Lighthouse is one of Havelock Island’s most well-known and versatile dive sites, with an along-shore coral reef system that slopes gradually from shallow to medium depths. Named after the white lighthouse that guides boats into the area, this site has healthy coral gardens, good marine life, and clear water.
The gentle slope from 3m to 23m works well for first-time divers and certifications, and there is enough biodiversity to keep experienced divers interested on repeat visits.
Lighthouse is the Swiss Army knife of Havelock’s dive sites. Whether you’re taking your very first underwater breath or logging dive #500, this site delivers exactly what you need.
The dive starts at the mooring buoy around 3 meters, where coral thickets surround you right away. Schools of fusiliers flash past in blue and yellow. Juvenile fish dart between coral heads. You are in it from the moment you go under.
As you descend to the mid-reef zone (5-12m), the coral gardens intensify—staghorn coral, cauliflower formations, brain corals the size of armchairs. Large barrel sponges in cream and yellow make good natural landmarks. This is where most recreational diving happens, with excellent fish life and natural light.
For certified divers, the sandy bottom zone (18-23m) reveals a different world—scattered coral heads, curious sea urchins, and the chance to spot garden eels and lobsters hiding in crevices. The gentle slope gives you extended bottom time that deeper sites just cannot match.
Lighthouse is where I do most of my RAID Open Water certifications. The depth gradient works well because students can practice skills in the shallows, then explore the reef once they are confident. This is also the site we use for the night dive in our Advanced Open Water course — the consistent topography makes it safe for training after dark.
An impressive variety of marine life across all depth zones
Lighthouse features a stunning mix of hard and soft corals, creating a vibrant underwater landscape perfect for all skill levels to explore.
Havelock’s most versatile dive site. Good for beginners, photographers, and night owls.