During the 18th century, with an increase in the number of shipwrecks in the Bombay harbour region, a need for a lighthouse was met by modifying an onshore watch tower, built by the Portuguese, into the first lighthouse by British port authorities.

[3] The Prong's Lighthouse was built later, in 1875, by Thomas Ormiston at the cost of Rs.

[3] The tower is painted in three horizontal bands, red, white, and black respectively.

[5] It is maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, that comes under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

[5] The lighthouse (and the mangrove area extended between it and Colaba point) was designated a Grade-I heritage structure by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (MCGM) basis the recommendations of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee.