We have a lot of lighthouses throughout the country. Most of the lighthouses are declared historical landmarks by the province not only because of its importance during navigation, but because of its great contributions during the country's colonial period.
Balabac is a rich island in Northern Samar well known for its lighthouse. Cape Melville Lighthouse is one of the landmarks of the island that denote Palawan’s rich history.
Cape Melville Lighthouse
Cape Melville Lighthouse was the first-order light constructed by the Spaniards to light Balabac Strait, the treacherous body of water that separates the Philippines from its neighboring country of Malaysia.
The light is displayed from a 90-foot-tall (27.4 m) granite tower located on a hill 1.5 miles northwestward of the tip of Cape Melville, for a total elevation of 297 feet (90.5m) above sea level. The station was built by the Spanish Government as part of their extensive lighting plan for the archipelago. The lighthouse of Cape Melville was first lit on August 30, 1892.
Cape Melville Lighthouse today is no longer in service and a white aluminum prefabricated tower with modern solar-powered light was erected by the Philippine Coast Guard near the grounds of the old tower. Because the station is still manned, the original lights and lenses are still intact except for a central glass pane which was stolen by vandals. The tower still retains its original clockwork but it is inoperative.
Venture to Cape Melville Lighthouse
From Manila – Puerto Princessa
Philippine Airlines, PAL Express (Formerly Air Philippines), Cebu Pacific, and Zest Air have travel routes from Manila to Puerto Princessa (capital of Palawan).
Balabac Island is the home of Cape Melville Lighthouse located on the southernmost part of the island province of Palawan. Tourists who want to visit this popular tourist spot can take either the land or sea route. From Puerto Princesa City, there are buses and jeepneys headed for Tio Tuba Balabac. From there, take a boat to the island where the lighthouse stands. If you want to go by sea, then you have to start from from Riotuba, where boats can be rented for the trip to Balabac Island.
Accommodations in Puerto Princesa
• Isla Arena Turtle Sanctuary Resort - Isla Arena, Narra, Narra, Palawan, Philippines
• Sunlight Guest Hotel - Malvar Street, Barangay Tagumpay, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Microtel Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa Palawan - San Manuel, Emerald Playa, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Hotel Fleuris Palawan - Lacao Street, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Hotel Centro Palawan - San Pedro National Highway, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa - Arreceffi Island Resort Honda Bay, Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
• A&A Plaza Hotel - National Highway cor Wescom Road, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines
• Palm Bay Resort - Lot 240A, Barangay Simpocan, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Princess Armicha Pension House - Fernandez St. corner Dacuan Rd., Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300