Itbayat

Itbayat is a municipality in the province of Batanes in the Philippines. It is located on Itbayat Island, the northernmost inhabited island in the country, making Itbayat the northernmost municipality in the Philippines. The town serves as the local government seat for Itbayat and is part of the Batanes group of islands in the Luzon Strait.

The island features a rugged coastline, limestone cliffs, and rolling hills. Itbayat is divided into several barangays, with the main settlement near the north-central coast. The area has a maritime climate with strong winds and a high exposure to typhoons; temperatures are tempered by the surrounding sea.

The population is primarily Ivatan, with Ivatan and Filipino spoken. Itbayat preserves traditional Ivatan culture, including stone houses with thick walls and thatched roofs built to withstand storms, as well as coastal and agricultural livelihoods.

Economic activity centers on fishing and subsistence farming, with coconuts and root crops also grown. Tourism is limited but slowly developing, drawing visitors to the island’s landscape and cultural heritage. Access is mainly by sea from Basco or by air when service is available; travel is frequently affected by weather conditions.

Itbayat has a long Ivatan heritage and is known for its stone architecture and coastal scenery that characterize the Batanes region.