Louisa Reef

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Louisa Reef
Disputed island
Other names: Nantong Jiao 南通礁;
Terumbu Semarang Barat Kecil
Geography
Louisa Reef (South China Sea)
Location South China Sea
Coordinates 6°20′7″N 113°16′47″E / 6.33528°N 113.27972°E / 6.33528; 113.27972Coordinates: 6°20′7″N 113°16′47″E / 6.33528°N 113.27972°E / 6.33528; 113.27972
Archipelago Spratly Islands
Administered by
 Malaysia
Claimed by
 People's Republic of China
City Sansha, Hainan
 Republic of China (Taiwan)
Municipality Cijin, Kaohsiung
 Brunei
EEZ Brunei zone

Louisa Reef, known as Nantong Jiao (Chinese: 南通礁) in China and Terumbu Semarang Barat Kecil in Malaysia, operates a lighthouse here.

Only exposed at times of low water, the Louisa Reef is 128 km south-southwest of Swallow Reef. It rises as deeply undercut walls and steep slopes from very deep water with wonderful stony and soft corals. Safe anchorage is difficult to find, depending on the wind and currents there are sandy areas at the northwest and southwest ends but one must be on constant watch for changes in the wind, the nearest real shelter is the lagoon at Swallow Reef.

Louisa Reef is oval in shape, approximately 1.5 km east to west and 0.5 km north to south. The navigation beacon at its southwest point and the highest visible rock is at the southeast end. The reef itself abounds with pristine coral growth, with a prolific amount of staghorn coral on the north and west walls. The sandy patches south and west of the beacon give excellent night diving.[citation needed]

References

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