Batanes PC - Philippine Constabulary

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀❗[Lanyu-Ivatans paddle to Vatan!]

On June 15, 2026, history is set to unfold as 60 Indigenous paddlers attempt one of the most remarkable traditional sea voyages in modern times.

Using no modern ferry or speedboat, they will paddle a traditional 12-meter Tao plank boat across the open sea from Lanyu (Orchid Island), Taiwan, to Batanes, Philippines—retracing an ancient maritime route believed to have connected their ancestors for centuries.

The expedition, called “First Return Voyage in 300 Years,” is more than a physical challenge. It is a powerful journey celebrating the shared Austronesian heritage between Taiwan’s Tao people and the Ivatan people of Batanes.

Here are the key facts:

• 60 Indigenous paddlers will rotate throughout the journey.
• They will travel aboard the Tatala “Ovayan” (Golden Friendship), the largest traditional Tao plank boat built in modern times.
• The crossing is expected to take 2 days and 1 night.
• The route crosses the powerful Kuroshio Current, one of the world’s strongest ocean currents.
• Seven es**rt vessels, led by the zero-emissions ship Porrima P111, will provide safety and logistical support.

For many, this is more than a voyage—it is a living reminder that long before modern borders existed, Indigenous communities were already connected by the sea through trade, family ties, navigation, and culture.

If successful, this journey will become one of the most significant Indigenous maritime expeditions of the modern era.

Would you like to see more cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines?

Sources:
• Taiwan News
• Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation (IPCF)

Disclaimer:
This post is based on information released by the expedition organizers and publicly available reports as of June 15, 2026. Timings and voyage progress may change depending on weather and sea conditions.