TOURIST ATTRACTIONS/DESTINATIONS BATAN ISLAND – is the most populated island of the province. It is composed of four municipalities namely Ivana, Mahatao, Uyugan and the capital, Basco, is the seat of commerce, education and provincial government. SABTANG ISLAND - is a 30- minute rocky ride from Ivana Seaport on a round-bottomed falowa, fourteen-kilometers southwest of Batan Island. It has intermittent sand beaches and is dominated with steep mountains and deep canyons with small level areas sporadically found along the coastline. It is one of the most beautiful islands in Batanes. Visit Chavayan and witness the rolling of the seven waves: Sumnanga or the Little Hongkong; Nakanmuan, the fishing Village; watch the “Kuyab” or Migratory Birds from China that flock by the hundreds during the month of October. ITBAYAT ISLAND - has the Sarokan Cave, the orchids that abound in the island to discover and the burial caves to see. It is four hours away by Falowa from Basco Seaport. The island is surrounded by massive boulders and cliffs rising from 20-70 meters above sea level. Shaped like a giant bowl; it is the least visited island of the province. It has no beach and no pier. It has a dirt airstrip for private aircraft and a “regular ferry” runs the Batan-Itbayat route. Y’AMI - is the northernmost island of Batanes where one can see Taiwan on a clear day. “Tatus” or coconut crabs abound in the island, which is surrounded by rich marine life. BASCO 01. MT. IRAYA is a dormant volcano standing at 1,517 meters above sea level. It is good for mountain climbing and trail blazing and is a few kilometers from Basco. Its last eruption was in 505 AD and has become the source of fertile soil in Basco and parts of Mahatao. 02. RADAR TUKON is an abandoned United States weather station located on a hilltop and is only 2.75 kilometers away from Basco. It offers a magnificent 360-degree view of Batan Island, the South China Sea, Mt. Iraya and Basco proper on one side and boulder lined cliffs and the Pacific Ocean on the other side. At present it houses the Basco Radar Station. 03. KANYUYAN BEACH PORT at Baluarte Bay in Basco is the port of call of cargo ships bringing goods from Manila. 04. SONGSONG IN CHADPIDAN BAY is an hour of exhilarating trek from Basco proper and offers a beautiful sunset view of Batanes. 05. STO DOMINGO CHURCH was built in 1812 under the supervision of the Dominican friars. It is one of the first limestone buildings to be built under the Spanish regime. The convent beside the church was built in 1814. Buildings in Batanes are traditionally two storey LIME AND STONE HOUSES AND CHURCHES with meter-thick cogon roofs believe to last about 60 years. These buildings were built around 1795 with the help of imported masons, stone cutters and carpenters from Cagayan. 06. NAIDI HILLS is walking distance from Basco proper. 07. VALUGAN BAY has a kilometer long stretch of fine white beach with multi-colored rocks and is only three kilometers from Basco proper. 08. FUNDACION ABAD or PACITA ABAD MUSEUM - home of the world renowned artist Pacita Barsana Abad is now open for publc viewing, it houses her paintings located at Brgy. Chamarian-Tukon. It is a Pension House with de luxe facilities. MAHATAO 01. SAN CARLOS BORROMEO CHURCH was completed in 1789 and still retains its centuries old features. It has been declared by the National Historical Institute as Heritage Site 02. CHAWA CAVE is for the adventurous. An enchanted cave with natural salt beds whose mouth opens to the South China Sea and is accessible through the boulders of Chawa Point. It is four kilometers from Basco. 03. SITIO JURA AT RACUJAIDE is the Fishermen’s Village in Mahatao located along the Mananoy bay. Within the area is the legendary spring of youth and crystal cave with living limestone formations and RACUJAIDI old settlements. 04. DIATAY BEACH is a cave with multi-colored rocks and white sand located along the highway of Mahatao conducive for swimming and excursions. 05. COMMUNAL PASTURE LAND is 25 minutes on good road from Basco. Also called RACUH A PAYAMAN, it offers a panoramic view of the hills and the sea; in this area, the cows outnumber the people. 06. WIND TURBINE FARM SYSTEM - installed at Mt. Sumhao in Mahatao was launched on August 7, 2004. It is the first commercialy operated hybrid system in the Philippines. The three units of 60-kilowatt wind turbines complement the diesel generator system that Batan Island is using. IVANA 01. RADIWAN POINT and IVANA SEAPORT are historical spots where the Katipuneros landed in 1898. It is also the ferry station of falowas plying the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat. 02. SAN JOSE CHURCH was built in 1814. It has a crenellated fortress-like campanile. The church faces the Ivana Seaport where an Honesty Shop is open for buyers who get their goods and leave their money on a wooden box. 03. MT. MATAREM is an extinct volcano 495 meters at its summit. 04. WHITE BEACH at Vatang, Hapnit and Mavatuy Points. 05. HOUSE OF DAKKAY is one of the oldest houses in Ivana open to visitors who sign the guest book and give donations and take pictures. UYUGAN 01. RUINS OF SONGSONG is a ghost barangay, which feature a cluster of roofless shells of old houses abandoned after the tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 50’s and is a one hour road trip from Basco. It has a good stretch of beach recommended for swimming. 02. OLD LORAN STATION used to house a US Coast Guard detachment for almost two decades and is only 45 minutes from Basco on good roads.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 11:40:38 +0000