Destinations » Itbayat Travel

Getting There
PAL flies from Manila to Basco twice a week, and less frequently from from Laoag and Tuguegarao on Luzon. Not surpris­ingly, delays are common due to the harsh weather conditions and you should check regularly with PAL for information. There’s also a ferry that runs between Basco and Manila two or three times a year.

Between the Island
There’s a weekly boat from Basco to San Vicente on Sablang and a daily boat from Ivana, on Batan, to San Vicente, but much depends on the weather. Boats from Basco to Itbayat about a four-hour trip only go in good weather.

When to go
April and May are the recommended months. The typhoon season officially runs from June to September, but you can also expect rain and storms between October and March.

Where to stay
Basic accommodation is available at several small guesthouses in Basco. These include Mama Lily’s Pension House and the Iraya Lodge. It may also be possible to arrange to stay with the mayors on Sabtang and Itbayat Islands. There are no restaurants in the Batanes but nobody goes hungry.

Local transport
Both bicycles and motorcycles can be hired in Basco.