Cape Reinga Lighthouse Coastal Sunset Northland New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

A breathtaking sunset from the coastal shores where the Cape Reinga Lighthouse stands overlooking the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean in Northland on the North Island of New Zealand.

The sunset hues filtering through the blanket of clouds over the Tasman Sea/Pacific Ocean, bodies of water which are extremely dangerous, making the Cape Reinga Lighthouse an important landmark along these coastal shores. As the sky begins to darken at sunset, the light atop the Cape Reinga Lighthouse flashes every 12 seconds and can be seen for 35 kilometers or 19 nautical miles.

The lighthouse once stood on Motuopao Island but was moved to its current location in 1938 as the rough waters made it to dangerous to get to. Once having a 1000 watt electrical lamp on top, the lighthouse become automated in 1987 and in May of 2000, the lamp and lens were replaced with a 50 watt beacon.

Overlooking these coastal shores is extremely picturesque at the best of times but as the sunset hours illuminate the sky, the scenery is breathtaking from the Cape Reinga Lighthouse.

Sunset at Cape Reinga and Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Northland, North Island, New Zealand.