Basilan is an island that gained the notoriety as the “Philippines Wild, Wild, West”. In the 1970’s it was declared as a “No Man’s Land” with the Moro uprising. Although Basilan’s peace and order situation already improved through the years, it is still considered a red zone for both local and international travellers. Island locals and some of Zamboanga City (the center city of the peninsula) locals with work-related trips, relatives, and friends are becoming more comfortable in enjoying the unexploited beauty of the island of Basilan.
Non-local travellers, the ones from other cities and provinces are still apprehensive about setting foot in the island. Basilan is a beautiful island, rich in history, culture, tradition, natural resources and nature reserves. Millions of tourists have visited so many of the Philippines’ more than 7 thousand islands but for sure not even 1% of them have ever set foot in Basilan. This island is a red zone for International Tourists. Let me share some of my photos in one of my trips in this beautiful island that probably the rest of the Philippines and the world will not ever personally see in the very near future.
This is the Port of Isabela City, one of the main ports in the Basilan Island. The other port is Lamitan City.
In the port, there are many “sea gypsies” we call them the “Badjaos” the live on their boats and dive for coins thrown by people in the water. I feel bad about seeing little kids diving deep for coins but they take pride in doing it, they don’t like it if you hand them the coins.
Badjao boys.
The fastcraft that travels from Zamboanga City to Basilan Island. It is a 45-minutes trip with this fast ferry.
The Village of Kampurna in Isabela City, Basilan
This pumpboat is the mode of transport from Isabela City to the Island of Malamawi
across the Isabela City Port.People would go to Isabela City for shopping and other needs.
Many families have their stilt houses built on the shallow part of the ocean. The ocean around the Island is usually busy with boat traffic. Families who live on boats or stilt houses do their errands and business with their boats, like fetching fresh water, shopping for goods, socializing and fishing.
This is the Sumagdang Beach in Isabela City, Basilan
Watching the sunset in the Fuego-fuego Beach in Tabiawan,Isabela City, Basilan. It is called Fuego-Fuego because of the fiery red view of the beach when the sun hits it.
Fuego-fuego beach during the day.
Malamawi Island White Beach in Basilan. It is very pristine and unexploited.
The Malo-ong Riverland in Lamitan,Basilan.
Malo-ong Riverland, Lamitan,Basilan.
The Provincial Capitol designed like a Mosque.
Murals on a school wall in Isabela City,Basilan.
People from the City going back to their villages. Ride this public transport called the “Jeepney”
Rubber is a big business in Basilan. This is the Menzi Rubber Plantation in Isabela City,Basilan.
Basilan is rich in Seafood resources. Seafood is very cheap. Vendors don’t use weighing scales in selling them. They will just scoop it according to how much is your money unlike in City markets where there is a fixed price per kilo or per piece. In Basilan you can eat your hearts out with plenty of seafood.
Beautiful ocean view during the day.
Aww… this sleepy little girl. They are really good swimmers and divers at a very young age. They live on boats with their family. These children are waiting to dive for coins.
Malamawi Island Festival. They have a boat like a Pagoda that sails for the festivities.
If you check Basilan on Google Map, there are so many blank spaces and places missing. Someday, those spaces will be filled. Basilan has a bounty of beauty that it could offer to tourists if peace and safety is stable in this island I am so looking forward, that the future could offer the opportunity for other people to be able to enjoy the richness of the island as I do. The cultural experience, the pureness of its unexploited nature and the hospitality of its people is truly something that anyone will not experience anywhere else. But, right now, don’t add it yet to your bucket list, unless you are a local 
