Irving Reef, West York and Loaita Bank, Spratly Islands
Updated August 27, 2024
In the northern reaches of the Spratly Islands, just north of Tizard Bank and between 21.7 and 63.3 miles east of Subi Reef (primary PRC island) and Thitu Island (primary Philippine island), we have a large atoll named Loaita Bank (with one inhabited island) and Menzies Reef, Irving Reef, and West York Island. These are well within fishing, sailing, and flight range of those two developed, primary islands.
In the northern reaches of the Spratly Islands, just north of Tizard Bank and between 21.7 and 63.3 miles east of Subi Reef (primary PRC island) and Thitu Island (primary Philippine island), we have a large atoll named Loaita Bank (with one inhabited island) and Menzies Reef, Irving Reef, and West York Island. These are well within fishing, sailing, and flight range of those two developed, primary islands.
The neighborhood, and the yellow lines connect the three People's Republic of China military bases. Google Earth 12/14/2015.
Irving Reef, Philippines
Irving Reef, a.k.a. Balagtas Reef (Philippines), Huo ai Jiao (Chinese), and da Ca Nham (Vietnamese) is a submerged and undeveloped coral atoll that is occupied by the Philippines according to Wikipedia. Not sure how that can be as it is fully submerged with a tiny sand reclamation as of 7/31/2024 at the north end. Location 10°53'33"N 114°55’46”E. This is a fairly large reef, with the hypotenuse at 3.36 miles. Google Earth satellite image not dated.
Irving Reef, a.k.a. Balagtas Reef (Philippines), Huo ai Jiao (Chinese), and da Ca Nham (Vietnamese) is a submerged and undeveloped coral atoll that is occupied by the Philippines according to Wikipedia. Not sure how that can be as it is fully submerged with a tiny sand reclamation as of 7/31/2024 at the north end. Location 10°53'33"N 114°55’46”E. This is a fairly large reef, with the hypotenuse at 3.36 miles. Google Earth satellite image not dated.
Irving Reef, Sentinel-2 L2A, Highlight Optimized Natural Color, 4/22/2024 (less cloud cover, same data 7/31/2024)
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Irving Reef, Google Earth image undated.
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West York Island, Likas Island, Philippines
North of Irving we see West York Island. This island is 0.54 miles, or 729 meters long, with several buildings on the southern tip of the island, including a lighthouse. There is a large multi-story building, and three blue rectangular structures casting a strong shadow, meaning they are elevated. They could be structures with a blue roof, or solar panels. This looks like a home, research lab or resort.
Location: 11°04'52"N 115°01'16"E Imagery: 3/7/2022. The channel is deepest facing the northeast side (submarine base?).
North of Irving we see West York Island. This island is 0.54 miles, or 729 meters long, with several buildings on the southern tip of the island, including a lighthouse. There is a large multi-story building, and three blue rectangular structures casting a strong shadow, meaning they are elevated. They could be structures with a blue roof, or solar panels. This looks like a home, research lab or resort.
Location: 11°04'52"N 115°01'16"E Imagery: 3/7/2022. The channel is deepest facing the northeast side (submarine base?).
West York, Google Earth 3/7/2022.
West York, Sentinel-2, False color, 7/31/2024. You can see the channel extends off the Northeast corner. 729 meters long.
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Loaita Bank & Menzies Reef
This combined reef or pair of adjacent atolls stretch 45.2 miles in length. Location of the Loaita Bank (southern point): 10°43'12"N 114°20'57"E. Date of satellite imagery 5/14/2023. We see five tiny sandy cay formations, one cay hosting reclamation equipment, and South Key Island, which looks to be inhabited.
The north end of the atoll is Menzies Reef, and in Google Earth imagery from 4/15/2017, this is underground and undisturbed.
This atoll could result in a very large island if fully reclaimed.
This combined reef or pair of adjacent atolls stretch 45.2 miles in length. Location of the Loaita Bank (southern point): 10°43'12"N 114°20'57"E. Date of satellite imagery 5/14/2023. We see five tiny sandy cay formations, one cay hosting reclamation equipment, and South Key Island, which looks to be inhabited.
The north end of the atoll is Menzies Reef, and in Google Earth imagery from 4/15/2017, this is underground and undisturbed.
This atoll could result in a very large island if fully reclaimed.
Loaita Nam, Philippines
Starting at the Southwest is Loaita Nam, location 10°42'37"N 114°19’58”E.
This is a sandy outcropping just west of two other new sand reclamations. One of them has equipment on the island. Those two formations are at location: 10°43'36"N 114°21’27"E. These are sandy outcroppings, and the two together look like they are both being developed with sand apparent in the water.
Starting at the Southwest is Loaita Nam, location 10°42'37"N 114°19’58”E.
This is a sandy outcropping just west of two other new sand reclamations. One of them has equipment on the island. Those two formations are at location: 10°43'36"N 114°21’27"E. These are sandy outcroppings, and the two together look like they are both being developed with sand apparent in the water.
Loaita Nam - Loaita Bank 1, Sentinel-2 L2A, 7/31/2024 Highlight Optimized Natural Color
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Loaita Nam - Loaita Bank 1 Google Earth
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South Key Island, Kota Island, Philippines
This island is southeast of Loaita Bank 1, with a half-dozen buildings, a helipad, and what look like solar panels. The island is 504 meters long, and looks to be receiving land reclamation support (getting larger on the north and south ends). Loaita Bank 2, moving to the Southeast. An island with the southern third under development (sandy and new) and a helicopter pad to the north along with significant tree cover, buildings, and solar panels. No visible port facilities, but there is a small boat along the West coast. This is near an undeveloped Loaita Cay just to the East. Satellite image: 5/14/2023. Location of buildings: 10°40'00"N 114°25'25"E.
To the northwest is the Panata lighthouse, Philippines (Maxar Xpress).
Maxar Xpress labels this island Kota Island and assigns it to the Philippines.
This island is southeast of Loaita Bank 1, with a half-dozen buildings, a helipad, and what look like solar panels. The island is 504 meters long, and looks to be receiving land reclamation support (getting larger on the north and south ends). Loaita Bank 2, moving to the Southeast. An island with the southern third under development (sandy and new) and a helicopter pad to the north along with significant tree cover, buildings, and solar panels. No visible port facilities, but there is a small boat along the West coast. This is near an undeveloped Loaita Cay just to the East. Satellite image: 5/14/2023. Location of buildings: 10°40'00"N 114°25'25"E.
To the northwest is the Panata lighthouse, Philippines (Maxar Xpress).
Maxar Xpress labels this island Kota Island and assigns it to the Philippines.
South Key Island (Loaita Bank 2) detailed look at the southern end. Google Earth 5/14/2023.
South Key Island (Loaita Bank 2) Sentinel-2 7-31-2024 Highlight Optimized Natural Color, Copernicus Browser eESA
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Loaita Bank 2 (our name) Google Earth 5/14/2023
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We see additional reclamation efforts, and a bit of infrastructure in action. These are four separate reclamation efforts in the southern end of the Loaita Banks. There are no efforts visible at the northern end of the combined reef.
Loaita Bank 3 is labeled Lankiam Cay, and this satellite photo is dated 03/29/2019. Location: 10°42'42"N 114°32’08”E. This is a very early stage reclamation effort at this point, with two landforms being created that will likely be joined together.
Loaita Bank 4 is far to the East, but still in the same neighborhood. Location: 0°46'00"N 114°35’52”E. This is the beginnings of an island, and the satellite photo is from 04/25/2018.
Loaita Bank 3 is labeled Lankiam Cay, and this satellite photo is dated 03/29/2019. Location: 10°42'42"N 114°32’08”E. This is a very early stage reclamation effort at this point, with two landforms being created that will likely be joined together.
Loaita Bank 4 is far to the East, but still in the same neighborhood. Location: 0°46'00"N 114°35’52”E. This is the beginnings of an island, and the satellite photo is from 04/25/2018.
Lankiam Cay, Google Earth, 3/29/2019
Loaita Bank 4, Sand Cay, Google Earth, 4/25/2018
Loaita Bank 4, Sentinel-2, 7/31/2024
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Lankiam Cay, Google Earth, 3/29/2019
Lankiam Cay, Sentinel-2, 7/31/2024 two spits being developed.
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Menzies Reef
The northern tip has a reef structure that is underwater, but clearly visible from satellite images. Copernicus Browser marks it as unoccupied. We see no man-made fortifications or reclamations. This is as of 7/31/2024, Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.
The northern tip has a reef structure that is underwater, but clearly visible from satellite images. Copernicus Browser marks it as unoccupied. We see no man-made fortifications or reclamations. This is as of 7/31/2024, Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.
Menzies Reef, Northern Tip, Sentinel-2 L2A 7/31/2024
Area
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Spratly Islands
West York Island (and Irving Reef)
Philippines and Vietnam
238 and 359
11°05'35"N 115°00'27"E
0.54
3/7/2022
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes (on some)
Yes (on some)
Spratly Islands
Laoita Bank (and Menzies Reef)
Philippines and Vietnam
238 and 359
10°43'12"N 114°20'57"E
45.2
5/14/2023
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes (on some)
Yes (on some)
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Spratly Islands
West York Island (and Irving Reef)
Philippines and Vietnam
238 and 359
11°05'35"N 115°00'27"E
0.54
3/7/2022
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes (on some)
Yes (on some)
Spratly Islands
Laoita Bank (and Menzies Reef)
Philippines and Vietnam
238 and 359
10°43'12"N 114°20'57"E
45.2
5/14/2023
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes (on some)
Yes (on some)
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