London Reefs, Vietnam and Cuarteron Reef a.k.a. Huayang Island, China, Spratly Islands
Updated May 27, 2025 (Google Earth has no update to its imagery, but the ESA has low resolution imagery that shows Central Reef is significantly expanded with a nice, safe, enclosed bay and now a 1.01 km diameter).
Updated August 22, 2024
In the heart of the Spratly Islands, just southwest of Fiery Cross West and east of Spratly Island, we see a small line of five reefs called the London Reefs. From west to east, they are (West Reef, Central Reef, East Reef - Vietnamese) and Cuarteron Reef, which is PRC operated and maintained.
Cuarteron is militarized and permanently inhabited, and the other islands also show signs of land reclamation, development and habitation. According to the NGA, they are all difficult to navigate around so please use caution, and have the sun to your back.
Updated August 22, 2024
In the heart of the Spratly Islands, just southwest of Fiery Cross West and east of Spratly Island, we see a small line of five reefs called the London Reefs. From west to east, they are (West Reef, Central Reef, East Reef - Vietnamese) and Cuarteron Reef, which is PRC operated and maintained.
Cuarteron is militarized and permanently inhabited, and the other islands also show signs of land reclamation, development and habitation. According to the NGA, they are all difficult to navigate around so please use caution, and have the sun to your back.
Cuarteron Reef, Huayang Island, China, military island outpost.
Cuarteron Reef is the eastern reef in the chain of London reefs. The full reef is 3.0 miles in diameter with a small island in the lagoon near a navigational channel cut into the northern side of the atoll. Location: 8°51'57"N 112°49'33"E. Satellite imagery 6/18/2019.
It is a developed island with rows of vegetation, navigation radars and lights and other structures (more defensive) at the corners, a square concrete slab, and a large building we have seen before with turrets on the roof and the ramp leading into the second level. There looks to be a parade ground (small), and ample port facilities. Location: 8°52'00"N 112°49'38"E.
We notice a very well developed building and courtyard in the center of the island. We see a large white ball on a tall tower (radome or water tower), and other obviously manmade structures. It has a helicopter pad on the east of the island.
On the southern corner, we see the famous blue radomes along with a tall structure between them. We do see a lighthouse and various navigational aids around the island. On two other corners, we see what may be anti-aircraft cannons on the 'typical' white building structure we see on many other South China Sea Islands.
The main building is consistent with other buildings we have seen. It has a deep courtyard (multi-story building) a ramp leading up into the building (above the bottom floor) and four turrets connected to the corners. The building has a ramp up into the building which implies that vehicles or heavy wheeled equipment is in use on the island (not visible in the satellite imagery).
Cuateron also has two navigational lights in the water, what might be a tall lighthouse, and a number of other tall structures that look like airport control towers with the round tops and windows all around, set up very high.
We see evenly spaced rows of plantings and lush green grassy spaces.
Cuarteron Reef is the eastern reef in the chain of London reefs. The full reef is 3.0 miles in diameter with a small island in the lagoon near a navigational channel cut into the northern side of the atoll. Location: 8°51'57"N 112°49'33"E. Satellite imagery 6/18/2019.
It is a developed island with rows of vegetation, navigation radars and lights and other structures (more defensive) at the corners, a square concrete slab, and a large building we have seen before with turrets on the roof and the ramp leading into the second level. There looks to be a parade ground (small), and ample port facilities. Location: 8°52'00"N 112°49'38"E.
We notice a very well developed building and courtyard in the center of the island. We see a large white ball on a tall tower (radome or water tower), and other obviously manmade structures. It has a helicopter pad on the east of the island.
On the southern corner, we see the famous blue radomes along with a tall structure between them. We do see a lighthouse and various navigational aids around the island. On two other corners, we see what may be anti-aircraft cannons on the 'typical' white building structure we see on many other South China Sea Islands.
The main building is consistent with other buildings we have seen. It has a deep courtyard (multi-story building) a ramp leading up into the building (above the bottom floor) and four turrets connected to the corners. The building has a ramp up into the building which implies that vehicles or heavy wheeled equipment is in use on the island (not visible in the satellite imagery).
Cuateron also has two navigational lights in the water, what might be a tall lighthouse, and a number of other tall structures that look like airport control towers with the round tops and windows all around, set up very high.
We see evenly spaced rows of plantings and lush green grassy spaces.
Cuarteron Reef, Google Earth, 6/18/2019. The full atoll.
Cuarteron Reef island, 6/18/2019. Google Earth.
|
|
Copernicus Browser, Sentinel-2 L2A 5-5-2025 200m resolution, Cuarteron Reef
There are no material differences in the island between Google and Copernicus, which spans six years. The building looks l little larger on the west side, but the formation has the same shape.
The London Reefs (West Reef, Central Reef and East Reef), Vietnam
West Reef (or West London Reef), labeled Dao Da tay A, is an island and enclosed bay (larger than the island) that is under significant renovation and land reclamation. It has a significant dock facility to the North of the bay, and significant protection from storms by breakwalls. Island satellite imagery is dated 3/25/2016 from Google Earth, and shows a diameter of 0.41 miles. Location: 8°52'03"N 112°15'05"E. The island has land reclamation structures for thickening the walls of the bay. We also see about 15 ships and other sea-faring structures including what might be a barge. The island has more than a dozen buildings. We also see significant work done to smooth out the island, and some water still showing to the Northeast of the enclosed bay area. Looks like the construction equipment is onsite to close up the opening and both build up and smooth out the sand.
This reef is 6.4 miles in diameter, shaped as an atoll, with multiple infrastructure elements for reclamation around the atoll, in addition to the island. Satellite footage when zoomed out is 5/19/2020, and it looks like this atoll will be seeing significant incremental reclamation effort.
We also see permanent reclamation infrastructure at the western edge of the atoll, and it looks like it is hard at work dredging up sand. We see mapped a second infrastructure pair at the northern side of the reef.
Thank you Maxar Xpress for the island name and breakwall placement.
West Reef (or West London Reef), labeled Dao Da tay A, is an island and enclosed bay (larger than the island) that is under significant renovation and land reclamation. It has a significant dock facility to the North of the bay, and significant protection from storms by breakwalls. Island satellite imagery is dated 3/25/2016 from Google Earth, and shows a diameter of 0.41 miles. Location: 8°52'03"N 112°15'05"E. The island has land reclamation structures for thickening the walls of the bay. We also see about 15 ships and other sea-faring structures including what might be a barge. The island has more than a dozen buildings. We also see significant work done to smooth out the island, and some water still showing to the Northeast of the enclosed bay area. Looks like the construction equipment is onsite to close up the opening and both build up and smooth out the sand.
This reef is 6.4 miles in diameter, shaped as an atoll, with multiple infrastructure elements for reclamation around the atoll, in addition to the island. Satellite footage when zoomed out is 5/19/2020, and it looks like this atoll will be seeing significant incremental reclamation effort.
We also see permanent reclamation infrastructure at the western edge of the atoll, and it looks like it is hard at work dredging up sand. We see mapped a second infrastructure pair at the northern side of the reef.
Thank you Maxar Xpress for the island name and breakwall placement.
West London Reef - Overview
West London Reef Island overview, Google Earth, 3/25/2016. Work in process.
West London Reef Construction Site
|
West London Reef, Reclamation Infrastructure at work
West London Reef, reclamation infrastructure at work, 3/25/2016 Google Earth.
|
Copernicus Browser Sentinel-2 L2A 5-5-2-25 True Color 100m West Island
On this latest imagery from Copernicus in May 2025, we can see additional reclamation at the north end (the bit above the breakwall, and the enhanced green and red/brown/tan colors indicate additional maturation of the island (buildings, foliage, etc.
Central London Reef, Dao Truong Sa Dong, Vietnam
East of West Reef, we find Central London Reef.
Surprisingly oval with a solid sea-wall, and a secondary sea wall, and what looks like more recent growth on the west shore, along with a boat launch. Greenery planted around the island, and a dense population of buildings, that look fairly uniform. We see what might be solar panels on the roofs. Due west is another spit of reclaimed land that could become the western edge of this growing island. Established road network (secondary source: Maxar Xpress)
We do see a helicopter pad on the western edge of the island, for safe and convenient transport, and there is a jetty / pier on the western side of the island. The date of these photos is 04/21/2022, and the location is 8°55'52"N 112°21’11”E. The picture is a bit rough to focus on, with very bright contract. The most precise location is 8°55'49"N 112°21'15"E. Diameter is 0.17 miles, including the thin sandy spit of land on the west side of the island.
East of West Reef, we find Central London Reef.
Surprisingly oval with a solid sea-wall, and a secondary sea wall, and what looks like more recent growth on the west shore, along with a boat launch. Greenery planted around the island, and a dense population of buildings, that look fairly uniform. We see what might be solar panels on the roofs. Due west is another spit of reclaimed land that could become the western edge of this growing island. Established road network (secondary source: Maxar Xpress)
We do see a helicopter pad on the western edge of the island, for safe and convenient transport, and there is a jetty / pier on the western side of the island. The date of these photos is 04/21/2022, and the location is 8°55'52"N 112°21’11”E. The picture is a bit rough to focus on, with very bright contract. The most precise location is 8°55'49"N 112°21'15"E. Diameter is 0.17 miles, including the thin sandy spit of land on the west side of the island.
Google Earth 4/21/2022 Central London Reef Island
|
Google Earth 4/21/2022 Central London Reef rooftops
|
Central Reef has gone on a growth spurt, with an enclosed bay. It now stretches 1.01 km in length (the length of the line), and is close to covering the entire underlying reef structure. This is significant growth from 2022 to 2025 by Vietnam. This is now a beautiful resting bay for vessels and fishermen during storms. It looks like it is still under development, and not yet built up with buildings, roads and foliage. You can see the size of the formation in 2022 (the small green oval).
East Reef, Vietnam
East Reef, located °48'51"N 112°37’50”E, is a fully submerged reef atoll. We do see three permanent markers and island reclamation structures, to the east, west and north of the coral atoll. This is an 8.2 mile diameter reef atoll with two navigation channels cut into the reef on the western side, and a large natural lagoon. Satellite Imagery: 2/15/2021.
East Reef, located °48'51"N 112°37’50”E, is a fully submerged reef atoll. We do see three permanent markers and island reclamation structures, to the east, west and north of the coral atoll. This is an 8.2 mile diameter reef atoll with two navigation channels cut into the reef on the western side, and a large natural lagoon. Satellite Imagery: 2/15/2021.
As of May 2025, East London Reef continues to be uninhabited and undeveloped.
East London Reef - overview
East London Reef Infrastructure
East London Reef Infrastructure 3
|
East London Reef Infrastructure 2
Google Earth 2/15/2021 East London Reef Infrastructure 4
|
Copernicus Browser, Sentinel-2, April 25, 2025, True Color, 500m.
You can see infrastructure but no reclamation.
The East London Reef still has infrastructure in place in three locations, but no reclamation. This is as of April 25, 2025.
Credit to the NGA Publication 161 Sailing directions, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 2020 (Updated through 11/2023)
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
Cuateron Island
Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam
282 and 291 and 323
8°51'57"N 112°49'33"E
3.0
6/18/2019
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Spratly Islands
West London Reef
Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia
288 and 300 and 315
8.8666334, 112.2569091
6.4
5/19/2020
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
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
Cuateron Island
Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam
282 and 291 and 323
8°51'57"N 112°49'33"E
3.0
6/18/2019
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Spratly Islands
West London Reef
Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia
288 and 300 and 315
8.8666334, 112.2569091
6.4
5/19/2020
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No