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THINGS TO DO IN BATANES: Sabtang Island Tour - "Amazing Places to Visit, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Sabtang, Batanes"

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour

We woke up early on our 2nd day in Batanes. From our accommodation, we were fetched by Ryan, our tour guide and brought us to the port in the town of Ivana where we will be riding the boat going to the island of Sabtang. Batanes is known to have strong waves, and I've heard a lot of stories from friends about how enormous the waves. Their motorized boats are locally called "faluwa", which are boats designed to withstand the strong waves. These boats don't have a "katig" or outriggers as it would only be crashed by the strong waves while at the sea.


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Top Things to Do, Places to Visit, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Sabtang, Batanes


THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
On our way to the town of Ivana

You can find many amazing places and do many things in Batanes. I've listed here the top tourist spots and attractions, things to do and places to visit on our visit to Sabtang Island.

The quaint town of Sabtang is the southernmost island municipality of the Batanes island group. It is composed of 6 villages, namely Chavayan, Malakdang (Poblacion), Nakanmuan, Savidug, Sinakan (Poblacion) and Sumnanga.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Port of Ivana

From the port of Ivana, you could already see the island of Sabtang.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
The faluwa that will bring us to Sabtang.

The waves were dancing as we traveled from Ivana to Sabtang. Although some of the passengers were already vomiting, I kept myself calm. I even stood in front of the faluwa when I already got used to the waves after 10 minutes upon leaving Ivana port. I've survived the furious waves of Zambales and Palaui island in Cagayan, so these kind of waves are not new to me. The 40-minute boat ride to Sabtang is just fine. Yes, there are huge waves, but if you're already used to it, it doesn't matter anymore. I wonder now how the waves would be when I finally visit Itbayat this month. That I have to know.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Shot from the boat

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
View of Sabtang Lighthouse from our boat

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Arriving on Sabtang Island

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Welcome to Sabtang Island

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Sinakan Village, a Poblacion Barangay

Upon reaching the port of Sabtang, we walked towards the tourism office aka "Heritage" to register. While waiting for our chartered jeepney, we checked on Sabtang Church.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Tourism Office aka Heritage

1. Sabtang Church

This century-old church is dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer. Built by the Dominicans as a small chapel in 1785, the current church is made from stones and lime built in 1844.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
San Vicente Ferrer Church

The National Historical Institute declared the church, convent and the site of the beaterio as a "National Historical Landmark" in 2008.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Interiors of Sabtang Church

The marker installed in front of the church reads:
"Itinayo bilang kapilya ng mga Dominikano, 1785. Napabayaan nang sapilitang pinalipat ang mga mamamayan sa Ivana matapos ang pag-aaklas ni Aman Dangat, 1791. Ginawa sa apog at bato sa ilalmin ni P. Antonio Vicenter, O.P., 1844. Ipinaayos ni P. Gumersindo Hernandez, O.P. ang kampanaryo matapos masira ng bagyo, 1956. Isinaayos ang loob ng simbahan at pinalitan ng bubong na yero ni P. Rafael Carpintero, O.P., 1983-1984."

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Church of Sabtang, Batanes

2. Savidug Village

Located just 3 kilometers away from the town center, it is the first village outside the poblacion. This village abounds with old traditional Ivatan stone houses. Here, you'll get to walk along the village's old streets with rows of centuries-old houses made of stones binded by lime. This is the image of Batanes I've been wanting to see. To walk along its streets with old stone houses is a dream come true. I felt ecstatic as we check on several houses and I was amazed at how they have preserved them though the years.

There are 3 types of traditional Ivatan stone houses, "maytuab", "sinadumparan" and "jinjin". In Savidug, I only saw 2 types, "maytuab" and "sinadumparan".

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour

"Maytuab", 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.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Maytuab House

"Sinadumparan" is also a one-storey house with thick walls and cogon grass roofing. The difference is, it has 2-sided roof (dos aguas).

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
Sinadumparan House

The 3rd type is called "jinjin", which has walls made of woven cogon with bamboo or wood framework instead of stone walls. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a photo of a jinjin-type house.

3. St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Old Beaterio

This is a small chapel in the village. Beside it is an abandoned old beaterio, a priest's house. You could enter the beaterio and have your photo taken. Just be careful as its wooden floor is not sturdy anymore.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES - Sabtang Island Tour
The chapel's interiors

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
The old beaterio

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Photo op inside the beaterio

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Isn't lovely?

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Our tour mates

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
I've been wanting to have this photo inside a stone house

4. Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

The grass-laden slopes of Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint are really sights to behold. Here, I was able borrow a bicycle from a local and biked along the road. We also trekked the slopes of Tinyan and had a stunning view of Chamantad Cove. How I wish I could go down and swim in the beach. But it's not possible as we don't have much time. Lastly, I was able to wear the famed traditional Ivatan all-weather gears, the "talugong" which is worn on the head and the "kanayi", a man's vest worn on the shoulders.

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Goat

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
The bike that I borrowed from a local

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Biking at the road

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Going up the slope

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Trekking

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Awesome view!

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Wearing the famed traditional Ivatan all-weather gears

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
"Talugong", "kanayi" and a basket on my back

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Herding the goat! Hahaha!

5. Chavayan Village

We then continued going southwards to the village of Chavayan. This village also abounds with old Ivatan houses. These houses have thick walls made from various sizes of boulders clustered together by lime. Roofs are made of several layers of cogon grass to withstand water and insulate from heat. Ivatan houses are obviously designed to withstand the typhoons frequenting the islands. What I like about Chavayan is the community is near the beach. I would love to stay here overnight when I visit Batanes again.

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Welcome to Chavayan Village

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Street with old stone houses

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Checking out one of the houses

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Walking along the streets

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Our tour mates

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Old stone houses

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Ivatan farmer

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Ivatan kids

6. Sabtang Weavers Association

Also in Chavayan Village, you'll see here some weavers of "vakul". A "vakul" is a traditional head-and-back woven gear for women made from stripped leaves of vuyavuy also known as Philippine date palm.

Sabtang Island Batanes Tour
Sabtang Weavers Association

They also sell their finished vakul as souvenir for 150 to 500 pesos each depending on the size.

Sabtang  Batanes
Ivatan woman weaving a "vakul"

Sabtang  Batanes
Photo op with the weaver

7. Chavayan Chapel

The only remaining church in Batanes roofed with cogon grass. This small church in Chavayan village is also called Sta. Rosa de Lima Chapel.

Sabtang  Batanes
Chavayan Chapel

8. Morong Beach, Mayahaw Arch and Nakabuang Cave

Located in Barangay Malakdang, one of the poblacion barangays, this is where we had our late lunch. The place is famous for Morong beach which has a long stretch of white sand, the natural rock formation called Mayahaw Arch and Nakabuang Cave. I will write about what we had for lunch on a separate post.

Sabtang  Batanes
Morong Beach

Sabtang  Batanes
Mayahaw Arch

Sabtang  Batanes
Nakabuang Cave

Sabtang  Batanes
Inside Nakabuang Cave

9. Sabtang Lighthouse

This lighthouse is the most prominent structure that you will see upon reaching Sabtang Island. It sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the rough sea.

Sabtang  Batanes
Sabtang Lighthouse

Sabtang  Batanes
Lovely, isn't?

Sabtang  Batanes
Sabtang Lighthouse on the cliff

Sabtang  Batanes
View of Sabtang Lighthouse from the boat

At around 3:00 PM, we bid goodbye to this lovely island and took the faluwa going back to Ivana in Batan Island. As they say, a visit to Sabtang is never complete unless you stay here for a least a night. That I have to do on my next visit.

Sabtang  Batanes

Batanes is one of the top 10 up and coming tourist destinations in the country dubbed as the "Philippine Gems". Visit Batanes and experience its charm, beauty and lovely people. If I were to write an article on "10 must-see places in the Philippines before you die", Batanes will definitely be on my list.



This is part of my 5-day trip to Batanes that happened on May 6-10, 2013. Batanes is the 79th province on my list.

TRAVEL TIP


Complete Batanes Travel GuideWhere to Eat in Batanes

North Batan TourSouth Batan Tour

Sabtang Island TourItbayat Island Tour

Where to Stay in BatanesWhat to Buy in Batanes


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7 comments :

  1. Your posts about Batanes makes me so so envious. I can't help but day dream that I was there too. Hahaha. Thank you for inspiring me to hold on to my dream about discovering Batanes. Will keep an eye to your next posts about Baatnes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Batanes Travel GuideMarch 12, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    We are looking forward to your visit here in Batanes! ... Yes, it is expensive to go to Batanes, make sure you get the most of your vacation by having a reputable travel guide.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi anong camera gamit mo??? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi,anong camera gamit mo, ganda ng mga kuha mo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salamat po... SLR gamit ko dyan... :)

      pero kahit anong camera gamitin mo sa Batanes, maganda kahit anong anggulo... :)

      Delete
  5. Hi,
    thanks for the post, very informative. I am going to Batanes May 2 - 11 and thinking of staying at Sabtang overnight. No packaged tours bought yet. Are there any hostels where one can stay in Sabtang?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you could check out the home stays in Chavayan... or you may stay at the tourism office, they have rooms for rent where you could stay overnight.. enjoy Sabtang! :)

      Delete

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