Enchanted Sohoton of Bucas Grande

I’ve always wanted to visit the enchanting Sohoton in Bucas Grande Island, Surigao del Norte because of its stingless jellyfish (I have a thing for jellyfish). They can also be found in places like Palau, Indonesia, and of course, here in the Philippines. During my Siargao trip in 2013, my guide recommended the place. However, since it’s about two hours away from Siargao Island and the pump boat would have cost ₱5,000, which was quite expensive, I decided not to go.

Fortunately, my workmates invited me (or I invited myself haha) to Siargao Island and since I promised I’d return there to surf, and because Bucas Grande is part of the itinerary, I didn’t need to think twice.

Bucas Grande Island is the home of Sohoton Cove and is known for its many hidden caves, sting-less jellyfishes and beautiful lagoons. It is 2 hours away from Siargao Island and 45 minutes away from Surigao del Norte’s mainland.

How To Get There?
If you’re having a half or whole day tour, the easiest way to reach the island is by renting a private pump boat. We we’re able to rent a pump boat for 5,000 pesos for 5 person which includes the 3 islands of Siargao (Daku, Guyam and Naked Island). The route is General Luna – Sohoton – General Luna.

You can also go to Dapa Port in Siargao and take the public pump boat if you are planning to stay overnight in Bucas Grande.

On your way to the island, prepare to be amazed with the island’s jaw dropping scenery. Also, before reaching the cove, you’ll pass by the luxurious Club Tara Resort.

What To Do in Sohoton Cove?
Once you arrive in Sohoton, everyone will need to make stop here to register and pay for the activities’ fees.

Municipal Government Fees:
Entrance: 50
Lifevest and Helmet: 40
Table Charge: 50

People’s Organization:
Pumpboat : 500
Guide: 165
Paddlers: 100

Also, everyone’s highly advised to wear helmet and life jackets for safety purposes. So once everyone’s ready then you will need to transfer to a smaller motorized banca that is good for 4-5 persons.

It will take you 10-15 minutes of travel to the Sohoton Cave’s entrance when our motorized banca slowed down. That’s when the time our guide informed us that we have already arrived, however, we don’t see any entrances not until he pointed out a small mouth of a cave.

Like, srsly! That would be the entrance to the cove and that is where the name came from. Sohoton in bisaya means ‘to stoop‘ and literally, while entering the cove, you’ll subconsciously stoop although it will really not hit you. Sohoton is also accessible only if it’s low tide so you’ll need to hurry up if you don’t want to be stranded inside. *evil laugh

And here’s the other side of the cave. Welcome to Sohoton! Hurrraaaay!

First activity is the Hagukan Cave. It got its name from the word ‘haguk’ or snore because once you get inside it and the tide’s high enough to reach the mouth of the cave’s ceiling, you’ll hear a snore-like sound. So that explains it. Before you’ll reach Hagukan, you’ll pass by this horse’s foot stone formation.

Then we reached Hagukan Cave….

So the big question is ‘How to get inside?’ Simple! You will only need to submerge yourself to the bottom to cross and get inside the cave. Be reminded not to touch the stones as well! Simple right? lol

But hey! You must have forgotten that you have tour guides. So they will actually help you to submerge by pushing you to the bottom. It was a great experience actually. The last time I have to submerge to cross something was in Danao, Bohol caves.

No one wanted to do it first ’cause the guides will have to leave you inside and ALONE for a while to fetch the others. So you’ll be alone in a very unfamiliar cave for like a minute or two. And guess who went first? Tsaaaaadaaaaan! It’s me! In a blink of an eye, I’m inside the cave already. And this is how it feels once submerged.

It was a great feeling. The only thing that’s not great was to be left alone. So while waiting, I keep on checking behind me if something’s lurking in the dark or whatnot. lol

The water inside the cave is luminous and it looks like this from inside (check photo below). It’s actually me lol. Unfortunately, go pro has no flash so that’s the outcome.

Moreover, our next stop is… Magkukuob Cave where you can do spelunking and dive to exit the cave. So the guides were actually telling us to decide if we will climb up the cave or not since there’s no going back once you’re there. So everyone decided to climb up and feeling determined to jump at the exit.

The entrance of Magkukuob Cave.

Slowly getting inside the cave.

Apparently, this is not my first time to do cave spelunking. It was also not difficult for me to climb up the stones compared to Gigantes’ Bakwitan Cave. I’m not scared to go in first in an unfamiliar cave or explore it for the first time. BUT, what scares me the most are cliff jumpings. *sobs*

If you’ll read my previous posts, I’ve done cliff jumping numerous times but it still scares the hell out of me. Remember when I said we were feeling determined when we decided to climb up the cave and do cliff jumping for exit? NO, I AM NOT. I was fooling myself and tried to hide the reality that I’m scared of heights. LOL!

Anyway, when we got to the exit and the diving area, I felt dead inside immediately. Like what the hell am I doing with myself. It took almost 30 minutes before I decided that ……. jumping isn’t really for me. lol. So when they say there’s no going back? There really is. hahahahaha! Maybe that’s one of the reason why I really didn’t jump. It’s because there’s a second option where you can just climb down. And boy it was so easy! hahaha!

After the Sohoton Cove tour, we headed back and went directly to a restaurant. There, we ate together with our guide, Kuya Francis, and enjoyed chatting after all the activities we’ve done.

While having our late lunch, we were also deciding if we should go back to General Luna for our island hopping. That is where Kuya Francis suggested to visit a waterfall instead, which is not really part of the tourist spots there. Curiously, we wanted to see it for ourselves as well later on once we’re done with our jellyfish tour.

We transferred to a smaller boat where it can accommodate 2 persons only. The tour guide then started to paddle to the sanctuary. It is also called Tojoman but was later on called as Jellyfish Sanctuary. And while he is paddling towards there, I’m also enjoying myself with the majestic view of the place.

While paddling, Kuya also mentioned to me that if you are not familiar with the place, you will really get lost. Since the lime stones has the same figures then you’ll prolly get confused where to go. Also, I asked him that I’ve seen before that swimming with the jellyfishes is possible. However, since they are slowly dying and losing their tentacles ’cause of sunblock and human’s carelessness then it was already prohibited.

He also mentioned that its possible to visit the sanctuary at night as long as you are staying overnight. You will also see that jellyfishes glows at night. Damn, I’d love to see that.

After 10-15 minutes, we arrived in the sanctuary.

It was very amazing! And it’s really a once in a life time experience! Imagine you’re holding something that is considered one of the most dangerous animals in the whole world?!! I know I’m exaggerating a little bit. But just an FYI, I really like jellyfishes and I even have a tattoo of it lol!

Do you see the jellyfish??? It looks like a handful of saliva but no, it’s merely jellyfish. hihi

Then it’s time to leave Sohoton Cove and head back to Siargao 🙁 It was a really great experience with full of fun and adventure.

After 30 minutes of travel from Sohoton, we have reached the waterfall. It is really not that big but it was still refreshing!

To all who are planning to visit Bucas Grande, you can try to contact Kuya Francis at this number (09487522877). And this is him by the way.

Goodbye Bucas Grande Island!!!