TOP THINGS TO DO IN BATANES
To help you with your planning, we have compiled the best things to do and experience in Batanes. Octagon Bed and Dine can help you arrange for your trip so contact us and we'll be excited to showcase our land, culture, and history.
Climb Mount Iraya
If you still got the legs and are into hiking, try the highest peak of the province. Located in the northern part of Batan Island, Mt. Iraya is the northernmost active volcano in the Philippines, which last erupted in 1454. With an elevation of 1,009 meters from sea level and base diameter of 5,500 meters, the hike to the summit of the mountain would be average in difficulty. It takes 3 to 4 hours of trekking before you reach the summit. From the drop-off point near the Basco Airport, a half hour walk would take place before you reach the forest which is packed with flora and fauna. After an hour and a half in the forest, you would reach the ‘shoulder’ of the mountain which serves as a campsite and a quite impressive view deck. The trail becomes muddier and steeper as you go on higher so the reeds would be really helpful in climbing. It would probably take another hour before you reach the peak.
Most of the time, the view from the peak is foggy. The best time to climb the mountain is during the month of September when there are no clouds to block the view. From the peak, you could view the whole island of Batan. The Pacific Ocean, West Philippine Sea, Sabtang Island, Itbayat Island and Dine Island are visible from the peak as well.
From the town proper of Basco or Octagon Bed and Dine, you can take a tricycle to the road right beside the Basco Airport. From then on, you would have to walk by foot. That is where the hike starts.
Climb Mount Iraya
If you still got the legs and are into hiking, try the highest peak of the province. Located in the northern part of Batan Island, Mt. Iraya is the northernmost active volcano in the Philippines, which last erupted in 1454. With an elevation of 1,009 meters from sea level and base diameter of 5,500 meters, the hike to the summit of the mountain would be average in difficulty. It takes 3 to 4 hours of trekking before you reach the summit. From the drop-off point near the Basco Airport, a half hour walk would take place before you reach the forest which is packed with flora and fauna. After an hour and a half in the forest, you would reach the ‘shoulder’ of the mountain which serves as a campsite and a quite impressive view deck. The trail becomes muddier and steeper as you go on higher so the reeds would be really helpful in climbing. It would probably take another hour before you reach the peak.
Most of the time, the view from the peak is foggy. The best time to climb the mountain is during the month of September when there are no clouds to block the view. From the peak, you could view the whole island of Batan. The Pacific Ocean, West Philippine Sea, Sabtang Island, Itbayat Island and Dine Island are visible from the peak as well.
From the town proper of Basco or Octagon Bed and Dine, you can take a tricycle to the road right beside the Basco Airport. From then on, you would have to walk by foot. That is where the hike starts.
Savor the view from Marlboro Country
This is where the flavor is. No need to have a lengthy article on this, just trust us and go visit this place in Batanes. The picture is not enough to describe this piece of paradise. If the view doesn't amaze you, we don't know what will. First timers usually say the beauty of the place makes you pray, praise, and thank the One above. Tourists visit the pride of Uyugan in Batan Island for the lovely views offered by Marlboro Country. From the hill, the Tayid Lighthouse, Mahatao hills, Diura beach, and Mt. Iraya are visible. It is only a lengthy walk from the hill to get to the Tayid Lighthouse, which lets you view the Pacific Ocean from the top.
If you ride a car from the airport, take the Contra Costa Road and then turn left to the National Road. (Landmark: Batanes Octagon Bed and Dine) Just follow the road until you get to Mahatao Interior Road, take that one. Once you reach the place, you would have to walk up the hill to get to the viewing site. You could rent a tricycle or motorcycle. It would probably take you 45 to 60 minutes to get there, walking included. The ride would only take 30 to 45 minutes.
This is where the flavor is. No need to have a lengthy article on this, just trust us and go visit this place in Batanes. The picture is not enough to describe this piece of paradise. If the view doesn't amaze you, we don't know what will. First timers usually say the beauty of the place makes you pray, praise, and thank the One above. Tourists visit the pride of Uyugan in Batan Island for the lovely views offered by Marlboro Country. From the hill, the Tayid Lighthouse, Mahatao hills, Diura beach, and Mt. Iraya are visible. It is only a lengthy walk from the hill to get to the Tayid Lighthouse, which lets you view the Pacific Ocean from the top.
If you ride a car from the airport, take the Contra Costa Road and then turn left to the National Road. (Landmark: Batanes Octagon Bed and Dine) Just follow the road until you get to Mahatao Interior Road, take that one. Once you reach the place, you would have to walk up the hill to get to the viewing site. You could rent a tricycle or motorcycle. It would probably take you 45 to 60 minutes to get there, walking included. The ride would only take 30 to 45 minutes.
Go Up the Naidi Hills
Without much exhaustion, you can view the entirety of the island of Batan in the view deck of the Basco Lighthouse, which stands in one of the Naidi Hills.
When the weather is feeling friendly, you could also view the neighboring islands, namely Sabtang due south and Itbayat due north. Mt. Iraya can also be viewed from the deck as well as the Basco port. The deck is also a good spot for watching sunsets.
The Naidi Hills are only a kilometer away from the Basco Plaza. From there, you can take a bicycle to the hills or you could just walk. Head northwest of the National Road, take the road that leads down to the Port. Facing the sea, pass by Landbank and turn right and go straight ahead until you reach Vargas Street. (The fourth street from the road that goes down to the port.) Turn right then at Escalona Street, turn left. Go straight ahead the Songsong Iraya road. When you reach the divide, take the left road. That road leads you up to the Basco Lighthouse, which stands on Naidi hills. It would take you approximately 15 minutes to get there. Or you could just rent a tricycle so that you would not have to bother with the directions.
Without much exhaustion, you can view the entirety of the island of Batan in the view deck of the Basco Lighthouse, which stands in one of the Naidi Hills.
When the weather is feeling friendly, you could also view the neighboring islands, namely Sabtang due south and Itbayat due north. Mt. Iraya can also be viewed from the deck as well as the Basco port. The deck is also a good spot for watching sunsets.
The Naidi Hills are only a kilometer away from the Basco Plaza. From there, you can take a bicycle to the hills or you could just walk. Head northwest of the National Road, take the road that leads down to the Port. Facing the sea, pass by Landbank and turn right and go straight ahead until you reach Vargas Street. (The fourth street from the road that goes down to the port.) Turn right then at Escalona Street, turn left. Go straight ahead the Songsong Iraya road. When you reach the divide, take the left road. That road leads you up to the Basco Lighthouse, which stands on Naidi hills. It would take you approximately 15 minutes to get there. Or you could just rent a tricycle so that you would not have to bother with the directions.
Escape the Heat at the Fountain of Youth
The man-made cold spring gets its water from the falls coming from the hills of Imnajbu. A tube is placed where the water from the falls flow, which is where the water in the spring is coming from. The spring faces east and you can view the Pacific Ocean from there.
The spring is nearby the Diura Fishing Village, located in Imnajbu, Uyugan in Batan. It is about half an hour from the Basco Airport by car or tricycle. It is 10 kilometers away from Basco so walking might not be a good idea.
Along the way, you could stop by the Mahatao Boat Shelter Port. If you have not much time, you could just see the top view of the port from the road at the mountain side. The port was built to protect boats from the harsh weathers of Batan. Ever since, the port had become popular to tourists as a quick stop in their day tours.
The man-made cold spring gets its water from the falls coming from the hills of Imnajbu. A tube is placed where the water from the falls flow, which is where the water in the spring is coming from. The spring faces east and you can view the Pacific Ocean from there.
The spring is nearby the Diura Fishing Village, located in Imnajbu, Uyugan in Batan. It is about half an hour from the Basco Airport by car or tricycle. It is 10 kilometers away from Basco so walking might not be a good idea.
Along the way, you could stop by the Mahatao Boat Shelter Port. If you have not much time, you could just see the top view of the port from the road at the mountain side. The port was built to protect boats from the harsh weathers of Batan. Ever since, the port had become popular to tourists as a quick stop in their day tours.
Fifteen minutes from the Town Proper of Basco, Valugan Boulder Beach is located on the eastern side of the island so it is known for the beautiful view it offers of sunrises.
The last time Mt. Iraya erupted, it left the beach of Valugan with igneous rocks scattered all throughout the length of the shore. Because of the danger the rocks pose, swimming is not allowed in the beach. But this does not stop tourists from lingering, taking photographs of the great view.
From the Basco airport, take Reyes Street. Turn a left on Contra Costa Road and just go straight ahead until the road leads you to the left. Just follow that road, it will end by the beach. The beach is about 3.5 km away from the airport and it would take approximately 10 minutes if you go there by tricycle or car. If you feel like walking, it would take you about 40 minutes to get there.
The last time Mt. Iraya erupted, it left the beach of Valugan with igneous rocks scattered all throughout the length of the shore. Because of the danger the rocks pose, swimming is not allowed in the beach. But this does not stop tourists from lingering, taking photographs of the great view.
From the Basco airport, take Reyes Street. Turn a left on Contra Costa Road and just go straight ahead until the road leads you to the left. Just follow that road, it will end by the beach. The beach is about 3.5 km away from the airport and it would take approximately 10 minutes if you go there by tricycle or car. If you feel like walking, it would take you about 40 minutes to get there.
Mahayaw’s Arc at Morong Beach
The beach’s sand may not be comparable to the very fine white sand of Boracay’s but the peace and quiet that is found here could be found in no other place. Tourists usually spend the noon here to eat lunch.
It’s not only the beach that draws tourists there. Along the shore stands a stone arc called the Mahayaw’s Arc. The arc is known as the symbol of Sabtang Island. People have claimed that this stone arc was nature’s masterpiece. The proof can be found along the arc’s wall. The island was said to be underwater once. And corals can be found along the walls of the arc. This serves as proof that the island indeed was once underwater and that the stone arc was probably carved by the pressure of the water and other factors. Regardless of its history, the arc is magnificent and worth your time. It is located along the beach of Morong.
The boat that would take you to Sabtang leaves Batan Island at around 6:30 in the morning. You can take a tricycle to get to Ivana Port and ride the faluwa for about one hour to the San Vicente Port at Sabtang Island. From then, you can rent another tricycle to take you to the Morong Beach which would probably be a 5-minute ride. If you would only stay there for the day, you would have to go back to the port by 1 in the afternoon.
