Last Updated: April 12, 2022
Best Tourist Spots In Batanes, Philippines
Batanes is one of the more overlooked destinations in the Philippines as the region sits north of the other islands where the West Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean all meet.
The Batanes region is the smallest province in the Philippines and is made up of ten small islands but only three of them are inhabited islands – Batan island, Itbayat island, and Sabtang Island. It’s a land of endless waves, strong winds, picturesque shores, mountains, culture, stunning views, and lots more.
You should visit Batanes if you’re looking for a less crowded but authentic Philippines experience and here are the best Batanes tourist spots to visit while you’re there.
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Vayang Rolling Hills
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
The first spot you should visit in Batanes is the Vayang Rolling Hills which are vast rolling hills that provide you with an unobstructed view of the province.
From the lush green hills, you will be able to see a spectacular view of Mount Iraya as well as a panoramic view of Batan Island, Sabtang island, and Itbayat as well as into the West Philippine Sea.
A large section of the Vayang Rolling Hills used to be public land where locals would harvest cogon grass to build their roofs with but now the scenic rolling hills are mostly farmland.
To get to these rolling hills just hop on a motorbike, tricycle, or rent a van so you can explore everything the province has to offer. You can also join a tour guide to see this famous tourist attraction and most tours do stop here.
Visitors will find that sprawling hills are not uncommon in Batanes, they are everywhere and seem to never end.
Valugan Boulder Beach
The beauty of Valugan Boulder Beach has to be seen in order to be believed. You’ll find it in North Batan and it stretches from 3 kilometers with deep blue ocean water along its shores and deep green cliffs and hills in the background.
It’s said that the boulders on Valugan beach got there by being shot onto the beach during one of the eruptions of Mount Iraya and they have now been smoothed over due to the crashing waves of the pacific ocean.
You’re only really going to Valugan Boulder Beach for the breathtaking view as there is no swimming allowed due to how intense the ocean is. Be sure not to take any of the stones with you either at the Batanes tourist spot as that is not allowed either.
If you can, try to be at the beach for sunrise as this is when the spectacular views really come to life.
Savidug Stone Houses
If you want to get a look into the traditional architecture of the Batanes province then a visit to see the Savidug Stone Houses Savidug is a must.
These centuries old stone houses are Ivatan stone houses and you will find them on the eastern side of Sabtang island, around 10 minutes by car from the main port.
Each stone house is maintained by the Ivatans, the indigenous locals of the islands. Every stone house consists of walls made from stones with congon roofs which must be replaced at a certain time every year, usually before the rainy season.
You will find whole villages made from stone in both Savidug and Chavayan Village and they are quite beautiful architecturally and aesthetically too. Visiting this Batanes tourist spot is easy as you can either hop on a motorbike or tricycle, go on a tour, or drive there with a rented car if you have one.
Basco Lighthouse
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Another must-visit Batanes tourist spot is the Basco Lighthouse located on South Batan Island. The Basco Lighthouse has 6 floors and offers great views of the surrounding area from the viewing deck. You can see the town of Basco, Mount Iraya, and the ocean.
The Basco lighthouse was put in place to assist local fishermen in navigating their way to port from the sea. The main highlights of the lighthouse include the red top and of course, the views.
A visit to the lighthouses is highly recommended during the day and at night when you can see into the milky way and spot more stars than you have ever seen in your life.
You’ll find the lighthouse located at the former American telegraph facility which fell apart during WWII.
Tayid Lighthouse
Lighthouses are a part of Batanes’ history as it was the first province in the country to have lighthouses installed.
Another lighthouse worth visiting while you’re there and a very popular Batanes tourist spot is Tayid Lighthouse.
You’ll find Tayid Lighthouse in Mahatao on the other side of Batan and it features the same red top as the other lighthouses but instead of having a round deck it has a hexagonal view deck. It looks like it was built in the 1800s but it was actually built in the early 2000s to help fishermen navigate the waters safely.
The picturesque view from the view deck sprawls out into Diura fishing village of Marlboro country, into the Marlboro hills, and across into the Pacific Ocean. There is more to see in the surrounding area too with lots more Batanes tourist spots close by.
Honesty Coffee Shop
Another of the Batanes tourist spots you have to see and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Batanes province is the Honesty Coffee Shop.
This is unlike most Batanes tourist spots as it is simply a shop with an honesty policy but has featured many local films in the Philippines including “You’re My Boss” which is its claim to fame.
The shop sells everything from sodas to instant coffee, bottled water, snacks, local pastries, and more. Everything is priced and the shop is unmanned therefore it is self-service meaning you can take what you need and then pay for it by dropping the right amount of money into the honesty box.
The coffee shop is run by a retired school teacher who says the honesty system is very effective and they never have a short month. It just goes to show that if you trust people they behave the right way.
Morong Beach
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Morong Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches and one of the most beautiful Batanes tourist spots everyone has to see while there.
This beach has it all from white sands to boulders scattered around the place and a ton of different seascapes. You’ll find this beach located on Sabatang island and one of the things that might blow your mind is the Nakabuang Arch rock formation which you can walk under and seek the shade from the hot sun too.
The waves on this beach are gentle, making it a perfect beach for a dip in the ocean and a lovely place to spend the day. You can sunbathe, enjoy the views, the sea is crystal clear, and even go snorkeling too.
I would highly recommend staying on the island so that you can enjoy Morong beach as much as possible since most of the beaches in Batanes don’t have white sand and are not safe for swimming, except this one.
Marlboro Hills (Racuh A Payaman)
Another of the tourist spots to see in Batanes are Racuh A Payaman aka the Marlboro hills. This is one of the most photographed places and many tourists love it for the awesome views you get of the sea, hills, and sky.
The hills are used as pasture land for cattle and while there you will see horses, cows, water buffalo, carabaos, and lots more, grazing freely. The local government allows any local who wants to graze their cattle to use the land for free.
The never-ending greenery that goes on forever in the views is nothing short of mind-blowing. You’ll find these hills on Batan and they are great to see any time of the day. I would highly recommend going with your own transportation so you can go for a long walk and immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery.
Naidi Hills
The Naidi Hills is one of the great tourist spots to experience in Batanes as the scenery and views from this tourist spot are excellent.
From the hills, you can see the hills of Batan, Mount Iraya, Basco Town and Baluarte Bay. It is also an amazing place to watch the sunset and it is also home to the first Batanes lighthouse which you can walk to in 30 minutes should you wish to admire.
On a clear day, you can see beyond and into all the smaller islands including Itbayat. It’s the best place to get a real idea of just where on the earth you are and reflect on it.
The word Naidi comes from an Ivatan phrase meaning past settlement and it was once the site of a wireless communication facility that connected the island to Manilla until WWII when it was destroyed by the Japanese.
Sabtang Lighthouse
Sabtang Lighthouse is the only lighthouse on Sabtang island and it’s best reached by a boat ride from the port of Ivana on Batan Island.
The lighthouse was built in conjunction with the other Batanes lighthouses as part of a project to help guide fishermen and other seafarers crossing the dangerous seas of the province. It was headed up by Representative Butch Abad.
It has a similar build to the other lighthouses with a red lantern room at the top and storm panes but this one’s stone walls were left exposed, unlike the others.
The views are wonderful from the top and look across the hills of Sabtang, into the ocean, and across the local port too.
Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
The Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint is also located on Sabtang island and it is probably the best view you will get in the whole Batanes province. You can see every landscape while exploring the trail that leads you to the viewpoint. Everything from mountains to hills and sea will be featured.
The trail also leads you down to the secluded white sand beach of Chamantad Cove where you can see stunning seascapes, rock formations, and lots more. The hike down to the beach is easy but the walk back up is testing, so be sure you are fit enough to get back up.
You might think the views are similar to the hills of Batan but the views from the highest peak mean you can see for miles and on a clear day they are absolutely spectacular. If you can, do this trip yourself and stay in Sabtang so that you can really enjoy it to the max and find some peace and quiet during your vacation.
Mt. Carmel Chapel
Mount Carmel Chapel was built by local artisans and is also known as Tukon Church. It’s built out of stone, similar to the style of the stone houses, and it is architecturally beautiful.
It’s a very romantic spot as there are beautiful views across the hills and sea which makes it popular for local wedding ceremonies. Inside you’ll find old paintings of saints that were created by local artists.
The church was built by Florencio Abad’s family, one of the most prominent in the Batanes province.
Alapad Hill and Rock Formation
The Alapad Hill and Rock Formation is another spot that tourists love to see as it offers a different perspective to the landscapes of Batanes.
To get to the hill and rock formation you will drive past the Imnajbu Road Cliffs which are quite breathtaking and on arrival, see a view that you couldn’t have even imagined.
From the deck on the mountainside, you can see Mahatao and Basco towns and across the West Philippine Sea as well as many rock formations and the rolling hills of Batanes.
You’ll also find the cave of the Virgin Mary and winding stairs that take you down over 100 steps to a mini pool at the bottom. The pool has its own unique color compared to the ocean and you can even have a dip inside it. Just be warned, they walk back up in some distance to manage.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
