Sabtang Island. Located at the south-west region of Batanes Group of Islands, and smallest among the three major islands, Sabtang is considered to have a more ancient feel compared to Batan Island of Batanes. The island features not only the old Ivatan houses but also the preserved culture of the Ivatan people. You could see how they fish, how they preserve food, how they farm, how they help each other build houses, how they celebrate feasts, and how they take care of the herd.

It is worth noting that there is an islet west of here called Vuhus Island where they let loose of their cows and let them graze freely on the open grasslands! Moreover, to the west of Vuhus is another island called Adekey where goats are the ones that roam the landscape! And you guessed it, you could actually camp into these islands and spend the night with wild cows along the white beaches! And there’s more! Did I mention that you would be experiencing the ride of your life at sea when you board their “faluwa” boats! WIth the turbulent currents and several high crashing waves, it’s one hell of a ride to Sabtang! Weather at Sabtang is similar to all Batanes Islands wherein strong winds are frequent. Rainfall is also frequent even on summer days due to high evaporation at sea in addition to the fast blowing winds of the Pacific and South China sea. And before you lose your interest with these prefaces, hop on and let’s rediscover Sabtang!

***To rediscover more on Batan Island, see our post here.

HOW TO GET THERE

Similar to Rediscover’s Batan Island post, there is a need to ride a plane to Basco airport first before departing for Sabtang. Be reminded that most of Batan Island to Sabtang Island boats depart during the early hours so it’s good to have 1 day at Basco first and settle things down before leaving for Sabtang the following day (depends on your tour preference).

From Manila

• It only takes you one plane ride (1.5hrs) from Manila to Basco Batanes. Popular airlines that offer these trips are PAL, Sky Jet, and Wakay Air.
• From Basco airport, you could either take a trike ride, walk, or wait for your accommodation contact to fetch you to your hotel. It’s a very small town and won’t take you a day to put into memory. Spend the night.
• Wake up early around 530am and depart for San Vicente/Ivana Port via jeepneys. If no jeepneys are available you could rent a tricycle as well. If you have a tour arranged, then you don’t have to worry, they would advise you for the time and pickup as well.
• At San Vicente/Ivana Port, take the boat departing for Sabtang. This is usually a 40-60 minute ride only.

From Tuguegarao Airport

• Being a part of region 2, Batanes could also be reached via small chartered planes and a few commercial planes from Tuguegarao. Sky Pasada is the most popular airline from here.
• Follow previous section (From Manila) steps after arrival.

From Binalonan Airport

• Sky Pasada air lines also have trips to Batanes from Binalonan. This option is suited if you don’t wan’t to embrace the traffic at NAIA.
• Follow previous section (From Manila) steps after arrival.

WHERE TO STAY AND WHOM TO CALL

Normally it’s advisable to have your accommodation at Batan Island since most tourist only take a day trip to Sabtang. But if you wanted to enjoy Sabtang in a new level (like we did!), it’s best to have take a Home Stay at Sabtang too! Having the whole day at Sabtang will lead you to more places most tourists don’t even reach when they take the day tour. Oh, did I mention you could even camp out on Vuhus Island (the island of cows)?

***For Batan Island accommodations, see our post here.

• Batanes Guide (Batan, Sabtang, Itbayat)
  • Kuya Manny: +639471522873
  • Kuya Rudy: +639085607833

THE BUDGET

Air fare is probably the most expensive item you would consider (unless you wait for a promo). The next thing would be food which I would discuss in detail the succeeding sections. For reference, below are the common tours and services with their corresponding prices. Though if you have lots of free time and a little sporty, you could probably just rent a bike and run all the tours!

• North Batan Tour: 1500php per person (vehicle will depend on your number)
• South Batan Tour: 2000php per person
• Sabtang Tour: 2000php per person

Common Inclusions for tours

• Land Transport A/C Van for tours and transfers
• 4D/3N (North + South Batan and Sabtang)
• 3D/2N (North + South Batan and Sabtang)
• 3D/2N (North + South Batan ONLY)
• Tour Guide Services
• All Lunch during Tours
• All Government Fees and Permits
• Round-Trip Boat Rides (Sabtang Island Only)
• Refreshments

Individual Rates

• Bike Rental: 25php per hour, 250php for 24hours
• Basco to San Vicente Port/Ivana Port: 17php each (via jeepney) 440php up to 2 pax (via tricycle)
• Batan to Sabtang Island: 100php (via boat)
• Sabtang Day Tour (via trike): 800php up to 2 pax
• Sabtang Overnight Tour: additional 400php up to 2 pax
• Lighthouse entrance: 50php each
• Normal Home Stays at Sabtang: 300php per person/night

TOURING SABTANG ISLAND

Without further a do, presenting to you the breath-taking awesomeness of Sabtang Island! Note that pictures below aren’t in any order and forgive me for posting so many…trust me I tried not to, but every angle is a great view so it can’t be helped!

 

Chamantad-Tinyan – where the high cliffs meet the Pacific!

Run with all your hearts content!

A truly majestic view of mountains, cliffs, and grasslands around you!

Walking this far isn’t a problem with this kind of surreal feeling!

Inhale the fresh winds of the sea and set yourself free!

Definitely a perfect spot for your photoshoots!

Love the grasslands, love the space…

   

Running out of words to describe how amazing it is to be here…

Simply enjoying the ocean breeze atop these rockies.

Standing on the cliff’s edge with a very strong wind is a little frightening….tbh

Now time to visit Savidug’s stone houses – created for years yet lasting thru time.

Now I wonder who was that music artist who had their shooting here?

Nostalgia in every corner, these stone houses take years to make and require a lot of Bayanihan.

Somewhere at Sumnanga Fishing village.

A creative passage going to Sumnanga Fishing village.

Somewhere along the way to Nakanmuan.

The road to Chavayan Fishing village is both narrow and dreamy…

When it starts raining at Morong beach…

And when you thought there’s no thrill at Sabtang…here come’s their zipline.

Duvek Cove – a safe haven for boats of Sumnanga village.

Sabtang lighthouse…and a white knight! Lol.

Sabtang village at dusk.

A view from Sabtang’s lighthouse.

Faluwa rides at Sabang Port! Prepare for a thrilling ride!

The best part of it all – the local Ivatan cuisine! At first glance you see that it looks normal, but because of the freshness and purely organic ingredients, the taste is in another level. The softness of Lunis, The tenderness of Vunes, the aroma of the seaweed soup, and the unique taste of the Flying Fish! ***Just be reminded that coconut crabs are not nearly extinct, so regardless if anyone here offers you the dish, its best to decline.