Batanes Islands Travel Guide
Batanes Islands are a group of islands located about 100 miles north of Luzon and separated from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel. The only inhabited islands are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang.
There are some good diving sites around the islands and for the less adventurous there are plenty of opportunities to go snorkeling. The towns on the three islands are attractive and the locals are friendly. Sabtang and Itbayat are both accessible by boat from Basco and there is also the chance to get a charter plane from Basco to any of the three main islands.
The province of Batanes is the smallest in the Philippine Republic and together with its capital city of Basco. The majority of the islands are made up from mountainous and hilly land, which makes the islands appealing during the rainy season as drainage is good and flooding is unheard of. Sabtang and Batan islands have some nice beaches and the whole region is generally peaceful.
Getting There & Away
Basco is home to a small airport that you can charter a private plane from to get you to the islands on a flight that takes about 30 minutes. There are also boats from Basco to Sabtang that take 30 minutes and a slow boat ride to Itbayat will take 4 hours. The nearest international airport is in Manila.
Things to Do
Batanes Islands Attractions
- Beaches
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White sand and clear water make up the beautiful beaches surrounding the islands.
- Diving
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The underwater life in this remote part of the philippines is superb.