Sabtang Island, Batanes

Sabtang, officially the Municipality of Sabtang (Ivatan: Kavahayan nu Sabtang; Tagalog: Bayan ng Sabtang), is a municipality in the province of Batanes.

The southernmost island municipality of the Batanes island group, Sabtang comprises primarily Sabtang Island, as well as two nearby smaller and uninhabited islands: Ivuhos and Dequey.

It is composed of 6 villages, namely Chavayan, Malakdang (Poblacion), Nakanmuan, Savidug, Sinakan (Poblacion) and Sumnanga.

Picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views makes Sabtang Island a must visit destination when in Batanes. It’s also home to the most well-preserved villages and culture among the three inhabited islands.

It is 25 mins away from the main town of Basco. Ivana Port is your gateway to the beautiful island of Sabtang. I strongly suggest to come early so you can catch the 7:00 am boat ride for a smoother ride. Boat fare P200 per way.

Faluwa is the boat that is built without an outrigger or katig which is capable of riding the waves instead of going against them.

Depends on the weather the boat ride will take roughly around 30–45 mins.

When you get to Port of Sabtang you have to pay a P50 environmental fee at the nearby Tourism office.

Depends on your tour arrangement you can have a van or a tricycle with cogon roof tour you around the island.

I strongly recommend to have an overnight stay to Sabtang to fully indulge the beauty of of this island and its people.

San Vicente Ferrer Church

Locally known as the Sabtang Church and officially a National Historic Landmark was built by the Dominicans as a small chapel in 1785, the current church is made from stone and lime in 1844. The national Historical Institute declared the church, convent and the site of the beaterio as a nationl Historical landmark in 2008.

Savidug Village

A small barrio located beside a stony beach. Savidug is home of streets and to the Sinadumparan type of stone houses, one the three types of traditional houses in Batanes. Sinadumparan stone houses have two sloped cogon roofs and most of them have identical stone walls.

There are 3 Types of traditional Ivatan stone houses.

Matuab

A one-storey house with thick walls made from stones and lime. It has 4-sided thick cogon grass roof (cuatro aguas) and a partially submerged basement that functions as a storage area.

Sinadumparan

A one-storey house with thick walls made from stones and it has 2-sided thick cogon grass roof (dos aguas)

Jinjin

Walls were made of woven cogon with bamboo or wood framework instead of stone walls.

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Old Beaterio

It is the smallest chapel in the village. Beside it is an old beaerio or a priest house that has been abandoned.

Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

A stopover and viewpoint for tourists, which showcases Sabtang’s very own rolling hills and rocky cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can trekked the slopes of Tinyan to experience the stunning view of Chamantad Cove. There is a small cluster of the shops by the road selling different kinds of souvenirs, food, and products.
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Chavayan village

Built inside a cove and surrounded by jagged mountains, this ancient fishing village is probably the most well-preserved village in the whole Batanes region. Famous for its rows of old stone houses, narrow streets, and not to mention having no signal at all, Chavayan village made us experience how it felt like living back in the old days. With no cell signal and commercial buildings, the quiet people of Chavayan live a very simple life. You can find some weavers of "vakul". A traditional head-and back woven gear for women made from stripped leaves of vuyavuy also known as Philippine date palm.

Chavayan Chapel

Also called Sta. Rosa de Lima Chappel is the only remaining church in Batanes with cogon grass.

Morong Beach, Nakabuang Cave and Mayahaw Arch

Located in Barangay Malakdang well-known for Moring Beach and the natural rock formation called Mayahaw Arch. Morong Beach where tourists can get up close and personal with a long stretch of white sand calmer waves, the place is ideal for picnics and camping. There is a canteen near the beach where you can eat or have some refreshments.
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Sabtang Lighthouse

The most prominent structure in Sabtang. The lighthouse sits opn the rocky cliff overlooking the rough sea. It can also be seen while you are on the boat going to the port of Sabtang.

Sumnanga Barrio

A small fishing village located at the tip of the west cove.

Lukoy Beach

Lukoy beach is one of those great beaches that people often pass by when doing a tour. For this reason it is called the Secret beach of Sabtang. This is one of those untouched spots. you can view the entire white stretch from a cliff. This isolated and unexploited place is a hidden gem.

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P.S. I didn't ge a chance to take a lot of photos due to time strains. I hope to come back here soon and will surely take more photos.

How to get to Sabtang?

Travel time from Manila to Basco Batanes is roughly an hour and 45 minutes by air.
From Basco Airport, take a tricycle to Ivana Port (P220-250/ride).
From Ivana port, take a passenger boat (faluwa) to Sabtang Port. Travel time is about 45 minutes. Boat fee is P200/way

Note: The boat leaves between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM and returns to Ivana Port between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
Once you get to Sabtang Port, go to the tourism office and pay the environmental fee of P50. After paying, start your tour. There are a lot of tricycle in Sabtang that can take you to a tour.