It is located at the end of Cantick Head, a long peninsula on the south-eastern coast of South Walls that overlooks the Pentland Firth and the Sound of Hoxa, which forms the southern entry to the natural harbour of Scapa Flow.

[1] South Walls is joined to the larger island of Hoy by a narrow causeway, allowing road access to the village of Longhope, Hackness and then the lighthouse further to the south-east.

[2] The light first entered service in 1858, and consists of a 22 metres (72 ft) high cylinder-shaped tower, which is painted white.

[1][2] Adjacent to the tower are a set of keeper's cottages and subsidiary buildings, bounded by a walled compound containing a sundial.

[1] The entire station including the tower, keeper's cottages, outhouses and sundial are protected as a category B listed building.