Lighthouse Reef

Lighthouse Reef sits off North Cebu, part of the same reef system that runs along the channel past Malapascua and Gato Island — a stretch of the Visayan Sea known for sharp drop-offs rather than shallow lagoon diving. The wall here draws divers and snorkelers alike for the density of reef fish working the shallower coral shelf before it falls away into deeper water. Like most of the marine sanctuaries in this corridor, the site operates under no-anchor and no-take rules set by the local government to keep the coral intact as dive traffic through the area keeps growing.

• The coral shelf holds a wide range of reef fish species — bring a fish ID card if you want to make sense of what you’re seeing.
• Night dives here reveal a different reef entirely, with nocturnal species that don’t show during the day.
• Check conditions with a local dive shop before heading out; the same current that makes the drop-off dramatic can turn rough with weather.

Explore More in North Cebu Mainland

• North Beach Malapascua
• Bantayan Heritage District
• Laaw Lagoon