Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
A diver explores the vibrant coral reef in West Papua, Indonesia, showcasing pink soft coral and marine life.
📷 Tom Fisk · Pexels

Lighthouse West

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.2 12 species 18 contributors

Lighthouse West is a year-round Philippine dive site with healthy coral and documented marine biodiversity. Accessible and suited for divers of varying experience.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
ReefHealthFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendlyShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Green sea turtle

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Lighthouse West location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
1.4 kn
Wave
0.12 m
Water
30.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSW (19%)
Now: ESE (118°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.42m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1.34m)

+1.4 m0 m-0.0 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.34m ▼ 10:00 · +0.25m ▲ 16:00 · +0.37m ▲ 03:00 · +1.25m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.1 · very high Air PM2.524 · moderate 05:34 17:42
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 5.7 0.2 9 1mm
09-20 6.3 0.1 9 2mm
09-21 4.4 0.1 9 7mm
09-22 5 0.1 9 2mm
09-23 3.7 0.04 9 8mm
09-24 3 0.08 9 10mm
09-25 3.3 0.14 9 10mm

About this spot

Lighthouse West, located in the Philippines near Baluarte Point, offers consistent diving conditions throughout the year. The site sits outside a marine protected area and features coral in good health with no bleaching stress observed. Twelve species observations recorded at the site provide insight into the local marine ecosystem, making it a reliable choice for divers interested in witnessing Philippine reef life. Community video documentation shows the site is visited regularly and accessible to recreational divers. Water conditions remain stable year-round, eliminating seasonal pressure on trip planning. The reef structure and species composition attract divers seeking healthy coral environments without the crowds typical of protected zones. Access is straightforward, with the site operating under standard Philippine diving regulations. Whether you're building experience or refining your skills, Lighthouse West delivers the Philippine reef experience without unnecessary complications.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Philippines: 119 Sites, Wrecks & Walls Worth the Flight

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Green sea turtle

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11360km · ~2613kg · €47

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 11h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Lighthouse West?

Lighthouse West can be dived year-round. There are no seasonal closures or significant weather windows that restrict access, making it a reliable choice regardless of when you plan your trip to the Philippines.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Lighthouse West. The site's healthy coral and absence of bleaching stress indicate a functioning reef ecosystem typical of Philippine dive sites, supporting reef fish, invertebrates, and other reef-dwelling organisms.

Do I need special permits to dive here?

Lighthouse West is not within a marine protected area, so no additional permits beyond standard Philippine diving requirements apply. Check with local dive operators for current regulations and any site-specific guidelines.

Is this site beginner-friendly?

Specific depth and difficulty data aren't documented, so contact local dive shops or operators near Baluarte Point for current conditions. The site's year-round accessibility and healthy coral suggest it accommodates a range of experience levels.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

58 records · 47 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Trapania aurata

キンスジツガルウミウシ
Gastropoda · Goniodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Nov 2025
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Doto ussi

ウスイマツカサウミウシ
Gastropoda · Dotidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Nov 2025
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Mourgona

Gastropoda · Caliphyllidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Nov 2025
×1records
Depth:
5 m

Phyllidiopsis xishaensis

シロウネイボウミウシ
Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
20 Nov 2025
×1records
Depth:
16 m

Goniobranchus geometricus

キカモヨウウミウシ
Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2025
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Chromodoris colemani

コールマンウミウシ
Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Sept 2025
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Chromodoris magnifica

シライトウミウシ
Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Sept 2025
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Thuridilla

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Jan 2025
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Coryphellina

Gastropoda · Flabellinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Jan 2025
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Reticulidia halgerda

クロカブトウミウシ
Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
2 Jan 2024
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Chromodorididae

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Feb 2020
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Ceratodoris kondoi

アカイバラウミウシ
Gastropoda · Goniodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Dec 2018
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Scuba diving at Wall near the lighthouse

PuertoGaleraMindoro

Footage of Banded Sea Snake, Lighthouse, Malapascua, Philippines - 4 March 2013

houphad

Diving Diaries 005: Sabang Point | West Escarceo

Lighthouse PG
wind peaks Feb-Mar-Jan, calmest Aug-Oct-Jun.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (50/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Fallen Tree Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Fallen Tree

Fallen Tree is a year-round Philippine dive site with minimal coral stress and 12 documented species observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Napaling Wall Dive Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Napaling Wall Dive

Napaling Wall Dive in the Philippines offers year-round diving with healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Beginner
Doljo Point Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Doljo Point

Doljo Point is a year-round Philippine dive destination with healthy corals and documented marine life, accessible via established local routes.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Fantastic Reef Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Fantastic Reef

Fantastic Reef is a year-round Philippine dive site near Bongot Island with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Beginner
Helga Point Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Helga Point

Helga Point is a year-round Indonesian dive destination with documented marine life and active community coverage.

Beginner
佐久原漁礁 Japan Diving
🇯🇵 Japan

佐久原漁礁

Sakuhara Reef is a Japanese artificial reef structure offering year-round diving with healthy coral and consistent marine life sightings.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Sabolon besar dive site

Sabolon Besar offers year-round diving around a remote island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, with documented marine biodiversity and accessible conditions for most skill levels.

Beginner

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →