Lighthouses of Indonesia: Northwestern Papua

The Republic of 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.

Indonesia is divided into 38 provinces (provinsi) and the provinces are subdivided into county units called regencies (kabupaten). The lighthouses on this page are in Indonesian Papua (western New Guinea). In 1828 the Dutch extended their claim to the western half of New Guinea, the world's second-largest island, but they established no major settlements until nearly 1900. When Indonesia became independent in 1949 Papua was excluded and remained under Dutch control. Following strong Indonesian effrots to claim control an agreement in 1962 provided for a transitional period under United Nations administration. In 1969 an asembly of elder leaders decided to join Indonesia. However an independence movement called the Free Papua Movement (OPM) continues and a varying degree of unrest has persisted to the preent day.

This page describes lighthouses on the north coasts of Central Papua Province, West Papua Province, and the Tambrouw Regency in Southwest Papua Province. These provinces are on the northern side of the narrow western neck of New Guinea, ending in the Bird's Head Peninsula at the northwestern corner of the island. The coast faces north on the Philippine Sea. Lighthouses of the south coast of Central Papua and West Papua Provinces are described on the Southwestern Papua page. The Sorong and Raja Ampat Islands pages have additional lighthouses of Southwest Papua Province.

More than 700 languages are spoken in Indonesia. The official national language, Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), was standardized from a form of Malay that served as a lingua franca across the archipelago. In Indonesian a lighthouse is a mercusuar or a menara suar. Tanjung is a cape, ujung is a headland or point of land, bukit is a hill, sungai is a river, kuala or muara is an estuary or river mouth, pulau is an island, karang is a reef, batu is a rock, laut is a sea, selat is a strait, teluk is a bay, pelabuhan is a harbor, and labuhan is a port. It's also worth knowing that the word for an island is nusa in Balinese and gili in the Sasak language spoken on Lombok and in western Sumbawa.

Aids to navigation in Indonesia are operated and maintained by the Directorate of Marine Navigation within the Directorate General of Sea Transportation

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volumes F and Q of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publications 111 and 112.

General Sources
World of Lighthouses - Indonesia
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Online List of Lights - Indonesia - Papua - Vol Q and Vol. F
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Volume Q includes light south of the Equatir and Volume F has lights north of the Equator.

Manokwari Light, Manokwari, June 2021
Google Maps photo by fotobagus manokwari

Southwest Papua Province: Tambrouw Regency Lighthouses
 
* Sausapor
2015 (?). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 10 s. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower painted white. Suprandoko Sutrisno has the photo at right, Bram Mambrasar has a closeup, a 2020 view from the sea is available, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the base of the pier at Sausapor, the seat of Tambrouw Regency, a small town on the "brow" of the Bird's Head peninsula. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3375.
Mios Su (Amsterdam Island) (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft) (?); white flash every 3 s. 16.5 m (54 ft) (?) square iron skeletal tower, painted white. The lighthouse is in the left distance in a 2023 aerial view and Google has a satellite view. This light marks the eastern entrance to the Dampier Strait, which separates the Doberai Peninsula of Papua from the island of Waigeo. In the satellite view the tower appears to be much taller than its listed height. Located on the western tip of a small island off the "eyebrow" of the Bird's Head. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-170; Admiralty Q3376; NGA 26024.
 

Sausapur Light, Sausapur, May 2016
Google Maps photo by Suprandoko Sutrisno
 

West Papua Province North Coast Lighthouses

Manokwari Regency Lighthouses
Manokwari is the capital of West Papua Province; it has a metropolitan population of more than 250,000. The city has a fine natural harbor and has become an important port.

Tanjung Saukorem (Saoekorem)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 30 m (98 ft) iron skeletal tower, painted white. No photo available but Google has a satellite view of the station. Located on a low promontory on the top of the Bird's Head, about 125 km (75 mi) north northwest of Manokwari. Site status unknown. ARLHS IDO-269; Admiralty Q3376.5; NGA 26028.
Tanjung Memori (Tanjung Bakaro)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 33 m (108 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower painted white. Ronald Marthen has a 2020 photo, a drone view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Tanjung Memori is a promontory sheltering the harbor of Manokwari, the capital of West Papua province. Located at the tip of the cape, about 8 km (5 mi) east of Manokwari. Accessible by road. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3389; NGA 26032.
Karang Butsiuri
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) square red skeletal tower on a platform supported by piles. Dmitry Telnov has a distant view, Faisal Rauf also has a distant view (lighthouse right of center), a distant drone view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal in the entrance to Teluk Manokwari. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3391; NGA 26036.
Manokwari Range Front (2)
Date unknown. Inactive. Approx. 17 m (56 ft) square white skeletal tower. A 2021 drone view is available, Google has a street view and a drone view showing both Manokwari lighthouses, and Bing has a satellite view. NGA lists a much shorter tower. Located on the waterfront of Manokwari. Site status unknown. ex-Admiralty Q3390; NGA 26040.
* Manokwari (Range Rear) (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 25 m (82 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. Approx. 22 m (72 ft) square white skeletal tower. A portion of a 2021 drone view is at the top of this page, and Google has a satellite view and a drone view showing both Manokwari lighthouses. NGA lists a much shorter tower. The range has been discontinued and the Admiralty has dropped its listing of the front light. Located about 250 m (820 ft) northwest of the harbor area in Manokwari. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3390.1; NGA 26048.
* Manokwari Perikanan Pelabuhan (Fishery Harbor)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 15 m (49 ft); white light, pattern unknown. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) square white skeletal tower. A 2023 photo and an aerial view are available, the tower is seen in the first few seconds of Bastian Noriwari's video taken from the sea, and the light is centered beside the blue-roofed building in Google's satellite view. Located at the fishery port on the west side of the Manokwari harbor. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3391.3

Tanjung Memori Light, Manokwari, October 2020
Google Maps photo by Ronald Marthen
Pertamina Manokwari
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 17 m (56 ft); white light, pattern unknown. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower, three sides covered with white siding. Laode Rasyid has a 2023 photo and Google has a street view and an indistinct satellite view. Located at the Pertamina oil terminal in Manokwari. Site and tower closed but the light is seen from the street. Admiralty Q3390.6.

Manokwari Selatan (South Manokwari) Regency Lighthouse
Tanjung Oransbari
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower painted white. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory at the back of the Bird's Head, marking the west side of the entrance to the Cenderawasih Gulf. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.1; NGA 26080.
* Pelabuhan Gaya Baru
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 12 m (39 ft); white light, pattern unknown. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round white barbell-shaped tower. Aida Krisna's photo is at right and Google has a satellite view. Located at a small boat harbor in central Manokwari Selatan. Site open, tower closed. Not listed by the Admiralty.

Teluk Wondama (Wondama Bay) Regency Lighthouses
Tanjung Yanimerai
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); yellow flash every 4 s. 24 m (79 ft) yellow tower, probably skeletal. No photo available but Bing's indistinct satellite view may show the light. Located at the northern tip of Pulau Yanimaerai, a small island off the end of the much larger Pulau Rumberpon, which shelters Teluk Rumberpon. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.15; NGA 26081.

Pelabuhan Gaya Baru Light, Manokwari Selatan, March 2017
Google Maps photo by Aida Krisna
Pulau Matas
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); yellow flash every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) yellow tower, probably skeletal, on a platform supported by piles. No photo available and the light is not shown in Bing's satellite view of the listed location. Located off the west side of the Pulau Matas atoll, about 65 km (40 mi) east of Pulau Rumberpon. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty Q3395.35; NGA 26106.5.
Tanjung Wandoswaar (Mios Waar)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); yellow flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) yellow tower, probably skeletal, on a platform supported by piles. Google has a satellite view of a settlement at the listed location, but the description of the light implies it is offshore, not shown by the satellite view. Located near the northern end of Mios Waar, a large forested island southeast of Pulau Rumberpon. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty Q3395.2; NGA 26082.
Teluk Wasior (Wandamen, Wandammen) (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 2 s on, 8 s off. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery painted white. Jefry Echletus has the 2020 street view at right and Google has a satellite view. Located near the port area in Wasior, a ferry terminal on the east side of Wondama Bay. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.55; NGA 26107.7.
Pulau Yop
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 5 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) green tower, probably fiberglass. No photo available but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the eastern tip of Yop, an island on the west side of Wondama Bay. Accessible only by boat. Admiralty Q3395.5; NGA 26107.5.

Teluk Wasior Light, Wasior, September 2020
Google Maps photo by Jefry Echletus

Central Papua Province Lighthouses

Nabire Regency Lighthouses
Nabire Regency occupies the south coast of the Cenderawasih Bay ("Bird of Paradise Bay") above the "neck" of the Bird's Head Peninsula.

Karang-Karang Tydeman
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) white tower, probably skeletal, on a platform supported by piles. No photo available and Bing has only a fuzzy satellite view of the reef. Located at the east end of a long reef complex in the center of the entrance to the Cenderawasih Gulf. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.3; NGA 26106.
Pulau Kabuai (Kubuai) (2)
2010 (?). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 5 s. 30 m (98 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Soffa Mustoffa has a closeup 2022 photo and Google has a satellite view. This light and the next one guide ships through the reefs to Nabire. NGA formerly listed a light with a 14 m (46 ft) focal plane. Located on a tiny islet in the southwestern Cenderawasih Gulf. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.4; NGA 26107.
Pulau Notabari
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); yellow flash every 4 s. 24 m (79 ft) yellow tower on a platform supported by piles. No photo available and Bing has only a fuzzy satellite view showing the platform. Located on a reef about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Nabire. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.59; NGA 26101.
Nabire Oil Terminal
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 22 m (72 ft); light characteristic unknown. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower enclosed with a daymark colored with red and white horizontal bands. No closeup photo available but Google has a satellite view and the light is just beyond the big tank, at the base of the pier, in an aerial view of the terminal. Located at the terminal at the southern end of the Cenderawasih Gulf. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.87.
* Nabire
2019(?). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); yellow flash every 4 s. 20 m (66 ft) triangular cylindrical skeletal tower. This appears to be a coast guard communications tower. Firt Luqman has a July 2019 photo but the tower is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on the Nabire waterfront. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3395.82.
Ujung Kimbo (Teluk Kimi, Nabire)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 6 s. 20 m (66 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Sukarno Makawaehe has a 2020 photo (a portion is at right), a similar but darker photo is available, the light is in the upper right corner of Arief Hidayat's aerial photo of the port and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland sheltering the harbor of Nabire, the regency capital on the east side of the Cenderawasih Gulf. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.8; NGA 26104.
Pulau Jaunan
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) skeletal tower, painted white. Raimond Rumatray has a distant drone view and a drone view of visitors atop the tower and Google has a satellite view. The Admiralty and NGA list the light as "Nabire," although it is 32 km (20 mi) north of that town. Located on a small island, the westernmost in a group of islands. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty Q3395.6; NGA 26100.


Ujung Kimbo Light, Nabire, October 2020
Google Maps photo by Sukarno Makawaehe

Pulau Jaunan Reef
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); red flash every 4 s. 20 m (66 ft) red skeletal tower on a platform supported by piles. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. The approach channel to Nabire passes just to the west of this light. Located at the west end of the large reef surrounding Pulau Jaunan, about 2 km (1.25 mi) west of the lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty Q3395.64.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Northern Papua | South: Southwest Papua | West: Seram and Ambon | Northwest: Halmahera

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Posted December 31, 2008. Checked and revised February 11, 2025. Lighthouses: 24. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.