You know the feeling you get when you are in a place and its beauty takes the breath out of you? That by the time you go home and return to your usual routine, the experience is still vivid and alive you wish you could go back right then and there?
This exactly describes my Sohoton experience.
It took me a while to come up with this blog post about my recent travel to Sohoton, Bucas Grande Islands but I still can’t keep my excitement from spilling out when I talk of that place! (DISCLAIMER: This is a very long blog post because I wouldn't want to miss out the places we've been to.)
FOR STARTERS
Dubbed as mini-#Palawan of Mindanao, Sohoton, Bucas Grande is located at Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Surigao, being on the coastal side of the country, is blessed with peaceful shorelines, crystal clear waters and breath-taking destinations from beaches to lakes, lagoons and even waterfalls! Picturesque and relaxing, Sohoton is a tropical paradise home to various flora and fauna most especially its infamous Stingless Jellyfish – their must see attraction.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Davao City, you could ride a bus going to Surigao City. From Surigao Bus Terminal, you will need to ride a habal-habal motorcycle or jeepney going to Hayanggabon Port. Hayanggabon Port is the jump off site for island hopping both to Sohoton and the now-trending Siargao Island (which is just 2-3 hours away from Sohoton). Renting a private van is also an option if you want a non-stop travel to the port. Travel time is 8-9 hours.
There are a number of boat operators in the port and if you are a large group, you could rent a boat for Php 3,500-Php 4000 good for the entire trip (arrange with them beforehand) but be sure to reach the port before 11am in the morning and 4PM in the afternoon (for morning trips, operators usually depart by 10am to 11am and between 3pm to 4pm n the afternoon.)
But if you want an organized trip like ours, I suggest that you book a package tour from travel agencies. In our case, we booked for a 2 days 1 night Sohoton tour for Php 2900 at WANDERLAAGS and I super recommend them as we enjoyed a hassle-free and relaxing trip! (See their inclusions below.)
DESTINATIONS:
📍 Bucas Grande Island 📍Jellyfish Sanctuary
📍 Magkukuob Cave and Cliff diving 📍 Club Tara
📍 Crystal Cave 📍 Hagokan Cove
📍 Bubon Island/White Island 📍 Tiktikan Lagoon
📍 Sohoton Cove 📍 Tiktikan Lake
📍 Marka-a Island 📍 Isla Giti/Isla Puyo
INCLUSIONS:
✔ Transpo from Davao-Sohoton-Davao (Their van is spacious and comfy for 14 pax)
✔ All Entrance Fees
✔ Docking Fee
✔ Accomodation for 1 night stay (Dorm Type room)
✔ Roundtrip Boat from Hayanggabon Port to Sohoton (Island Hopping)
✔ Free use of Go Pro (! unit to be shared)
✔ Free Tour Photographer (The guide is also the photographer and they take awesome pictures, y'all!)
EXCLUSIONS
✖ Meals
✖ Travel Insurance
FIRST, let me give you a heads up as to why I am over-the-clouds excited for this trip. Growing up with strict parents, I'm rarely allowed to travel for fun and would have to BEG permission at least 1 month or 3 weeks before the trip (especially if it is overnight and BF is present). But when I asked permission to go this time, I got a silent but an easy-breezy approval from Papa and Mama (fist pumped so high in the sky I could no longer see it. Haha) Maybe because they could finally see that I am 23 years old and I need a life. (Thanks, pa!)
JUMP OFF
We left Davao on a Friday night (9:30 PM) and arrived at 5:30 in the morning of Saturday at Hayanggabon port. We did a short stopover at a food counter at Mawab, around 11:30PM to eat and take CR breaks. At 5am, approaching the port, we were greeted by a gloomy, sepia-toned sky, an aftermath of last night’s heavy rainfall, which gave off an ambience like that of a vintage movie. Top it off with the cool sea breeze and I could already say that this trip is perfect – even if we are not yet in the main destination.
As I’ve mentioned, we booked for a joiners tour so we were accompanied by different groups. Some are lovers, circle of friends and solo travelers. What makes package tours fun is that you also meet different people who you may befriend along the trip. :)
Before leaving the port, we chipped in Php 405.00 pesos each for our meals good for lunch, dinner and breakfast of the following day. The port has a nearby market where our guides went to buy our goods. Everyone was still sleepy from the long ride but alert with anticipation for the day’s activities. So by the time the engine roared, everyone was up in their seats, all eyes on the magnificent view welcoming us.
I could not put to words the calming effect of the boat ride. Maybe it’s the lush greenery enveloping the islands. Maybe it’s the blue-green waters so inviting I would jump in without a second thought. Maybe it’s about the smell of sea breeze. Or maybe it’s just that realization that I am here. I am living in the moment. And I finally got to taste freedom after 23 years.
Side note: Not seen on the picture is the massive erosion and destruction brought by mining on the mountains of Surigao. It is a very heartbreaking sight. During the entire trip where we were surrounded by these beautiful green scenery, we can't hep but feel sorry to the mountains who were also once beautiful, but now destroyed.
ACCOMODATION
Our accommodation was a cozy home stay nestled in a secluded area of Sohoton Grande. There is a mini sari-sari store offering instant food and drinks but can also cook food for the group if there are ingredients available. Our room is dorm type but with spacious double-bunk beds, cool air-condition and separate toilet and bath. What I really loved about it is that it gives us the serenity and tranquility we craved for when we are in the hustle and bustle of the city.
Adventure-ready!
FIRST DAY
After settling our things, we jumped off to our first stop of the 2-day tour: Crystal and Bolitas Cave
The cave was an ordinary cave with a few crystal and rock formations. (My heart is still with Puting Buhangin Cave at Agusan del Sur when we talk about caving) Upon entering, locals would give you a flashlight so you could take a look around the cave’s stalactite and stalagmite formations. Our guide told us that there used to be bats and Balinsasayaw birds inhabiting inside but with the flock of tourists visiting the area, there were close to none that can be seen on the cave.
JUST SO YOU KNOW: When differentiating STALAGMITES AND STALACTITES, always remember that StalaGmites are rock formations on the GROUND, hence G. While stalaCtites are from the CEILING, hence C. *wink wink*
NEXT STOP: Tiktikan Lake and Lagoon
The sun is unsurprisingly showing off its might that day but that didn’t stop us to soak and plunge at Tiktikan Lake and Lagoon. Ella and I are raving about jumping from the diving board approximately 15-20 feet from the water but unfortunately lack the bravery to achieve it. So we ended up just taking pictures instead.
There is also a dragon slide in the area (which we didn’t get to experience because we ran out of time).
By lunch time, we went back to our homestay and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch with Sinugbang isda and fish tinola as viand. We rested a bit and, by 1pm, went on to our next destination.
SOHOTON COVE
This is an area where smaller boats operated by locals are docked. From the big boat we rode as a group, we were transferred to smaller boats with 8 people as passengers. These boats have no roofs so we got to enjoy the scenery all the more during the trip. Each boat has 2 local tour guides to accompany us.
I appreciate how the people of this island strive hard to accommodate tourists and at the same time utilized the opportunity to create jobs for their locals.
We then started the tour and our eyes were blessed with the magnificent surroundings around us. Everywhere you look, crystal clear waters would reflect back at you. The rock formations echoed that of Palawan, only that it is smaller and more covered with trees and plants.
We went under a cave which our guide said is not passable when the tide is high. Kind of like Puerto Princesa’s underground river cave but only around 50 meters long. (We didn't take much pictures because our phones might get wet but I'll be sharing Kirby's travel video in a different post so you could see it in motion.)
After passing through the cave, our guides brought us to HAGOKAN CAVE.
This is actually an underwater cave with a very low ceiling at the entrance. When it is high tide, you would need to dive and hold your breath for about 10 seconds to enter the cave.
Fortunately, we only have to lower our heads to pass the entrance. Upon entering the cave, we were amazed by its high ceiling and luminous green waters (think of bio-luminescent beach at Maldives). It has a cathedral-like feeling mixed with a private pool. This is one of our favorite destinations. :)
Pictures can't do justice for the luminiscent green waters.
MAGKUKUOB CAVE AND CLIFF DIVING.
For adrenaline junkies or brave souls as Ella and I joked, this is a must-have experience if you’re visiting Sohoton. The cave’s exit is actually a cliff where you have to jump in order to go back to the boat. In short, there is no other way out but to jump! However, for those who just simply enjoy looking at cliff-jumpers, you have an option to stay in the boat.
The cave is a short trip but would pose a challenge especially because it is ascending. The way up is challenging and because it is slippery and dark, we would have to rely on our guides so as not to fall! But upon climbing the exit, the rock formations of the cave gave us a very beautiful backdrop for our picture. Plus, we also got to unleash our inner Gryffindor selves when we jumped off its cliff!
By around 3:30PM we returned to the dock and transferred to our original boat, bringing us to MARKA-A Island. This time, our energy level was already dropping while the sun’s heat is at its extreme. We opted to stay inside the boat (because there is no shaded area we could stay) but our guides insisted to come out for a drone shot. Hence, this.
After Marka-a Island, we also visited ISLA GITI or ISLA PUYO. Just an ordinary beach but would do good for your Instagram feeds.
That would have ended our trip for Day 1. But, feeling a little bit more enthusiastic, our tour mates insisted to visit CLUB TARA as the last destination for the day. Our guides happily obliged and it took us another 10 minutes to go there.
Kirby, Ella and I decided not to go as it is low-tide and the place did not strike as interesting to us. We were seduced by the waters where our boat was docked so we opted to just swim around instead. But later, after the trip, when all the pictures were uploaded by the guides, we kind of regretted not going.
We went home by 5:30 PM, washed up and relaxed while waiting for dinner. Again, the food did not disappoint, causing Kirby to forget his diet for 2 days. (Hahaha)
Hello 2nd day!
Our destinations for 2nd Day include BUBON ISLAND/WHITE ISLAND and JELLYFISH SANCTUARY.
There were only 5 of us who went swimming as our tour mates find it tiring to wash up afterwards. But we had the most fun on the second day.
BUBON ISLAND/WHITE ISLAND
This is actually a long stretch of sand bar when it is low tide. But when we arrived there, the water is waist-deep but really clear that we can’t help but swim. Our guides also took drone photos of us and trust me when I say everyone on the boat who did not experience the beach is drooling with envy over our photos.
Need I say more?
If WHITE ISLAND is so dreamy in pictures, JELLYFISH SANCTUARY makes the dream alive in reality.
At the start of the tour, the guides already prepped us with the fact that it is not Jellyfish breeding season. And, if we are lucky, we could only see around 3-5 of them. That made me sad at first, because I really look forward to swimming with the jelly cuties. However, on the day we visited the sanctuary (the operator of our boat has a docking port where jellyfishes are also found), we were greeted not by one, two, or three jellyfishes but many of them! (Although they appear one by one). The area was also like a big circular pool with a small hut and fish cages on the docking area.
I wouldn’t be able to justify the beauty of the place in pictures as we immediately jumped on the water upon seeing the third jellyfish approaching but it really is the kind of place you’d wish to be a location of a film or TV series. (I am really regretting not taking pictures of the place. Huhu)
I was hesistant to hold the jellies at first because they’re too soft and fragile, I might kill them! Haha. Also, I didn’t have any pictures holding them so just trust me when I say that a.) they really stingless! b.) they're too squishy! and c.) they're too fragile so put them back gently in the water because you wouldn't want these poor jelly babies to lose their tentacles.
I didn’t mind the sun or being burnt by it at all. I was just so happy to be swimming in this beautiful place.
The JELLYFISH SANCTUARY was a beautiful finale to a long-anticipated, super-craved for trip.
This is one of those places you wish you could stay forever. So if you could, GO. UNWIND. BE CAPTIVATED by Sohoton’s charm and wonders. You'll never regret it!
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