After the teaser and the little sneak peek in Batanes, our second day there gets a little more exciting. We’re now going to explore the North Batan!
We start our day with a cup of coffee of course and a beautiful view of this so called “Mount Iraya”. This is also listed as one of the active volcano here in the Philippines. Mount Iraya last erupted in 1454. On the other way around, Batanes is offering hiking activities for this mountain.
Capturing the perfect view of Mount Iraya from our homestay. If you’re interested you can contact Savatan Homestay on their facebook account.
Little rain showers envelope Batanes every morning during our stay (Mid-January), so don’t forget your umbrellas and jackets. We stay and relax in our homestay during the morning, and stroll a little bit in the town to find some restaurant for our lunch.
Start of the Tour – Welcome to Basco!
We first drop by to their Provincial Capitol to pay for the Environmental Fee – 400 PHP per head and start the North Batan Tour by the infamous Basco Arch in Town!

A Piece of History – Japanese Tunnel
Also known as the “Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel”, one of the most historic place in the Philippines during World War II and the time of Japanese invasion in the country. A lot of tunnels were built around Batanes, idea of the Japanese but was built by sweat and blood of the Ivatans. The tunnels are made of the volcanic rocks and cement.
Note: You can explore inside the tunnel
One of the most interesting part of our tour was the historical information by the Ivatan Tour Guide. They really undergo training about the history of their town for them to be part of the Batanes Tourism.
PAGASA Weather Station – ripped by Typhoon Ferdie
I am a little skeptical to see the PAGASA Weather Station, since I really love radars. The station was located at a hilltop with the amazing 360 degrees view of Batanes. It was too unfortunate to see the RADAR was destroyed by the super Typhoon Ferdie. But overall, the view was definitely amazing!
Not Sand but Stones – Valugan Boulder Beach
I definitely love beaches with fine white sand but I couldn”t imagine that I would even love this beautiful boulder made shore of the Valugan Beach. The place was very relaxing. We stay here for the longest time of all the tourist attractions in North Batan. It amazes me that the jag of rocks comes from the Mt. Iraya eruption way back 400 AD and naturally been carried by the current to the shore.
Going Back on North Batan Highlights – Rolling Hills/Basco Lighthouse
Since Vayang Rolling Hills and Basco Lighthouse is originally part of the North Batan Tour, we decided to stroll there again!

Pension Ivatan
To end our day with a local vibes, therefore, we have our dinner at Pension Ivatan.

This ends our second day in Batanes. Hope you enjoy reading. See you on our next day adventures in the town!
If you haven’t read the first part, I advise you to do so, head here!
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ANGIE
March 25, 2020lovely picture none better than the final picture with your lovely smile.
Jos Folio
March 25, 2020Really beautiful photos. This really push me to pack my bags to go for a trip. keep posting
CA
March 25, 2020Batanes is a beautiful and interesting island. Your photos look tempting. I hope that I’d be able to visit it soon.
Cristina Petrini
March 25, 2020I admit that this is a part of Asia that I know very little about, but that I wouldn’t mind (after the pandemic) exploring.
Kelly
March 25, 2020Wow! Great history on this second day. I love that beach, and could find myself lost looking at each stone and it’s individual beauty! Keep sharing your adventures!
Amber Myers
March 25, 2020This looks like such a fun tour! I’d love to get here one day. It’s a pretty area.
Krysten Quiles
March 25, 2020Oh my goodness this looks like such a fun tour! I’d love to be able to get out there and explore one day!
Kristyn Nealey
March 25, 2020During the 17 years of me living in the Philippines back then, I’ve never been to Batanes. Such a great place to visit when I do go back to visit the motherland. I’ve been to a PAGASA weather station before, but it was in Baguio City I believe.
Infinity Laser Spa
March 25, 2020Exploring those tunnels must have been so much fun. The scenery is so beautiful. Sounds like such a fun tour!
Julia Hess
March 25, 2020The mountain range is gorgeous! The tunnel looks so fun and beautiful. Looks like a great trip.
Nyxie
March 25, 2020The place looks gorgeous. I love how magical it looks – like it’s straight from The Hobbit.
chad
March 25, 2020This seem like an awesome place to visit! How I need to be there now for a few weeks, soon i hope.
Jessica Collazo
March 25, 2020This is a great place to explore and go hiking. So beautiful and such pretty greenery.
Kristen V
March 26, 2020Beautiful pictures! I love hearing about other’s trips. I can’t wait to travel more
littlemisadvencha
March 26, 2020Batanes is one of my dream destinations in PH. Hope I can pay a visit anytime soon, after all this crisis will be over.
Marie Phillips
March 26, 2020This looks so different from the normal tour. I love it! I especially love the tunnel–that would be so fun to explore.
Priya
March 26, 2020Lovely pictures. Everything looks so scenic and romantic. I have never been to Batanes but it will be on my list of places to visit after the pandemic has gone. Thanks for sharing.
Monidipa
March 26, 2020The place looks so great. Such great captures I must say that and your description is lovely.
Joanna
March 26, 2020That stone beach looks so beautiful, I don’t think I have ever seen such a place, with such big rocks on it. Looks like North Batan is a proper paradise, without the crowds.
Arugba Stanley
March 27, 2020I am definitely adding it to my lists of places i will love to visit. thanks for the article, love it
Cindy Ingalls
March 27, 2020What a fun tour and such an interesting area. What did Batan used to be called?
Loise
March 27, 2020“Batan”is actually the native or the origin word from the people of Batanes. That’s when they came up with the “Batanes” province name.
Susan1375
March 27, 2020Gorgeous photos, o would love to go up the mountain.
Laura Schwormstedt
March 28, 2020Oh wow what a gorgeous place to explore, that cave is very cool and I love how much stuff there is to see and do. Really enjoyed reading this
Laura x