We spent our last full day in Batanes touring Sabtang Island, the southernmost island of the region. Just when I thought I had seen all the beauty that Batanes had to offer, Sabtang Island proved me wrong.
There is only one boat trip from Batan to Sabtang, which leaves at 7:00 am and takes 30-40 minutes. The waves can get very high, and the boat ride can be intensely rocky. Be ready with medicine and a bag in case of motion sickness.
On Sabtang Island there are virgin beaches, steep cliffs and mountainsides. You will also see stone houses here, and you can even stay overnight in one of them to experience life alongside the locals.
Take a look at some of the beautiful places we got to see on Sabtang Island.
Savidug Idjang Viewing
St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel
Brgy Savidug Stone Houses
This village is close to the central part of town. Here you will find stone houses that are more than a hundred years old.
Brgy Chavayan Stone Houses
Sabtang Weavers Association
The women who work here make the traditional headdress of Batanes, the vakul.
Sta Rosa de Lima Chapel
This is the last remaining cogon-roofed church in Batanes.
Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint
This place is super high and super windy. Not for the faint of heart!
Morong Beach
We had lunch here, and then took some photos at the natural rock formations and caves along the beach. With the tour done, it was finally time to enjoy some swimming and snorkeling.
Tip: The single boat trip back to Batan leaves at around 3:00 pm, and if you miss that you’ll have to wait until the next day to get a ride back. So have fun, but also be mindful of the time.
Batanes is breathtakingly beautiful, and our experience was extremely relaxing. It felt as if our time there set us free from our day to day worry and stress, at least for a while. I recommend this destination to anyone in need of a little extra solace and serenity in your lives.
Let me end this series with five quick tips for your trip to Batanes.
- Prepare to be blown away – literally. It gets very windy, so I advise against wearing hats, scarves, and lots of accessories.
- Be ready with cash. There are no credit card facilities on the island, and only one ATM.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will do a lot of walking, and some crawling and climbing.
- Keep an eye out for promo fares since regular travel rates to Batanes can be steep.
- Leave your worries behind. Take in every beautiful sight, and revel in the serenity of Batanes. Trust me. You will be so glad that you did.
Check out more from my Batanes series:
- 3 Things I Loved Most About Batanes (Plus Where To Stay During Your Trip)
- Batanes Day 1 – Northern Batan
- Batanes Day 2 – Southern Batan
Always remember, travel enriches life. It teaches us to enjoy moments, to say goodbye to stress and embrace joy instead. Experience has taught me this, and I’m happy that I get to share my journeys with you now, too. Anytime you need help and tips finding worry-free, budget-friendly places to see, I’m here to help!