Melo Villareal
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Sabtang Lighthouse
On our second day in Batanes, we left Amboy’s Hometel early to catch the early morning boat ride to Sabtang Island. Probably my favorite Island in the province, Sabtang is not that easy to reach. The island is clearly visible from the mainland port but dealing with the huge waves to reach the island is a totally different story.
Ivana Port
There are numerous things to see and do in Batanes, more than you could possibly hope to cover in one or two weeks of a holiday visit. If you plan your trip properly and know what’s worth spending time on, you can definitely explore the better parts of the province, and among those, your trip should definitely include the Sabtang Island, along with some of its most popular spots.
Boat ride to Vuhus Island
Visit the Vuhus Island in Sabtang
Just a little under 2 kilometers to the west of Sabtang, you’ll find the Vuhus Island (better known as Ivuhos among the locals, in case you need to ask for information/directions). While the island itself is not inhabited, it’s still quite the lively place around the year as it attracts lots of tourists, and even the locals enjoy taking the occasional boat ride to relax there for a couple of hours.
PHILTOA Members in Vuhus Island
White Sand Beach in Vuhus Island
What’s special about this island is its peculiar shape and terrain, as well as the coral reefs surrounding it. If you’ve come to Sabtang to take memorable pictures, this should be on the top of your list of destinations.
Souvenir Shop in Chavayan
Explore the Old Stone House Village of Chavayan
The Chavayan Village is one of the ancient sites of Sabtang preserved through time. Stepping on the village’s streets is a unique experience that makes you feel like you’ve walked through a portal to another dimension. The narrow, winding streets running between the numerous authentic stone houses set a very peculiar mood, and it’s almost like you can feel the spirits of those who once built the place.
Bicycle in Sabtang Island
Some of the houses are still inhabited, and you may be surprised to see the locals comfortably leaving their homes unlocked as they go about their daily duties. This is a tightly knit community with deep-rooted traditions and trust in each other, and they extend that trust to outsiders like tourists as well.
Handicraft maker in Chavayan
Lunch at Morong Beach (Nankamuan Ark)
Morong Beach is where you can find Ahaw Ark – a rock formation that is mistakenly identified as Nankamuan Ark in most travel guides due to the fact that a cave called Nankamuan Cave is located few meters from the rock formation.
PHILTOA Members in Ahaw Ark Morong Beach
Book a reservation to have lunch at the Morong Beach while you’re here – you won’t regret it! This is one of the few places in the island that can offer you a truly authentic Ivatan culinary experience, even if they are a bit exclusive in whom they let in.
Uvud Meat Balls
Make sure you try the lobster and coconut crabs which is worth absolutely every penny and will leave you craving for more.
Coconut Crab
Homestay Program
And if you really want to make your trip memorable, you should make use of the homestay program available near Sabtang Port and at the Chavayan Village. You should book your stay directly on the spot or you can book in advance via local travel agents located in Basco. Electricity is still limited in the island so make sure to charge your mobile phones, cameras and other important gadgets.
Melo Villareal in Vuhus Island Batanes
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Also Read: Batanes Travel Guide: Explore Breathtaking Batanes
