Raffles Lighthouse - Southern Islands

Raffles Lighthouse isn't exactly a well-kept secret, but it’s still our pick for a deeper, more substantial dive in Singapore. Drop down and you’ll often find better visibility here than closer to the mainland, sometimes stretching to 8-10 metres on a good day. That means you can really appreciate the soft corals swaying gently in the current, painting the reef in shades of purple and orange. We love drifting along, keeping an eye out for the resident groupers, which are surprisingly plentiful here. The real draw, though, is the sheer variety of smaller stuff. Keep your eyes peeled for Chevroned Blennies popping their heads out of tiny holes, or the electric blue flash of a Pacific blue swimming crab scuttling past. Our favourite find? The surprisingly robust clumps of Staghorn coral. You’d think the surge would flatten them, but they’re thriving. This site is definitely for the intermediate diver comfortable with a bit of current and happy to take their time exploring the nooks and crannies. If you’re into macro life and want a break from the usual Singapore muck, this is your spot.

Location: Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 1.160000, 103.740000
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 8-20m
Difficulty: Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Labrador Nature Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Southern Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Southern Islands occur in January, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.2°C (air: 26.0°C)
February: 28.2°C (air: 26.6°C)
March: 28.2°C (air: 27.1°C)
April: 28.2°C (air: 27.4°C)
May: 28.2°C (air: 27.9°C)
June: 28.2°C (air: 27.4°C)
July: 28.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
August: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
September: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
October: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
November: 28.2°C (air: 26.5°C)
December: 28.2°C (air: 26.3°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Raffles Lighthouse

Marine Life in Southern Islands

Home to 284 recorded species including 179 reef fish, 46 hard corals, 17 seagrass & algae, 13 sharks & rays, 8 sea snails & nudibranchs, 6 other.

Notable Species

Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
Brain coral (Platygyra sinensis) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
Honeycomb coral (Favites abdita) - Hard Corals
Galaxea coral (Galaxea astreata) - Hard Corals
Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
Bristle-tailed Leatherjacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) - Reef Fish
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Butterfish (Scatophagus argus) - Reef Fish
Stony coral (Echinopora lamellosa) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)

Recommended Packing List for Raffles Lighthouse

Based on average water temperature of 28.2°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories