Batanes is so much blessed with seemingly endless rolling hills and greens, view of the Pacific Ocean, and kind-hearted and warm people.
There are three usual tours in Batanes:
- South Batan Tour
- North Batan Tour
- Sabtang Tour
However, you can also set a tour on the island of Itbayat, the farthest island in the province of Batanes.
In this blog, we will explore the beauty of South Batan.
- San Carlos Borromeo Church
- Honesty Coffee Shop
- Mahatao Boat Shelter Port
- Diura Fishing Village
- Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)
- Imnajbu Beach
- Alapad Pass and Rock Formation
- Sitio Songsong Ruins
- House of Dakay
- Old Spanish Bridge
- Homoron Blue Lagoon
- White Beach
- Chawa View Deck
- Tayid Lighthouse
14 Best Spots You will See on your Batanes South Batan Tour
We have already toured Sabtang and North Batan when we discovered the wonders of South Batan.
It is said that South Batan has the m
1. San Carlos Borromeo Church
San Carlos Borromeo Church is situated in Mahatao. Also known as Mahatao Church, this church was declared as one of the Philippine National Cultural Treasures in 2001 because of its beauty and excellent state of preservation.
Historians said that the church was known to be running and active since 1789.
2. Honesty Coffee Shop
Honesty Coffee Shop is situated near the Port of Ivana.
The coffee shop is called such because the owners have a very high trust to the people in Batanes and to the tourists as well leaving it unmanned, with the foundation of trust.
Batanes is known to have a zero crime rate and is well known as well to have a very honest community.
Tourists who visit the place are usually amazed with the place. Honesty Coffee Shop offers coffee, snacks, breads, souvenirs, and pasalubong as well.
3. Mahatao Boat Shelter Port
Because Batanes is prone to big waves and typhoons, the Ivatans made the picturesque Mahatao Boat Shelter Port.
Mahatao Boat Shelter Port is one of the most picturesque spots in the South Batan tour. Once in the area, you will be amazed to see different boasts resting in place and the water is so clear that makes you wanna take a dip.
If photos are taken in the right angle, you will see a resemblance in one of the Mediterranean spots.
4 . Diura Fishing Village
This serene spot in Batanes is like your peaceful photo of a village with palm trees, boats and children running near the shore.
Diura Fishing Village is a small community in the South of Batan in Batanes. Coming from the term Yura, one of the four pre-Hispanic tribes that settled east of Mahatao, Diura Fishing Village traces its roots back to 1720 A.D.
The village, which was then inhabited by only 300 people, is currently home to boat-makers and fishermen, now called the Mataw. This is still evident today as you walk through the small coastal village.
Every home is in the style of Chivuvuhung or Jinjin, which uses cogon for its roof and walls. The walls are hung with fish, mostly dorado (yellowfin tuna) and flying fish, cured with salt and put under the sun to dry, preserving them for the rainy season. – Primer
If you have ample time, you may play take a swim/dip near the shore with the Ivatan kids.
5. Racuh-a-Payaman (Marlboro Country)
Racuh a Payaman is a large pasture land in Mahatao, Basco, Batanes. Other name for the place is Marlboro Country which was tagged by an American Tourist because it resembles the Marlboro Country in the commercial of Phillip Morris Cigarette.
From then on, the land was more known as the Marlboro Country of Batanes.
Marlboro Hills is a feast to every tourist visiting in the area. You wouldn’t even think that this place exists in the Philippines while looking at the peaceful rolling hills and vast, wide, ocean.
6. Imnajbu Beach and Hills
Imnajbu is just of the four barangays in the barangay of Uyugan in Batan, Batanes. It is near the Alapad Pass and rock formation.
7. Alapad Pass and Rock Formation
This iconic spot in Batanes is one of the most picturesque view of the south. The undeniable and articulate rock formation is a sight to behold and should never be missed by tourists visiting the area offering them a view of the Pacific Ocean.
This is the only spot where you can take a picture with the ‘Blow your horn’ sign.
Alapad Hills or Alapad Pass is also where the 1991 hit movie “Hihitayin kita sa langit” of Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta took place.
Tourists usually copy the scene where Dawn was being lifted by Richard.
8. Sitio Songsong Ruins
Songsong Ruins used to be a village before a tidal wave hit the village in 1950’s. This seaside town of Batanes is now considered ghost town not because there are ghosts in the area but all that remains in Songsong are roofless and abandoned stone houses.
9. House of Dakay
Dakay is the nickname of Jose Villamayor Estrella, the owner of the house, which was there for the last 142 years.
Luckily, one of the relatives of Dakay was there when we arrived. She also mentioned that the grandson of Dakay, Lolo Francisco Estrella, is still living at the House of Dakay.
The roof is changed every 30 years. We were also introduced to the breadfruit situated just beside their house which is used as a plate before.
We also learned that the kitchen and comfort room is separate from the house itself. So the House of Dakay is just the living room and sleeping area of the entire house. We saw the kitchen and comfort room but these two are damaged already.
Surprisingly, there’s also a basement for their food and stocks since Batanes is known to always have a number of storms.
Another basement is the shelter for their goats and other animals whenever there’s a storm.
10. Ivana Tuhel Bridge (Old Spanish Bridge)
As history says, this old Spanish bridge was built by the engineer-architect is Fr. Nicolas Castano, from October 1802 to March 1810, he was the one who ordered the construction of this bridge and all in Batanes, such as the bridges of San Vicente, Basco and San Felix. – ViganTourism
11. Homoron Blue Lagoon
Homoron Blue Lagoon is located between rock boulders of Brgy. Ivana and Mahatao. Tourists and Ivatans usually go here for a dip.
12. Homoron White Beach
Near the Homoron Blue Lagoon is what they call White Beach of Batanes.
This white sand beach is a bit rocky although you can swim in its shallow waters. The white beach can be reached through motorcycle but there are no beach resorts in the area.
13. Chawa View Deck
Chawa View Deck is situated at the mountainside of Batan and Mahatao. This view deck is a surprise to everyone giving them a 270-degree view of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
What’s more interesting here is that Chawa View Deck has stairs going down the deck. Locals say that you can go fishing here as well.
14. Tayid Lighthouse
Tayid Lighthouse is one of the most serene places in the South of Batan. This spot overlooks endless rolling hills, Mt. Iraya, and if lucky, you will see herds of cows with their cowherd and his dog.
If you still have ample time, we suggest you stay a little longer here and take a rest at the back of the lighthouse. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Batanes Travel Guide Frequently Asked Questions
- Where to Stay in Batanes?
- What are the usual tours in Batanes?
- What and where to eat in Batanes?
- Best Batanes Tour Providers
- What to do in Batanes?
- 10 Best Things to Do in Batanes – Our favorite is number 8!
Where to Book Sabtang Batanes Tour?
We highly suggest you book your Sabtang tour with a well-organized, hassle-free tour provider. Tried Batanes DIY before — it was adventures, yes but would like to suggest to have a team who’ll help you maximize your Batanes trip.
Got ours from the Amazing Batanes Tours! From the name itself, this tour provider is actually amazing! They’ve got cool tour guides — whom I think knows everything! All our questions where answered and we were brought to many awesome places. Check them out!
Check this blog about them as well at Amazing Batanes Tour Provider Review.
