Lighthouses of the Southern Philippines

The Philippines include more than 7000 islands stretching over 1750 km (1100 mi) of the western Pacific. The archipelago was a Spanish colony until the Spanish-American War of 1898, which brought the islands under U.S. administration. Japan occupied the islands during World War II (1942-45), and the country became independent shortly thereafter (1946).

This page lists lighthouses in the southern part of the Philippines, including the large southern island of Mindanao, and the small islands of the Sulu Archipelago stretching from Mindano towards Borneo.

In the list, lighthouses are grouped under the closest major island, although a great many of the lighthouses are actually located on small islands in the nearby shipping lanes.

The lighthouse preservation movement is gaining some momentum in the Philippines. Until recently, all of the historic light stations were in very poor condition. However, the Philippines Coast Guard, which operates aids to navigation in the country, has recently repaired and renovated many of the towers. An "adopt a lighthouse" program has taken hold, and there's hope more extensive restorations will be carried out within the next few years.

Philippine lighthouses are often called parolas. Many Philippine lighthouses are not well known, so better information and photos are needed.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Philippine Lighthouses
8 historic photos posted by Johann Stockinger.
Spanish Lighthouses of the Philippines
Posted by the Philipings Coast Guard, this page has brief notes and undated photos.
Spanish Lighthouses of the Philippines
This is my own list of the Spanish light stations, with notes on their current status.
Lighthouse Photos by axlego
A Panoramio.com portfolio of photos of southern Mindanao lighthouses.

Cape San Agustin Light
Three lighthouses of Cape San Agustin
Davao Oriental Provincial Government photo

Northern Mindanao Lighthouses

Zamboanga del Norte Province Lighthouse
* Sirawai
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; three white flashes every 15 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light is too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on the quay at Sirawai, a village about 13 km (8 mi) south of Siocon. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2209; NGA 15214.3.
Santa Maria
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; two quick white flashes every 2 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but Google's satellite view has no detail in the area. Located on a promontory about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Siocon. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2208; NGA 15214.5.
* [Pulauan]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post with gallery and an external stairway winding around the tower. In Bernard Benjamin's photo, the light is on the hill behind the buildings. Google has only a distant satellite view of the area. Located above the Pulauan waterfront about 13 km (8 mi) west of downtown Dapitan. Site apparently open, and the tower can probably be climbed for the view. Admiralty F2284; NGA 15048.
** [Tag-ulo Point]
1911. Active; focal plane 33 m (109 ft); white flash every 5 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post with gallery and an external stairway winding around the tower. No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the point. The City of Dapitan, in northwestern Mindanao, lists this light as a possible tourist attraction. Located on the point about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of downtown Dapitan, overlooking the Sulu Sea to the northwest and the Mindanao Sea to the northeast. Site apparently open, and the tower can probably be climbed for the view. ARLHS PHI-098; Admiralty F2282; NGA 15052.

Misamis Occidental Province Lighthouses
* Baliangao Point
2008 (?). Active; focal plane unknown; white flash every 7 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. Entire lighthouse is white. Aljune Quinones has a closeup photo, but the tower is probably too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on a point about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east of Baliangao. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2281.3; NGA 15051.
Polo Point
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 18 m (60 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 16 m (53 ft) "white steel tower." No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the reefs in this area. The original light was described as a 12 m (38 ft) "frame structure." Located on the point about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Plaridel, marking the western entrance to Iligan Bay. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-096; Admiralty F2280; NGA 15064.
* Oroquieta
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. Entire lighthouse is white. Aljune Quinones has a closeup photo, but Google has only a distant satellite view of the town. Located on the waterfront of Oroquieta, on the west side of Iligan Bay. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2278; NGA 15066.
* Tabu Point (Jimenez)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. Entire lighthouse is white. Aljune Quinones has a closeup photo, but the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view of the point. Located on a cape about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of Jimenez. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2276; NGA 15068.
** Misamis Point (Ozamis)
1917. Active; focal plane 17 m (55 ft); two red flashes every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete tower mounted on the eastern bastion of the historic Spanish Fort Santiago (1756), known locally as the Cotta of Misamis. The tower can be climbed by an external stairway. Jazz Ramiro's photo is at right, Aljune Quinones has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view of the fort. Located on a headland at the eastern entrance to the harbor of Ozamis. Site and tower open. ARLHS PHI-092; Admiralty F2274; NGA 15080.
Misamis
Misamis Point Light, April 2007
photo copyright Jazz Ramiro; used by permission

Lanao del Norte Province Lighthouse
* Iligan
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 2 s. 10 m (33 ft) white concrete post light with an external spiral stairway, topped by a harbor control room and octagonal gallery. Jesus Joel Bado has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This an is old light modernized in an unusual way. Located at the south end of the wharf in Iligan. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2268; NGA 15088.

Misamis Oriental Province Lighthouse
* Sulauan Point (Laguindingan)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; white flash every 10 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. Entire lighthouse is white. Jeffrey Ponce has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promonotory near the Laguindingan Airport, marking the west side of the entrance to Macajalar Bay. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2267; NGA 15094.
* Macabalan Point (Cagayan de Oro) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 18 m (58 ft); green flash every 5 s. 16 m (53 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Jazz Ramiro visited this station in 2007 and found that the original steel skeletal tower had been removed, apparently around 2001. Part of the steel framework of the tower was being used to construct a house on the site. Located on the point marking the entrance to the harbor of Cagayan de Oro. Site open. ARLHS PHI-088; Admiralty F2266; NGA 15092.
* Balingoan (Balinguan, Balingon) (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous red light. 9 m (30 ft) white round hourglass-shaped tower. Brian Justado has a photo, Vic Orencia has a sunset photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Balingoan is the ferry terminal for travelers to the island of Camiguin. NGa lists a "pole" for this light. Located at the west end of the ferry wharf. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2264; NGA 15100.
Macabalan Point Light
Macabalan Point Light; City of Cagayan de Oro photo

Camiguin Province Lighthouses
Note: Camiguin province occupies an island in the Bohol Sea, 10 km (6 mi) off the coast of Misamis Oriental.
* [Mambajao (1)]
1911. Inactive. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) white concrete post light with an external spiral stairway. Paul Baguio has a photo of the light, a more distant view shows it standing in a small park, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront at Mambajao, on the north coast of Camiguin. Site open, tower closed.
* Mambajao (2)
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) white round hourglass-shaped tower. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The new light is on the waterfront about 700 m (0.45 mi) east of the original light. Site open; tower closed. ARLHS PHI-110; Admiralty F2262; NGA 15104.

Agusan del Norte Province Lighthouse
* Cabadbaran (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 7 s. 20 m (66 ft) white round hourglass-shaped tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. The original light had a focal plane of 10 m (33 ft). Located on the south side of the river entrance at Cabadbaran, the capital of Agusan del Norte province. Site open; tower closed. Admiralty F2254; NGA 15124.

Surigao del Norte Province Lighthouses
* Punta Bilaa (Bilar)
Date unknown (2009?). Active; focal plane unknown; white flash every 10 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round white fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A photo is at right, Mike Durero has a photo, a third photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on heights above Punta Bilaa (now called Punta Bilar in most references), the northernmost tip of Mindanao, about 15 km (9 mi) northwest of Surigao city. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2251.
[Loreto]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete post mounted on a round concrete pier; a stairway spirals around the post. A photo is available. Located in the harbor of Loreto, near the northern tip of Dinagat Island, an island off the northeastern tip of Mindanao. Accessible only by boat. Site open; there's no impediment to climbing the stairs. Admiralty F2253.5; NGA 14935.5.
Hinatuan North
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 9 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round white fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. The tower is seen at the right in Ronnie Muring's distant view from the sea and at the left in Dodong Usyot's even more distant view; Google has a satellite view. NGA lists the focal plane as 11 m (36 ft), but from the photos the height of the light is clearly much greater. Located on a promontory at the northwestern tip of Hinatuan Island, marking the eastern entrance to the passage between Dinagat Island and Mindanao. Admiralty F2247.6; NGA 15131.

Surigao del Sur Province Lighthouses
Ayoke (Auqui)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; three white flashes every 10 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small and fuzzy photo is available, but the light is not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located on Ayoke, an island about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Cantilan. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2245; NGA 15138.
[Cauit Point]
1916. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three white flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete post; a stairway spirals around the post. Keeper's house. A photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view of the station. Located on a promontory about 30 km (19 mi) east of Madrid. Site open; there's no impediment to climbing the stairs. Admiralty F2244; NGA 15140.
Punta Bilaa Light
Punta Bilaa (Punta Bilar) Light, October 2010
photo copyright LoNGshoreman; permission requested
Mabua (Maboa)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 15 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the tip of a promontory on the north side of the entrance to Tandag. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2243.5; NGA 15142.
Arangasa Island
1916. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (35 ft) square concrete post mounted on a square masonry base; a stairway spirals around the post. A small photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The light stands on the grounds of a small resort. Located on an island about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Cagwait. Site open; there's no impediment to climbing the stairs. Admiralty F2242; NGA 15144.
[Lianga Bay]
Date unknown. Active (?); focal plane unknown; white flash every 5 s. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete post; a stairway spirals around the post. A small photo is available, but Google's satellite view has no detail in this area. Located atop a rock off the waterfront of Lianga. Site open; there's no impediment to climbing the stairs. Admiralty F2241.
[Sanco Point]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete post; a stairway spirals around the post. A small photo is available, and Google has a satellite view that probably shows the lighthouse. Located on a prominent cape at the southern entrance to Bislig Bay. Site open; there's no impediment to climbing the stairs. Admiralty F2240; NGA 15146.

Southern Mindanao Lighthouses

Davao Oriental Province Lighthouses
[Cape San Agustin (1)]
Date unknown (1920s?). Inactive. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) unpainted concrete post light with a concrete stairway winding around the tower. The tower appears in the photo at the top of this page, Meldrin Avergonzado has a closeup photo, and the tower appears in the photo at the top of this page, but Google's satellite view has no detail on the cape. Cape San Agustin is the razor-sharp southeastern tip of Mindanao. Located on the point of the cape. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
Cape San Agustin (2)
Date unknown (1950s?). Inactive. 24.5 m (80 ft) round unpainted concrete tower with gallery. The tower appears in the photo at the top of this page, Archie Hilado has a photo, and a view from the sea is available. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
Cape San Agustin (3)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 5 s. 30.5 m (100 ft) (?) white round concrete tower, flared at the top and bottom. The tower appears in the photo at the top of this page, Archie Hilado has a photo, and a view from the sea is available. This is easily the tallest lighthouse of Mindanao. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouses. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS PHI-017; Admiralty F2236; NGA 15152.

Davao del Norte Province Lighthouses
[Talikud Island]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane approx. 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post; a stairway spirals around the post. Gerard Linsangan has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the southwest coast of Talikud Island, about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Davao, Mindanao's largest city. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-061; Admiralty F2232; NGA 15160.
* Davao
Date unknown (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white tower with a flared top. Mike Baylon's photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront of Davao, the largest city of Mindanao. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2234; NGA 15164.

Davao del Sur Province Lighthouses
Port Malalag (2)
Date unknown (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); red flash every 5 s. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) white round hourglass-shaped tower. A photo and an evening view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Malalag Bay is an outstanding natural harbor on the west side of the Davao Gulf on the south coast of Mindanao. The original light was on a post on the beach. Located on a headland on the south shore of the bay. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2231.2; NGA 15176.
Colapsin Point
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 74 m (243 ft); white flash every 5 s. NGA provides no description for this light, but it appears likely to be a round fiberglass tower flared at the top. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory on the south side of the entrance to Malalag Bay. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2230; NGA 15168.
Davao Light
Davao Light, October 2010
photo copyright Mike Baylon; used by permission
Tinaca Point
Date unknown (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) white concrete tower. 1-story keeper's house. A distant view is available, but Google's satellite view of the point does not reveal the light. This light marks the southernmost point of Mindanao. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2228; NGA 15184.

Sultan Kudarat Province Lighthouses
Lepak Point
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unlisted; white flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) white steel and fiberglass tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory sheltering the harbor of Lepak, on the eastern shore of Moro Gulf. Site status unknown. Admiralty F2226.5; NGA 15186.

Maguindanao Province Lighthouse
Bongo (Cotabato)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane and light characteristic unknown. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light may be too new to appear in Google's satellite view of the area. Located at the southern end of Bongo, an island in the northeastern part of Illana Bay about 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Cotabato. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.

Zamboanga del Sur Province Lighthouses
Dao-Dao (Dumagok Island)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 5 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light may be too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located on an island off the west side of Illana Bay about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of the Pagadian waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown, probably open. Admiralty F2224.7; NGA 15194.
San Pablo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane and light characteristic unknown. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light may be too new to appear in Google's satellite view of the area. Located at San Pablo, on the west side of Illana Bay about 30 km (19 mi) south of Pagadian. Site status unknown.
Tabina
Date unknown. Active; focal plane and light characteristic unknown. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light has not been found in Google's satellite view of the area. Located in Tabina, at the southwestern entrance to Illana Bay. Site status unknown.
Margosatubig
Date unknown (station established 1910). Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 5 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but Google's satellite view has no detail in this area. NGA describes a pierhead light at this port. Located at Margosatubig, a town on the east side of Dumanquillas Bay. Site status unknown, probably open. Admiralty F2224; NGA 15196.

Zamboanga Sibugay Province Lighthouses
Malangas
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 10 s. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light may be too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located in Malangas, a coal-shipping port on the west side of Dumanguillas Bay. Site status unknown, probably open. Admiralty F2224.2; NGA 15197.
Naga
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; three white flashes every 15 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round white steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. A small photo is available, but the light may be too new to appear in Google's satellite view. Located at Naga, a village at the head of Sibuguey Bay. Site status unknown, probably open. Admiralty F2222.5; NGA 15198.
Little Santa Cruz Island (2?)
Date unknown (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 16 m (52 ft) round steel and fiberglass tower, flared at the top and bottom. NGA lists a "white framework structure," presumably the original lighthouse. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Keeper's house. This is the landfall light for Zamboanga for ships arriving from the west. Located on a small island about 4 km (2.5 mi) off the extreme southwestern tip of Mindanao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-037; Admiralty F2218; NGA 15200.

Basilan Province Lighthouses
Sibago Island
1915. Active; focal plane 215 m (705 ft); white flash every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) "galvanized metal tower." No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the island. The 1920 light list refers to this as a "steel frame" tower. Located on a high island about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Zamboanga, at the southwestern tip of Mindanao. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-057; Admiralty F2214; NGA 15216.
[Malamaui (Malamawi) Island]
1914. Inactive. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light with an external stairway winding around the tower. A 2008 photo shows that the light has been removed from the tower. Mike Baylon's photo is at right, Renato Apilado also has a photo, and a small photo is available, but the buildings are not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Malamaui is a small island off the northern tip of Basilan, about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Zamboanga. The lighthouse marks the entrance to a narrow passage leading to Isabela, the principal town of Basilan. Located on the northeastern tip of Malamaui. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower probably can be climbed. Admiralty F2216; NGA 15220.
Malamawi Island Light
Malamawi Island Light, February 2012
photo copyright Mike Baylon; used by permission

Sulu Archipelago Lighthouses

Jolo Province Lighthouses
* Jolo Harbor
Date unknown (station established 1879). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 5 s. 16.5 m (54 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery. A small photo and a distant view are available, but the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view of the quay. Located at the base of the main wharf at Jolo. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F2196; NGA 15232.
Pearl Bank
1917. Active; focal plane 19.5 m (62 ft); white flash every 5 s. 17 m (57 ft) "red round steel tower." No photo available; Google has a very distant satellite view of the location. Located on a low island on the bank, a well-known navigational hazard about 170 km (110 mi) southwest of Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-040; Admiralty F2194; NGA 15244.

Tawi-Tawi Province Lighthouse
Saluag Island (1)
Date unknown. Inactive. 26 m (85 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and central cylinder. A small photo is available, but Google has only a very distant satellite view of the area. The lighthouse must be from the early years of the American administration. It was active in the 1970s and probably for many years after that. Located on an islet off the south end of Sibutu Island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ex-Admiralty F2186.
Saluag Island (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); white flash every 5 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical steel or concrete tower, painted white. A small photo is available. This is the southernmost lighthouse of the Philippines. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PHI-114; Admiralty F2189; NGA 15246.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Adjoining pages: North: Eastern Philippines | South: Sulawesi (Celebes) | Southwest: East Malaysia | West: Southwestern Philippines

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Posted July 24, 2005. Checked and revised October 24, 2011. Lighthouses: 38. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.