Chest opened
+${chestReward.xp} XP
Explorer
NOUVEAU ×${chestReward.collectible.quantity}
tapez pour fermer

See the monuments around you in AR Open chests in the app

Around Us is built for your phone — point your camera at the streets and discover the monuments and places around you in augmented reality. Around Us is built for your phone — chests unlock when you walk, explore and capture nearby places.

•

Enable Location

We need your location to show you interesting places around you

Discover nearby places

Find interesting locations and hidden gems around you

Precise directions

Get accurate directions and distances to places

Your location is never shared with other users. It's only used when you tap the location button.

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Log in to your account

Start exploring — it's free

Trusted by 94,226 travelers worldwide

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
or

We will send you a code to connect

By continuing, you accept our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy

Check your inbox

We've sent a pincode in your inbox. Please enter the code below.

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse, Offshore lighthouse on Little Basses reef, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse is a 34-metre tower on Kuda Ravana Kotuwa reef, about 10 km offshore and 14 km from Yala National Park. It was built to house one of the large hyperradiant Fresnel lenses made by Chance Brothers, four of which were used in Sri Lankan lighthouses. The active light is operated by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The lighthouse was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass and built by William Douglass, completed in 1878 using the same steam ships, crew and workers as the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse. It withstood the 2004 tsunami with only modest damage and was repaired with help from Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board.

The Sinhala name Kuda Ravana Kotuwa means "Fort of Little Ravana", linking the reef to the Ramayana legend of Ravana. The British renamed it Little Basses after the reef. Naval officer Buddhika notes that each Sri Lankan lighthouse has its own colours and construction, and many emit their own radio wave frequency, as can be seen at the Dondra lighthouses.

The lighthouse stands on a reef about 14 km off the coast of Yala National Park, roughly 10 km from land, so it can only be reached by boat; the Sri Lanka Navy operates and maintains the site. Trips are arranged with local operators or the Navy, and the crossing should be planned around sea and weather conditions.

The reef's Sinhalese name, Kuda Ravana Kotuwa, means Fort of Little Ravana, linking the site to the Ramayana legend of Ravana; the British renamed it Little Basses after invading Ceylon. Nearby lies Daedalus Rock, where HMS Daedalus sank in 1811.

The community of curious travelers

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,226 contributors worldwide.

Start exploring
Inception
1878
Architects
James Nicholas Douglass
Height
37 m
GPS coordinates
6.40730,81.73023
Latest update
November 1, 2026 04:00
Reviews
Share your experience

No review yet

Discussions
Start a discussion...

No discussion yet

« Little Basses Reef Lighthouse - Offshore lighthouse on Little Basses reef, Southern Province, Sri Lanka » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!

From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.

Around Us App Screenshot
❝

A unique approach to discovering new places❞

— Le Figaro

❝

All the places worth exploring❞

— France Info

❝

A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞

— 20 Minutes

Around Us
Travel Guide & Maps
Download

Send to your phone

QR Code
1

Open the camera app on your mobile.

2

Point at the QR code with your camera. A notification will appear.

3

Tap the notification to open the link.