Russia's east coast, is the country's largest island, stretching 950 km (almost 600 mi) from north to south and separating the Sea of Japan to the southwest from the Sea of Okhotsk to the northeast. Both Japan and Russia became interested in annexing these territories during the mid 1800s. In 1875, a treaty assigned Sakhalin to Russia and the Kurils to Japan, and within a few years Russia began building lighthouses in Sakhalin. In 1905, at the end of the Russo-Japanese War, Russia was obliged to cede the southern half of Sakhalin to Japan, the border being fixed at 50° north latitude. Russia took control of all of the island in 1945, near the end of World War II. Japan renounced its former claims to Sakhalin in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco. Special thanks to Klaus Huelse, who found most of the photo links on this page. Curly braces {} enclose the former Japanese names of some of the lighthouses. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112. What's Hot:

Korsakov Light photo copyright Sijas ten Wolde; used by permission

General Sources
Sakhalin Lighthouses

A valuable website, with historical information and photos; posted by Igor Samarin.

Port State Control of Russia Far East

Port administration for Russia's Pacific coast ports.

South Coast (Aniva Gulf and La Pérouse Strait) Lighthouses

Aniva (Mys Aniva) {Naka Shiretoko Saki} 1939. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); two white flashes every 24 s. 31 m (102 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A photo appears at right, and Samarin has a historic photo. The lighthouse is battered by the weather and much in need of restoration. This light marks the very sharp cape at the southeastern corner of Sakhalin, on the north side of the eastern entrance to La Pérouse Strait. The lighthouse incorporates 7 floors of crew quarters; its construction at this isolated and dangerous spot was a significant engineering accomplishment of Japanese engineering. Located on a small islet just off the point of the cape. Accessible only by boat in very dangerous seas. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ASR-012; Admiralty F7842; NGA 0168. Korsakov (Mys Tomari-Aniva) {Odomari} Date unknown (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 112 m (367 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Sijas ten Wolde has contributed the photo at the top of the page, a distant view is available, and Google has a good satellite view. Korsakov is a port at the northern end of the Aniva Gulf, which is enclosed by the two capes of Aniva and Kriljon. Located on a promontory about 3 km (2 mi) south of the city. Accessible by road. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-033; Admiralty F7830; NGA 0164. Kamen Opasnosti {Nijo Gan, Rock of Danger} 1913. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Samarin has a historic photo. This light marks an exceptionally dangerous rock in the middle of La Pérouse Strait, between Sakhalin and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The lighthouse was built by the Japanese authorities after efforts to mark the rock with buoys were defeated by the strong currents in the area. Located in La Pérouse Strait about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Mys (Cape) Kriljon, the southernmost tip of Sakhalin. Accessible only by boat in very dangerous seas. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ASR-029; Admiralty F7804; NGA 0004. Kriljon (Mys Kriljon) (2) {Notoro Misaki} 1896 (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); flash every 10 s, alternately red and white. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal red brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the front of a 1-story brick keeper's house. Fog horn (one short and one long blast every 20 s). Samarin has a historic photo and also a more recent panoramic view of the cape; another historic photo is available (at the bottom of the page). The original lighthouse was an insubstantial wood tower that did not stand up to harsh conditions. Located at the point of Mys (Cape) Kriljon, the southernmost tip of Sakhalin and the north side of La Pérouse Strait. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-036; Admiralty F7802; NGA 0008.

Aniva Light photo copyright Igor Samarin permission requested

Southwest Coast (Sea of Japan) Lighthouses
Kuznetsova (Mys Kuznetsova) {Sono Misaki}

1915. Active (?); focal plane 79 m (259 ft); white flash every 8 s. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. The station appeared to be abandoned in a 2005 photo (no longer online). Samarin also has a photo of the cape in which the top of the lighthouse is visible; he describes this station as a sibling of the Ostrov Moneron Light. Located on the cape, west of the town of Kriljon, about 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Mys Kriljon. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-041; Admiralty F7800; NGA 0012.

Moneron (Ostrov Moneron)

1914. Active; focal plane 114 m (374 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a crew quarters building. Tower painted black with one white horizontal band. Samarin has a photo. Located on an island about 60 km (37.5 mi) west northwest of the town of Kriljon, in the entrance to the Gulf of Tatar. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-047; Admiralty F7794; NGA 0016.

* Lopatino (Mys Lopatino) {Kenushi Misaki}

1919. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a crew quarters building. Samarin has a photo. Located just off the coastal highway, on a promontory about 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Nevelsk. Site presumably open, tower closed. ARLHS ASR-042; Admiralty F7788; NGA 0036.

* Kholmsk {Maoka} Date unknown (Japanese). Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); three white flashes every 14.1 s. 28 m (92 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Sijas ten Wolde's photo is at right, and Google has a good satellite view. Located in an industrial area on a promontory on the south side of the harbor of Kholmsk. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ASR-032; Admiralty F7746; NGA 0056. Kholmsk Entrance Range Rear Date unknown. Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); continuous red light. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal stone tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. No photo available. Located about 1.5 km (1 mi) north of the Kholmsk lighthouse. Site status unknown. Admiralty F7752.1; NGA 0064. * Kholmsk North Breakwater Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round 2-stage concrete tower, the lower stage cylindrical and the upper stage tapered to a narrow top, mounted on a square stone pier. Entire lighthouse painted red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Kholmsk. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F7748; NGA 0076. Slepikovsky (Mys Slepikovsky) {Konotoro Misaki} Late 1930s. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); one long (1.5 s) white flash every 10 s. 28 m (92 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Samarin has a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Sibling of Kholmsk Light. Located on a promontory about 35 km (22 mi) north of Kholmsk. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-065; Admiralty F7738; NGA 0100.

Kholmsk Light photo copyright Sijas ten Wolde; used by permission

Lamanon (Mys Lamanon) {Chirai Misaki}

1940. Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); white flash every 20 s. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A good photo is available, and Samarin has a lovely distant view. Sibling of Kholmsk Light. This lighthouse marks a very prominent cape on the west coast of Sakhalin. Located on a promontory about 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Ulegorsk. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-023; Admiralty F7716; NGA 0104.

Uglegorsk Range Front

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal stone tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a hillside about 600 m (0.4 mi) south southeast of the harbor of Uglegorsk. Accessible by road. Site status unknown, but perhaps open. Admiralty F7713; NGA 0108.

Uglegorsk Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 68 m (223 ft); continuous red light. 17 m (56 ft) octagonal stone tower, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a hillside 256 m (840 ft) south southeast of the front light. Accessible by road. Site status unknown, but perhaps open. Admiralty F7713.1; NGA 0112.

Uglegorsk {Esutoru}

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 14 m (46 ft) white octagonal tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a white building. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on atop a steep bluff at Uglegorsk. Accessible by road. Site status unknown, but perhaps open. Admiralty F7711.5; NGA 0132.

Gavrilova (Mys Gavrilova)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); red light occulting once every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with one red horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 6 km (4 mi) north of Uglegorsk. ARLHS ASR-027; Admiralty F7711; NGA 0140.

Nizmenny (Mys Nizmenny)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal masonry tower, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Note: there is another Mys Nizmenny lighthouse on the Russian mainland, on the west side of the Sea of Japan. Located on a promontory about 11 km (7 mi) north of Uglegorsk. ARLHS ASR-049; Admiralty F7708; NGA 0160.

Boshnyakovo

Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; one long red flash every 6 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse painted white with red horizontal bands. A small photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a steep bluff on the south side of the small seaport of Boshnyakovo. Site status unknown. Admiralty F7707; NGA 0161.

Mys Korsakova

Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; white flash every 6 s. Cylindrical tower, unknown height, with lantern and gallery. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Mys Korsakova is really a small island connected to the mainland of Sakhalin by a narrow isthmus. Located on the highest point of this peninsula, about 45 km (28 mi) north of Boshnyakovo. Site status unknown. Admiralty F7706; NGA 0162.

* Zhonkier (Mys Zhonkier) (2)

1897 (station established 1886). Active; focal plane 79 m (259 ft); one long white flash every 33 s. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the seaward end of a 1-story stone keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white; the lantern dome is a metallic green. An excellent closeup shows a 1° Fresnel lens in use. Samarin has historic photos of the original wood lighthouse and of the current lighthouse, ARLHS also has a photo, Klaus Huelse has a postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This historic lighthouse guided ships to the Alexandrovsky Station, now the town of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. The town, located about 100 km (60 mi) north of the 1905 line dividing Russian and Japanese territory, was Russia's main base in Sakhalin in the 1930s and during World War II. Located on a promontory about 3 km (2 mi) southwest of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ASR-078; Admiralty F7700; NGA 15744.

North and Northeast Coast (Sea of Okhotsk) Lighthouses

Marii (Mys Marii, Cape Mary) (2) 1935 (station established about 1930). Active; focal plane unknown; white flash every 6 s. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square stone base. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. An excellent photo shows the lighthouse and the ruins of a keeper's house, another good photo of the tower is available, and Google has a wintry satellite view. Cape Mary on the west and Cape Elizabeth to the east are the two points of land at the northern end of Sakhalin. The lighthouses on the two capes were built as part of plan launched in 1929 to strengthen navigation and defense in northern Sakhalin. Located at the point of the cape. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F7679; NGA 15587. Yelizavety (Mys Yelizavety, Cape Elizabeth) 1932. Active; focal plane 73 m (240 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) square tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story brick keeper's house. A photo is available, showing the house to be in very poor condition. Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks the northernmost tip of Sakhalin. Located at the point of the cape. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-076; Admiralty F7902; NGA 15588. Piltun 1961. Active; focal plane about 38 m (125 ft); white light occulting once every 7.5 s. 35 m (115 ft) round cylindrical cast iron or steel tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. This is a staffed station, with four wood keeper's houses, two in use by keepers and one available for visiting scientists. Bridget Watts, who lived at the station with a marine biological research party in 2002, has contributed the photo at right. Another photo is available (2/3 of the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. According to Watts, the lighthouse was damaged by an earthquake sometime before 2002. The photos show that it is rusted and in need of major maintenance. Located on the west side of the Piltun lagoon about 1.4 km (7/8 mi) from the Sea of Okhotsk on the remote northeastern coast of Sakhalin about 185 km (115 mi) south of Cape Elizabeth. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower restricted. Admiralty F7902.5; NGA 0195.

Piltun Light, 2002 photo copyright Bridget Watts; used by permission

Zaliv Chayvo

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white flash every 6 s. 24 m (79 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern painted red or black. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on the north side of the entrance to a lagoon (Chayvo Bay) about 65 km (40 mi) southwest of the Piltun lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty F7920; NGA 0195.5.

Southeast Coast (Sea of Okhotsk) Lighthouses

Terpeniya (Mys Terpeniya) {Kita Shiretoko Misaki} 1953. Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); white light, 3 s on, 4.5 s off. 41 m (135 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on an octagonal pyramidal concrete base. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands; base is white. Samarin has a photo. Cape Terpeniya is at the end of a long, finger-like peninsula projecting southeastward from the central east coast of Sakhalin; it is a crucial landmark for navigation in the Sea of Okhotsk. Located at the tip of the peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-068; Admiralty F7884; NGA 0196. * Poronaisk {Sisuka, Shikuka} Date unknown (1950s?). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 32 m (105 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Samarin's photo of the lighthouse in silhouette appears at right. Located on the waterfront of Poronaisk, a fishing port on the bay of Terpeniya. Site probably open, tower closed. ARLHS ASR-057; Admiralty F7875; NGA 0180. Goryansky (Mys Goryansky) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 121 m (397 ft); white flash every 3 s. 17 m (56 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available. Located on a promontory about 40 km (25 mi) south of Poronaisk. Site status unknown. ARLHS ASR-028; Admiralty F7870; NGA 0174.

Poronaisk Light; photo copyright Igor Samarin permission requested

Tonin (Mys Svybodnyy)

1935. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A recent closeup photo is available; Samarin has a historic photo and a more recent photo of the lighthouse in silhouette. Crumbling concrete is a sign that the lighthouse is in poor condition. Located on a promontory about 80 km (50 mi) east of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the regional capital. Site status unknown. Admiralty F7848; NGA 0172.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted May 8, 2006. Checked and revised April 19, 2008. Lighthouses: 28. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.