YBDXC yb land dx club: Lighthouses of Indonesia: Nusa Tenggara (Lesser Sunda Islands)

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/idri.htm

Lighthouses of Indonesia: Nusa Tenggara (Lesser Sunda Islands)

Indonesia has been independent since 1945, 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.
The arc of the Sunda Islands begins in the west with the major islands of Sumatra and Java, and continues eastward through a chain of smaller islands known in English as the Lesser Sunda Islands and in Indonesian as the Nusa Tenggara ("Southeastern Islands"). This page includes lighthouses of the Lesser Sunda Islands except for Bali, including Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, and Timor as well as associated smaller islands.
The Indonesian word for a lighthouse is mercusuar or (in two words) mercu suar. The phrase menara suar, which includes the Arabic word menara, is sometimes used instead. Tanjung and ujung are words for capes, gili or pulau is an island, selat is a strait,karang is a reef, and teluk is a harbor.
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.

General Sources
KITLV Beeldbank: Historic photos from the collection of the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies.

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

West Nusa Tenggara Province Lighthouses

Western Lombok Lighthouses
Note: Lombok is a roughly circular island, with a tail extending to the southwest. On the west it is separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait, and on the east it is separated from Sumbawa by the narrow Alas Strait.
Gili Poh (Pulau Gilipoh): Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two quick white flashes every 5 s. Approx. 14 m (43 ft) skeletal tower or post light with gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the north side of a small island about 15 km (9 mi) west of Lembar. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty K1297.6; NGA 25571.
Lembar Harbor: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 64 m (210 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower covered with white panels. A distant view is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a steep promontory on the west side of the entrance to Lembar, near the southwestern corner of Lombok. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1298; NGA 25560.
* Ampenan (2): Date unknown (station established 1897). 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. Best Soebianto has a photo. 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.
Western Sumbawa Lighthouses
Note: Sumbawa is about 240 km (150 mi) long and very mountainous in terrain and irregular in shape. It is separated from Lombok to the west by the Alas Strait. Teluk Saleh, a large embayment on the north coast, nearly cuts the island in half. On the east, the Sape Strait separates Sumbawa from the smaller island of Komodo (famous for its giant lizards) and the much larger island of Flores.
Tanjung Maloh: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 126 m (413 ft); white flash every 7 s. Pyramidal skeletal tower, probably at least 25 m (82 ft) tall. Lighthouse painted white. Several station buildings. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a high promontory near the southwestern tip of Sumbawa, marking the southern entrance to the Alas Strait. Site status unknown; there is an unpaved road to the station. Admiralty K1299.56; NGA 25572.7.
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, the lighthouse is seen in the left background of a photo of Tanjung Tano (next entry), and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a small island off the northwestern coast of Sumbawa, marking the northern entrance to the Alas Strait. Site and tower closed. ARLHS IDO-358; Admiralty K1305; NGA 25574.
Tanjung Tano: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 3 s. 13 m (43 ft) round tower rising from a square 1-story equipment room. Tower painted green, equipment room white. A photo and a secondphoto are available, there's a 2009 distant view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory on the northwestern coast of Sumbawa. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K1306; NGA 25574.4.
Gosong Sakunci: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) "beacon," according to NGA. No photo available. Located on a reef about 65 km (40 mi) north of Utan. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty K1303; NGA 25580.
Pulau Medang: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 29 m (95 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Pulau Medang is an island off the north coast of Lombok, about 40 km (25 mi) north of the port of Sumbawa Besar. Located on the north coast of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-222; Admiralty K1304; NGA 25584.
Eastern Sumbawa Lighthouses
Tanjung Pakijongan: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 6 s. Approx. 32 m (105 ft) "white beacon," according to NGA. No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the area. Located at the northernmost point of Sumbawa and at the foot of Mount Tambora, a giant and dangerous volcano that exploded in 1815 in the largest volcanic eruption of modern history. Accessible only by boat, most likely. Site and tower closed. ARLHS IDO-361; Admiralty K1308.4; NGA 25602.
Pulau Kelapa Range Rear: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 149 m (489 ft); white flash every 11 s. 20 m (66 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Several station buildings. No photo available; Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Pulau Kelapa is an island in the Sape Strait off the southwestern tip of Sumbawa; the range guides vessels southbound through the strait. Located near the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1312.1; NGA 25624.

East Nusa Tenggara Province Lighthouses

Sumba Lighthouses
Note: Sumba is a rugged island about 240 km (150 mi) long, lying southeast of Sumbawa and southwest of Flores. The Sumba Strait separates Sumba from Flores.
* Waikelo: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 2 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront at Waikelo, a new port on the northwest coast of Sumba. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K1318.7; NGA 25653.1.
Tanjung Sasar: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); three white flashes every 22 s. NGA does not describe this light; Google's satellite view of the station reveals a skeletal tower or perhaps a post light with gallery. No photo available. Located at the northern tip of the island. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1318; NGA 25653.
Tanjung Umdu: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. NGA does not describe this light; Google's satellite view of the station shows several buildings and what appears to be a masonry tower. No photo available. Located on the eastern tip of Sumba. Probably accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1317; NGA 25653.5.
Flores Lighthouses
Note: Flores is a long and narrow island, about 360 km (225 mi) long. Komodo and Sumbawa lie to the west across the Sape Strait. To the east, the Lesser Sunda chain continues with a loose group of smaller islands including Lomblen, Pantar, and Alor.
Pulau Sabolan Kecil: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white flash every 1.5 s. "White beacon," according to NGA. The site, on a very small island, would seem to require a tower at least 20 m (66 ft) in height. No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the island. Located on an islet about 15 km (9 mi) northwest of Labuhanbajo, the principal port at the west end of Flores. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1329; NGA 25628.5.
Toro Besi (Tanjung Besi): Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 3 s. "White beacon," according to NGA. No photo available, but a substantial lighthouse would be expected at this location. Google has a distantsatellite view. Located on the northernmost point of Flores, about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Reo. Site status unknown. NGA 25629.
Lembata Lighthouses
Note: Lembata (formerly Lomblen) lies just to the east of Flores, from which it is separated by the very narrow Flores Strait.
Kawula: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); white flash every 4 s. "White beacon," according to NGA. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory on the north coast of Lembata near Lebewala. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1343; NGA 25651.
Pulau Lapan: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 34 m (111 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a partially clouded satellite view. Located on an island in the northern entrance to the strait between Lembata and Pantar. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1343.5; NGA 25651.5.
Tanjung Atadei: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); white flash every 7 s. 30 m (98 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available. Located on a promontory on the southeast coast of Lembata. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1342.8.
Alor Lighthouses
Note: Alor is located north of Timor Leste, from which it is separated by the Ombai Strait.
Tanjung Babi: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white flash every 5 s. Described by NGA only as a "white beacon"; Google's satellite view appears to show a masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Located on a prominent cape on the eastern north coast of Alor. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1347.5; NGA 25711.
Tanjung Manomani: 2004. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); white flash every 4.5 s. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on the northeastern tip of Alor. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1347.3.
Tanjung Laisumbu: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 m (97 ft); two white flashes every 28 s. Tall skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Keeper's house and other station buildings. No photo available, but Google has a goodsatellite view. This lighthouse guides vessels through the Ombai Strait separating Alor from Timor Leste. Located at the southeastern tip of Alor. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1347; NGA 25710.
Tanjung Koyiek: 2004. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); two white flashes every 16 s. 30 m (98 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on a promontory on the central south coast of Alor. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1346.5.
Tanjung Margeta: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. Approx. 37 m (121 ft) square tapered skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a goodsatellite view. Located on the southwestern point of Alor. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-360; Admiralty K1346; NGA 25714.
Sawu (Savu) Lighthouses
Sawu (Savu) is an island at the northern edge of the Timor Sea, halfway between Sumba and Timor. The island has a population of about 30,000 and has become a popular destination for adventure tourism.
Seba: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 6 s. 40 m (131 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, and Google has only a very fuzzy satellite viewof the area. Located on the northern side of the island near Kota Boddo. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-359; Admiralty K1352; NGA 25676.
Tanjung Liegeta: 2004. Active; focal plane 115 m (377 ft); white flash every 7 s. 40 m (131 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available. Located on a promontory on the east coast of Sawu. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1352.5.
Roti (Rote) Lighthouses
Note: Roti (Rote) is Indonesia's southernmost major island. Located off the southwestern tip of Timor, the island is about 80 km (50 mi) long and has a population of about 100,000.
Pulau Dana (Pulau Ndana): 2004. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 6 s. 30 m (98 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located off the southern tip of Roti, the uninhabited Pulau Dana is Indonesia's southernmost island. Located on the south side of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1356.8.
Pulau Dao Besar: 2004. Active; focal plane 108 m (354 ft); white flash every 10 s. 40 m (131 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Several keeper's houses and other station buildings. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on on an island off the western end of Roti. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1356.2.
Pulau Roti (Pulau Rote, Baa): Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two long white flashes every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) iron skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available, and the tower has not been found in Google's satellite view. Located in the port of Baa on the north side of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-243; Admiralty K1356; NGA 25680.
West Timor Lighthouses (see also Timor Leste)
Note: Timor is located at the southeastern edge of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Unlike the others, it is oriented northeast-southwest. Historically, the eastern 60% of the island was the Portuguese colony of East Timor, with the rest of the island being included in the Dutch East Indies. Indonesian forces occupied East Timor in 1975, when the Portuguese withdrew, but this led to an extended struggle ending in 2002 with the independence of East Timor as Timor Leste.
Tanjung Oisina: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 16 m (52 ft) tower with gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on the southwestern tip of Timor. Site status unknown. Admiralty K1365.5; NGA 25682.
Pulau Batek (Fatu Sinai) (2?): Date unknown. Active; focal plane 100 m (328 ft); white flash every 6 s. Square skeletal tower, height unknown, painted white. Keeper's quarters and other station buildings. A distant view is available, and Google has a good satellite view. Another view of the island shows what might be an earlier lighthouse. Indonesia and Timor Leste have an ongoing dispute over ownership of this island, which lies near the border between West Timor and the Timor Leste enclave of Oecussi. Indonesian forces occupied the island in 2004. The island is called Fatu Sinai in Timor Leste. Located in the Savu Sea about 10 km (6 mi) offshore from the northernmost point of West Timor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown, probably closed (Indonesian military post). Admiralty K1365.6.
* Wini: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Wini is a town on the north coast of Timor a short distance east of the Timor Leste enclave of Oecussi. Located near the piers in Wini. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K1365.75.
Tanjung Batu Putih: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 3.5 s. 16 m (52 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available. Located on a promontory facing the Ombai Strait about 20 km (12.5 mi) west of Atapupu. Admiralty K1365.8.