Melville Lighthouse sits on the deserted southern shore of Balabac Island, part of the province of Palawan. Melville Lighthouse sits on the deserted southern shore of Balabac Island, part of the province of Palawan. It's not easy to get to. is not easy to get to, but it's worth the trip. The lighthouse offers a marvellous view of the Philippines' mountainous island in the distance. It's said that in good you can even see the outline of the island of Borneo. There's a lighthouse keeper lighthouse keeper who keeps it in good condition and guards it from vandals.
The lighthouse was built by the Spanish in the 19th century, and in 1898 it came into the possession of the Americans. For over a hundred years, the lighthouse has served as a guiding light for passing ships. Today, it's a strikingly beautiful building which appears to be made of coral, has become a tourist attraction. And a couple of hundred metres away, another lighthouse has been built, powered by solar panels.
The journey to the lighthouse can take several hours, or even a couple of days: first you need to to get to the town of Tio Tuba on the southernmost tip of Palawan, then take a ferry to Balabac Island. The ferry usually leaves around lunchtime and arrives in Balabac town by dinner time before dark. The next day you will have to take a boat to go to the southern coast of the island - the journey takes about two hours.
The islanders are proud of the lighthouse and consider it their main tourist attraction. The island of Balabac itself is famous for its beautiful coastline with many secluded coves and sandy beaches where you can relax after travelling to the lighthouse. The island is home to rare species of animals such as, Asiatic deer, as well as incredibly beautiful birds with their colourful plumage. The culture of the indigenous inhabitants of these places, the Molbogs tribe, may also be of interest to tourists.
