In Batanes, Northern Luzon
Sabtang Island
The smaller Batanes island with traditional Ivatan villages.
Sabtang Island, 30 minutes by boat from Batan, is what most travelers come to Batanes for — the traditional Ivatan stone-and-cogon houses, ancient village customs, and a landscape less developed than the main island.
The boat trip itself is part of the experience. Ferries cross the often-rough waters between the islands; rides can be cancelled when weather is too rough. Bring motion sickness pills.
On Sabtang, hire a tricycle tour for the day (PHP 1,500-2,500). The route visits Chamantad-Tinyan viewpoint (a clifftop coastal panorama), Savidug stone houses village, the Sumnanga port, and Morong Beach (white sand with a natural stone arch).
The stone houses are the cultural highlight. These centuries-old Ivatan structures use cogon-grass roofs and meter-thick limestone walls to withstand annual typhoons. Many are still inhabited. Walking through these villages feels like stepping into a museum that is also a living community.
Stay near Sabtang Island
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