Picturesque. Traditional Heritage. Rich Culture. Adventure. Sabtang Island.

When we are truly overwhelmed with the beauty that South Batan showed us, wait, I bet don’t yet. Because there’s another surprise that is waiting for us as we travel along going to Sabtang Island, the third largest land mass in the Batanes group of Islands.

Whatever you see in Batan Island will double up your experience than you expected. It just around 30-45 minutes away travel from Ivana Port in Basco, the gateway going to Sabtang depending on the water condition. Since you will be travelling within the major body of water, the West Philippine Sea, South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, expect some sort of turbulent on the ride but nothing to worry about because the Coast Guard doesn’t allow overloading and passengers has life jackets. Besides, the boat was perfectly shaped to stand regardless of rough ride and current of the waves created by clash of the oceans. And hola! That whole rough ride experience was cool anyway! It helped increases your adrenaline and heart beat rate. Sort of exercise. Good for the heart.

So, we catches the early boat ride. Expect long queues of people getting around catching early ride. And again, Coast Guard are pretty strict so expect a little bit of hassle for your own safety. Wearing the life vest is mandatory. We stayed overnight in the island anyway to avoid hassle and rushing up with the whole island tour to catch the boat going back to Batan in the afternoon. And speaking of Batan, we used the tricycle to have fuller experience in the island as well. Awesome isn’t it? 

Our homestay arranged the tour as part of their package. We’ve been pick-up from the port going to Pananayan Pension House after we have settled the environmental fee at the nearby tourism office. Will not mention it here and it doesn’t cost a thousand bucks. And did you know what’s good about this spot? Well, I can see from the balcony the prominent Sabtang lighthouse and just a few meters away is the rocky shoreline with that astonishing rock formation. If you’re kind of health buff and a nature wonderer, this place is absolutely perfect!

Contact:

Fafa Elesterio 0908-502-3900

Tatay Pending 0929-667-6675

By the way, Sabtang itself, I mean the downtown was impressive. You can see a lot of stone houses. Majority of their houses are designed same like that with the House of Dakay and you can count on fingers those modern houses. These are classic! There are major villages we had visited such as Sinakan, Savidug, Chavayan, and Sumanga fishing village and it feels like, you are leaving in the old Batanes because of the vibes.

Anyway, the whole Sabtang experience raised the bar high of what is next in Batanes. This whole trip covered Savidug Stone Houses, Chamantad-Tinan Viewing Point, Sabtang Weavers Association, Chavayan Stone Houses, Morong Beach and the renowned Ahaw Arc Rock Formation, Sumnanga Fishing Village, and lastly, we ended up with Sabtang Lighthouse.

Savidug Stone Houses

Savidug Stone houses showcases the traditional stone house, a great pride of cultural heritage and architecture in Batanes. This kind of shelter has survived among the catastrophic and natural phenomenon such as typhoon and earthquakes. And just across is the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, a small catholic shack that is worth to pay a visit.

Sleeping Beauty

This is not actually in our itinerary. Our gentleman tour guide ordered us to stopped by in this area and ask what we see or anything different along these mountain terrains. And as far as my eyes can see, I don’t see anything. That’s funny. Absolutely blind. But he said, it’s “Sleeping Beauty”! And like, okay, let’s have some pose guys. According to our tour guide, it’s not yet popular spot and some tour guides doesn’t know about it yet and we’re lucky enough to take a shot. You can pass by this area when heading south of Sabtang going to places such as Chamantad and Chavayan Village.

Chavayan Stone Houses

Chavayan has another story to tell. Same like other stone houses I’ve seen. They said that some of the structures aged about 100 years old already. It’s still hard to contemplate how these stone houses – mostly made from limestone survived for century. While strolling around the area, you can rent their traditional Vakul (for women) or Kanayi (for men) to feel the vibes of Batanes in an ancient times.

Sabtang Weavers Association

Don’t missed to visit this place whenever you are in Sabtang. It’s a perfect place to see how they weaved those traditional costumes and some ornaments that is truly Ivatan’s marked of unique and rich cultural heritage.  The vakul (for women) wear as headdress whilst the Kanayi (for men) wear similar to a vest are some items being done in this section. It is also a great way to continue and live up the traditional weaving for Ivatans. You can rent for Php 20-50 pesos each item and feel how to be one.

Chamantad-Tinan Viewing Point

This place is terrific! A must see in Batanes. This is where the popular hashtag, #breathtakingBatanes originates. My Marlboro country experience in South Batan was amazing, but this place was extreme. Rich in landscapes filled with grass, cliffs and rock formation, and the great deep blue Pacific Ocean. Surely, I can sit here for hours, soaking the view. For sure sunrise and or a sunset will give more drama in here.

Morong Beach Ahaw Arc Rock Formation

Morong Beach is among the most well known spot in Sabtang. I bet, the Ahaw Arc Rock Formation allows the place to be famous probably. It adds more scene and drama in the area but we need to appreciate as well the fine white sand that is one of the few in Batanes. Waves are way calmed and friendly for swimmers likes me. You won’t get lost while strolling around because it stretches less than 1KM, in my estimates. Oh god! I’m so good at it. Another thing is the restaurant just a few meters away from the beach that serves delicious food with authentic Ivatan taste. I believe, it’s the only caterer who serves food for tourists within the area.

Sumnanga Fishing Village

Sumanga Village is one of the oldest and the farthest spot in Sabtang. Due to its distance, this place has probably the least tourist trails compared to other villages. Located in the west of Sabtang, it offers a unique vibes to visitors. Tradition and rich culture of old Ivatans manifested in the area. From the shoreline, with a clear sky, you can see other small islets that are uninhabited. Mountains and cliffs plus the calm oceans added more vibrant and tranquility. We also trekked for 30 minutes to reach the hill side that offers a wider view of Sumnanga facing the Pacific Ocean. I’m hoping for the development and advertisement for this spot to gather more footprints.

Sabtang Lighthouse

Sabtang lighthouse is one of the most picturesque spot in Sabtang. This lighthouse welcomes the tourists to the island. This is an active beacon that carefully guides boats, fishermen and the rests of the seafarers who passes by the area. It was stood up there for about 14 years since it was built in the early 2000’s. Lucky for us that the homestay was about 500 meters away and bonus, you can see its grandeur from the balcony.

Check our full Batanes Travel Itinerary here. I’m looking for you guys to share your experience in your future Sabtang Island travel. Dios Mamajes!