Batanes is the smallest province in the Philippines both in terms of population and in land area. The province consists of ten tiny islands and islets located about 162 kms. north of the Luzon mainland. Of this island group, the largest and most economically important are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang. Five islets namely Siayan, Mavudis, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami form the northernmost frontier of the Philippine archipelago. Farther north, only 46 miles away from Y'ami is the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Two islets, Ivuhos and Dequey are situated south west of Sabtang.
Almost half of Batanes are hills and mountains. Batan island, with a land area of 35sq. kms., is generally mountainous on the north and southeast. It has a basin in the interior. Itbayat Island, which has a total area of 95 sq. kms., slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous and hilly along its northern, eastern coast. As for Sabtang, mountains cover the central part of its 41 sq. km. area, making the island slope outward to the coast.
The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea. The area is a sealane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world.
Toward the end of the Spanish regime, Batanes was made a part of Cagayan. In 1909, however , the American authorities organized it into an independent province. Because of its strategic location, the Batanes island group was one of the first points occupied by the invading Japanese imperial forces at the outbreak of the Pacific War.
The Batanes Islands are a special place. Isolated from the rest of the country by miles of rough ocean, they have evolved into a truly unique destination - unlike any other island in the Philippine archipelago. The land is different - windswept hills and boulder-hemmed shores that lure, challenge and haunt. The people are different - a brave and skillful race of hardy, inscrutable survivors. The weather is different. In fact, the weather is king. Everyone and everything steps aside. The houses are different - stone walls, whitened with lime and roofed in thatch. The boats, the language, the crafts, the wine - all different.
These islands have been compared to New Zealand, Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. They are not typically tropical. For some, they are a little too laid back, a little too unpredictable. The best laid travel plans have a way of going awry on these islands. So, you must make time for the Batanes. An Ivatan once said: "When you're on the Batanes, enjoy the Batanes. Don't worry about getting home". These islands grow on you, but you must wait and watch for your rewards - not a bad lesson for those of us who are sure we are the center of the universe. Once touched, you learn to enjoy the timelessness of these islands. For you, life can never be the same again. You know you'll return someday.
The picturesque view of the whole of the province: the hills and mountains, the shelters and the people make Batanes an exotic place to visit.
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Getting There
Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) flies to Batanes from Manila and vice versa using their 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft. These flights land straight to Basco airport on Batan Island, Batanes.
Flight Schedule: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Website: http://www.flyseair.com/
Tel. No: +632 849.0100
Zest Airways (formerly Asian Spirit) also flies to Batanes from Manila and vice versa using their DASH7 planes or BAE jets however I have read that all Basco flights via Zest Airways have been cancelled since November 2008.
Flight Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Website: http://www.zestair.com.ph/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 888-2002
You may also consider taking a bus to Laoag or Tugueguarao then take Chemtrad Air, a 10-seater aircraft to Basco. Their flight schedules may vary but they normally flies on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from Tuguegarao and Tuesday/Thursday from Laoag. You may also call their office for schedules.
Tel No: (+63 2) 833-0229 / (+63 2) 844-3113
Climate
March to May is usually hot and dry and considered to be the summer months in Batanes. June to October is rainy but the typhoons usually come during the months of August. On the otherhand, the months of November to February are usually cool and windy.
Transportation
In Batanes, you may travel Batan Island by foot or you can hire bikes, motorcycles or tricycles that are available within the island. There are also jeepneys and vehicles available that you may hire which could drive you around Batan island. When going to Sabtang or Itbayat, you need to take a motorized boat also known as “falowa” then from there, you may hire a private vehicle that could also drive you within the islands. The falowas in Ivana usually leave at 6.30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. and is a 45-minute travel to Sabtang.
Banks
Land Bank, National Road (with Expressnet ATM)
Philippine National Bank, Caspo Road (with Megalink ATM)
Must Haves
Light Clothing like shirts and shorts
Sturdy and comfortable shoes, slippers or sandals
Cap, hat or bandana
Sunglasses
Light jacket or raincoat (during rainy season)
Sunblock
Insect or mosquito repellant lotion
Plastic bags or Ziplocs (To put in your camera, wallet and mobile phones)
Camera (Extra batteries, extra film, extra CF or SD Cards and a sturdy tripod)
Loads of cash (No credit cards transaction available and you may find ATM offline)
