An island province of the Philippines
Basilan,
Philippines.
Meet Basilan through its landscapes, cultures, flavors, history, and the people who call this island home.
Start discoveringBARMM · MindanaoScroll to explore5 stories · 1 island
541,9472024 population*
11 + 1municipalities + component city*
210barangays*
*PSA figures for Basilan province exclude Isabela City, which is administratively part of Region IX.
Official geography | PSA
Philippine Standard Geographic Code
The island,
in numbers.
Basilan province carries the 10 digit PSGC 1900700000. The official register lists one component city, 11 municipalities, and 210 barangays, with a 2024 population of 541,947.
PlacePSGCIncomePopulation
City of LamitanCity · correspondence 15070200019007020003rd116,652MalusoMunicipality · correspondence 15070400019007040002nd66,817SumisipMunicipality · correspondence 15070500019007050001st55,778LantawanMunicipality · correspondence 15070300019007030002nd48,777Tabuan LasaMunicipality · correspondence 15071300019007130004th38,964Hadji Mohammad AjulMunicipality · correspondence 15071000019007100004th32,806Tipo TipoMunicipality · correspondence 15070600019007060004th*32,734Ungkaya PukanMunicipality · correspondence 15071100019007110004th31,041Al BarkaMunicipality · correspondence 15070900019007090004th30,318Hadji MuhtamadMunicipality · correspondence 15071200019007120005th30,122TuburanMunicipality · correspondence 15070700019007070002nd30,027AkbarMunicipality · correspondence 15070800019007080004th27,911Source: Philippine Statistics Authority. Local government classification as of 31 July 2025; population from the 2024 POPCEN. PSGC publication current to 30 June 2026.
01 / Discover Basilan
One island,
many stories.
Showing 5 of 5 stories
Nature
Rainforest, reefs & quiet shores
Basilan is a green island of forested ridges, working coastal communities, mangroves, and beaches facing the Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea.
Read the field note
Begin with community led places around Isabela City de Basilan and Lamitan, including Lampinigan Island, Pahali White Beach, and Malamawi’s coast. Conditions and access can change, so arrange visits through a local tourism office or accredited guide.
Culture
Yakan weaving, made to be remembered
The Yakan are renowned for tennun: intricate, boldly colored handwoven textiles whose patterns carry skill, identity, and memory.
Read the field note
Meet weavers through community groups and Schools of Living Tradition. Ask before taking portraits, buy directly when possible, and let artisans explain the meaning and labor behind each piece.
Food
A table shaped by land and sea
Basilan’s food reflects Yakan, Tausug, Sama, Chavacano, and wider Mindanao influences, with seafood, coconut, cassava, rice, and tropical fruit.
Read the field note
Seek out lokot lokot, panyalam, seafood, native chicken dishes, and seasonal produce. Local eateries and market stalls are often the best places to learn how recipes vary from one community to another.
Places & history
Two cities, layered histories
Lamitan is Basilan province’s component city and cultural center; Isabela City de Basilan is geographically on the island but administratively part of Region IX.
Read the field note
Across the island, Yakan, Tausug, Sama, and Christian communities have shaped a complex shared history. Visit civic landmarks, cultural spaces, markets, and festivals with curiosity, and avoid reducing Basilan to old headlines.
Plan your visit
Travel slowly, plan locally
Most visitors approach via Zamboanga City, then continue by scheduled sea transport to Isabela City or Lamitan, subject to current operations.
Read the field note
Before departure, confirm schedules, weather, local entry guidance, and current government travel advice. Coordinate with city or provincial tourism offices, use accredited transport and guides, carry cash, dress respectfully, and leave room for local rhythms.
Look beyond the old headlines.
Listen to the island itself.
02 / Beaches of Basilan
Ten shores.
Honest guides.
Ten source led articles designed around the questions travelers actually search, without inventing access details that still require local confirmation.
01Beach roundup
Basilan, Philippines
10 Best Beaches in Basilan: An Evidence Based Island Guide
Compare 10 beaches and island coasts in Basilan, from Malamawi and Lampinigan to Tenusa, Calugusan, and lesser known local shores.
Read 8 min read →02White beach
Malamawi Island, Isabela City de Basilan
Malamawi White Beach: Basilan’s Best Known Island Shore
A careful visitor guide to Malamawi White Beach and Pahali Resort near Isabela City de Basilan, including what is documented and what to verify.
Read 6 min read →03Island coast
Lampinigan Island, Isabela City de Basilan
Lampinigan Island: Rock Formations and Community Led Tourism
Plan a responsible visit to Lampinigan Island in Isabela City de Basilan, known for coastal rock formations and community based tourism.
Read 6 min read →04Island beach
Off Sumisip, Basilan
Tenusa Island: A White Sand Escape off Sumisip
Discover what official tourism sources say about Tenusa Island off Sumisip, Basilan, and how to plan a cautious, locally coordinated visit.
Read 5 min read →05Local beach
Calugusan, Lamitan City
Calugusan Beach: A Local Coastline in Lamitan City
Research Calugusan Beach in Lamitan City, Basilan: location context, what is publicly documented, and what visitors should verify locally.
Read 5 min read →06City coast
Sumagdang, Isabela City de Basilan
Sumagdang Beach: An Isabela City Sunset Coast
A practical guide to Sumagdang Beach in Isabela City de Basilan, with careful context on access, local use, sunsets, and trip verification.
Read 5 min read →07Local beach
Lamitan City, Basilan
Palm Beach in Lamitan: What Visitors Should Know
What is known about Palm Beach in Lamitan, Basilan, how it fits a local itinerary, and which details visitors must confirm before going.
Read 4 min read →08Emerging coast
Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan
Tairan Beach in Lantawan: A Research First Guide
Research Tairan Beach in Lantawan, Basilan using regional tourism planning context and a checklist for safe, respectful local coordination.
Read 4 min read →09Emerging coast
Manggas, Lantawan, Basilan
Manggas Blue Beach: A Lesser Known Lantawan Coast
A source led guide to Manggas or Blue Beach in Lantawan, Basilan, with location context and responsible planning advice.
Read 4 min read →10Surf coast
Tuburan, Basilan
Punta Matangal: Basilan’s Surf Facing Coast in Tuburan
Research Punta Matangal in Tuburan, Basilan, a surf facing coastal point mentioned in regional destination sources, with safety first planning advice.
Read 5 min read →03 / Municipalities of Basilan
Eleven places.
Local context.
Explore 11 guides grounded in official PSGC records, with responsible planning advice and clear notes about what must be confirmed locally.
01Municipality guide
Maluso, Basilan
Maluso, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Maluso in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →02Municipality guide
Sumisip, Basilan
Sumisip, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Sumisip in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →03Municipality guide
Lantawan, Basilan
Lantawan, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Lantawan in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →04Municipality guide
Tabuan Lasa, Basilan
Tabuan Lasa, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Tabuan Lasa in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →05Municipality guide
Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan
Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Hadji Mohammad Ajul in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →06Municipality guide
Tipo Tipo, Basilan
Tipo Tipo, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Tipo Tipo in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →07Municipality guide
Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan
Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Ungkaya Pukan in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →08Municipality guide
Al Barka, Basilan
Al Barka, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Al Barka in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →09Municipality guide
Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan
Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →10Municipality guide
Tuburan, Basilan
Tuburan, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Tuburan in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →11Municipality guide
Akbar, Basilan
Akbar, Basilan: Municipality Guide and Local Context
Learn about Akbar in Basilan through its official PSGC profile, 2024 population, local context, and responsible planning guidance.
Read 5 min read →04 / Know before you go
Travel with
care & context.
Check today, not yesterday
Transport, weather, and official guidance can change. Confirm plans with local tourism offices and current government advisories before travel.
Choose community led
Use accredited local guides, ask permission before photographs, and spend directly with craftspeople, eateries, and neighborhood enterprises.
Arrive ready to listen
Basilan is culturally and religiously diverse. Dress modestly, follow local cues, and approach traditions as a guest, not a spectacle.
Built from public information. Start your verification with:
Philippine Statistics Authority ↗Philippine Information Agency ↗05 / Quick answers
Basilan, briefly.
Where is Basilan?
Basilan lies off the southern coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao, Philippines. The province is part of BARMM; Isabela City, though on Basilan Island, is administratively part of Region IX.
What is Basilan known for?
It is known for Yakan tennun weaving, rich cultural traditions, agriculture, tropical landscapes, coastal communities, and the growing work of community based tourism groups.
How do people travel there?
Travel commonly begins in Zamboanga City, followed by scheduled sea transport. Routes and timings change, so confirm directly with operators and tourism offices before departure.
Is this an official tourism site?
No. Basilan.ph is an independent editorial guide. Always confirm operational, safety, and entry information with official authorities.