Bucas Grande Travel Guide: Enchanting Islands of Sohoton

Bucas Grande

About Bucas Grande

On the other side of the surfing haven Siargao lies the town of Socorro in Surigao del Norte, home to the Bucas Grande Islands also known as the Sohoton Cove National Park.

The group of islands is blessed with numerous coves and caves, white sand beaches, mangroves forests, inland lakes, lagoons, vast fishing grounds, and vivid corals.

Magkukuob Cave
Magkukuob Cave

Be amazed with Sohoton Cove and Blue Lagoon – a maze-like lagoon consisting of limestone islets where the only way in or out is the cave entrance that vanishes during high tide. Another must see is the Tojoman or Jellyfish Lagoon, home to millions of non-stinging jellyfish.With its unique seascape and landscape,  the place promises everyone a truly unforgettable, enchanting and extraordinary experience in this part of Mindanao. Visit Bucas Grande and be enchanted with its natural beauty.

Tiktikan Lagoon
Tiktikan Lagoon

How to Get to Bucas Grande

From Surigao City

Surigao City, capital of Surigao del Norte is the main jump-off point to Bucas Grande Islands. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights from Manila to Surigao City Airport while Cebu Pacific also has daily flight from Cebu.

From Surigao City, you can go directly to its port where motorized boats to Socorro dock and from Socorro hire another boat going to Bucas Grande. Alternatively, you may skip the main town of Socorro and head straight to Bucas Grande by catching a van (P120) or bus going to Claver, get off at the Hayanggabon Port and transfer to a boat going to Bucas Grande.

From Butuan

If you are coming from Butuan, catch a bus to Surigao City and get of at Bad-as junction, travel time is two hours and fare ranges from P160 to P196 one-way. From Bad-as junction, transfer to a van (P90) or bus going to Claver and get off at the Hayanggabon Port, then catch a boat going to Bucas Grande.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights to Butuan City from Manila while  Cebu Pacific also has daily flight from Cebu.

From Siargao

From Dapa Port in Siargao, catch a ferry going to Socorro. There are ferries that leave in the morning and in the afternoon, fare is around P100.00. From Socorro hire another boat going to Bucas Grande.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Skyjet fly from Clark, Cebu and Manila to Siargao.

La Fortuna
La Fortuna

Where to Stay in Bucas Grande

Budget travelers may opt to stay in these places that are managed by local people’s organization and cooperatives:

  • Cinnamon Island Cottage
    Managed by Strengthened Association of Volunteers for the Environment of Sohoton (SAVE Sohoton)
    Rate: P2,500/room per night with free breakfast (for 1-5 person); additional P500/person in excess of five
    Contact No: +639488205835 Roldan (Operations Manager)
  • Tiktikan Lake Cottage
    Managed by three people’s organization named TASG
    Rate: P150-200 per person (Open air cottage)
    Contact No: +639399047019 Dodo (Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager)
  • SIFAI Cottage
    Managed by Sohoton Integrated Farmers Association Incorporated
    Rate: P1,000/room per night (good for 3 persons)
    Contact No: +639399047019 Dodo (Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager)

You may also opt to stay in these private resorts:

  • Sohoton Bay Resort
  • Sohoton Nakiauit Resort
  • La Fortuna

Another alternative is to stay in Socorro town proper. The municipal training center have dorm type room with shared toilet and bath for as low P200/night per person.

For high end tourists, Club Tara Resort and Hidden Island Resort offer world class accommodation and amenities.

  • Club Tara Resort
    Contact No: 09175225500
  • Hidden Island Resort
    Contact No: 09173282448
Club Tara
Club Tara

What to Do in Bucas Grande

    • Island hopping and boating
    • Tour in Sohoton Cove, a maze-like place consisting of limestone islets, where the only way in or out is the cave entrance passable only during low tide. Hagukan Cave, which can only be entered also during low tide is decorated with magnificent stalactites in its ceiling that become home to hundreds of bats.  Magkukuob Cave, another exciting spot inside the cove leads to a cliff, the best way out is to jump off this cliff.
    • Swim with millions of no-sting, friendly and playful jellyfish of Tojoman or Jellyfish Lagoon and Lubogon Lagoon
    • Spelunking in Bolitas Cave, Crystal Cave and other caves in the area. Bolitas Cave is home to balinsasayaw, a rare bird that produces a very expensive bird’s nest that is a popular soup ingredient in Chinese restaurants
    • Trek and have a boat ride in Tiktikan Lake and twelve other lakes in the area
    • Dive or snorkel to see the magnificent corals in the area. The best snorkeling site is near Marka-a Island
    • Go beach hopping in Marka-a Island, La Fortuna and other white sand beaches in the area
    • Cliff diving in Tiktikan Lagoon
    • Go surfing in Siargao
    • Head south to Tinuy-an Falls and Brittania Group of Islands in Surigao del Sur
    • Camping
    • Kayaking
Bubon Lake
Bubon Lake

Tips

  • Sohoton National Park can be reached via three hours boat ride from Siargao. The best time of the year to go there is during summer where no-sting jellyfish are observed to be in the the area, although the guaranteed sightings of these jellyfish are during April to June.
  • Rate of island hopping tour of Bucas Grande Islands (including the transfer from Hayangabon Port in Claver or Socorro town proper) ranges from P1,500-P2,000 per day for a boat that can accommodate up to 10 or 15 passengers; P500-P1,000 for boat that can accommodate less than 10 passengers
  • You may contact the Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager Dodo at +639399047019 for boat reservations, booking on Titikan and SIFAI Cottage and other inquiries about Sohoton
Marka-a Island
Marka-a Island

* First published: 05-July-2009

Comments

  1. merun poh bang boat na marerentahan whole day tour tapos 2 persons lang samalat..

  2. halow good day…just want to ask if may tour package kayo good for 2 persons lang..punta sana kami jan dis april 9-10..need your reply tanx

  3. catherine

    Could anybody tell me if it is suitable to visit from July to August? Is it a rainy season during those months? Typhoons? Thanks!

  4. Cristina

    Hi,
    Just dropping by, I like your blog so informative. But I would like to ask if it is possible to have a memorable trip from Davao City heading Bucas Grande Island going south to Britannia Island then next to Tinuy-an and Enchanted River then back to Davao in just three days? I am expecting a positive reply to my query, since we are planning to spent my vacation in Surigao this coming May.

    Hopeful,
    Tina

  5. Hi po ill ask lng po kung sino ang pweding mkuntak sa reservation sa boat at accomodation po?! Salamat po

  6. Marlkrim Dominguez

    Hi po me and my friends r planning to spent our holyweek vacation sa bucas island…can i ask po kung knino kmi pweding kmuntak for the boat as well as for the accomodation?were planning na mgstay sa mura lng po na matutulogan?!….i need ur reply po Asap…this is the best place to relax.
    Salamat po

  7. […] Luna! You want to dive? Check out Cathedral Cave! You want more? See Magpupungko Tidal Pools and Bucas Grande Islands, or go fishing, snorkeling, trekking and biking then feast with the fresh bounty of the sea! […]

  8. Hiyee, If I’m traveling alone, is it possible to tour Bucas Grande inexpensively? I noticed kase na pang rich/group ung rates ung sa tour boat 🙁 Any advise for me? Thanks!

  9. […] Visit Bucas Grande Islands/Sohoton Cove […]

  10. KIM

    mga magkano kya approximately ang expenses?

  11. Karla

    Hi Lakwatsero,

    We’re planning to go to Bucas Grande next year, I would like to check if you know the bus schedule from Surigao City going to Claver (Hayanggabon Port). We plan to take the alternative route to Bucas as we will be arriving in Surigao City in the afternoon (from Manila). Also, I would like to ask where can I find the bus bound to Claver from Surigao City airport.

    Thanks!

    1. cba

      hi karla,

      if may i answer your queries – you can take the bus from surigao city to tandag which leaves at regular intervals, just tell the driver you are dropping off at Hayanggabon. the bus terminal is just a stone’s throw from the airport. enjoy!

  12. Iris

    Hello! Tanong ko lang po kung may schedule po ba yung boat from Hayanggabon Port to Bucas Grande or anytime pwede mag-hire ng boat? Salamt po.

    1. cba

      hi iris,

      you can hire a boat, please reach the park’s tourist info number above.

  13. Nino Henry

    Hi! My wife and I are planning to go this September to Sohoton Cove. The thing is we only have technically 1 day to enjoy the place. Bale, side trip namin siya of my business trip in Surigao. Can you suggest an itinerary? Must do/visit in the area in such a short time?
    From Surigao City, I plan to drive Hanggayabon Port at around 5am. From there, I do not know what to do next. I plan to drive back home to Davao at around Lunch time.

    Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

    1. try to call this number sir 09197871825 / 09262948116 for assistance. .

  14. Don

    Sir me, my wife and 2 friends are going to travel to Butuan on Sept 19 to Sunday morning of Sept 22. I just would like to ask kung possible bang pagsabayin ang Bukas Grande + Sohoton Caves + Cloud 9 sa 3 nights/3 days? Tnx

    1. Lakwatsero

      May I know the exact time of your flights?

      1. Don

        Sir Salamat sa reply, Thanks in advance….more power

        Flight Details
        Manila to Butuan
        Thu 19 Sep 2013, 0745H – Thu 19 Sep 2013, 0915H

        Butuan to Manila
        Sun 22 Sep 2013, 0945H – Sun 22 Sep 2013, 1115H

        1. Lakwatsero

          Hi Don, the last trip of ferry from Surigao to Siargao leaves at 12 noon, travel time from Butuan to Surigao is around two hours. If everything is on time and smooth, well it is possible. But expect the unexpected… delays and waiting time, so I am afraid that you will going to miss the 12 noon ferry to Siargao. But you may still try though. I am thinking of this itinerary:

          PLAN A

          Day 1:
          – AM: Arrival in Butuan
          – Butuan to Surigao
          – PM: Surigao to Dapa (Siargao)
          – Cloud 9 / Magpupungko

          Day 2:
          – AM: Island Hopping in General Luna
          – PM: Dapa to Socorro (Bucas Grande)

          Day 3:
          – AM: Tour Sohoton Cave / Bucas Grande
          – PM: Bucas Grande / Soccoro to Surigao or Claver
          – Surigao to Butuan

          Day 4:
          – AM: Butuan to Manila

          The itinerary above is quite hectic, you cannot afford delays specially on day 1, And you have to be in Butuan on the night of the 21st. Another alternative, if you miss t6he boat to Siargao would be:

          PLAN B

          Day 1:
          – AM: Arrival in Butuan
          – Butuan to Surigao
          – PM: Surigao to Soccoro (Bucas Grande) 1230PM Boat (if you missed it, proceed by bus/van to Claver)
          – Claver to Bucas Grande
          – Tour Sohoton Cave / Bucas Grande (Stay in Bucas Grande)

          Day 2:
          – AM: Bucas Grande to Soccoro to Dapa (Siargao)
          – PM: Dapa to Socorro (Bucas Grande)
          – Cloud 9 / Magpupungko

          Day 3:
          – AM: Island Hopping in General Luna
          – PM: Dapa (Siargao) to Surigao
          – Surigao to Butuan

          Day 4:
          – AM: Butuan to Manila

          Whatever itinerary you create, just be flexible, expect the unexpected and be aware of the boat schedule 🙂
          I hope you enjoy Siargao and Bucas Grande.

          1. Don

            As always….Thank you for the 2nd time Sir Lakwatsero.

  15. Junglesleeve

    Pwedi natin siyang gawin nga nature laboratory, ang pwedi lang pumunta doon ay mga researchers, students, teachers scientist, basta gagawa ng research hindi para e exploit ang lugar, gawin research ecotourism….

  16. danny

    we’re going there next week… any tips? transpo, hotel, guide, souvenir, food, etc?

  17. irene

    Hi…I would just to inquire if you could suggest a cheaper accommodation just for 1 night only. and also u mention in that there is municipal training center a dormitory type, do u have a contact number? Thanks
    Irene

  18. John

    We’ll be there on June 21. Any tips you can share to us?

  19. beige

    we are planning to visit Bucas Grande this mid of april, question if we take the route surigao city bound to dapa what time yung boat going socorro? and how much? we will arrive surigao city port bt 4:00 AM ang first trip ba ng ferry is 4am going to dapa?

    1. cba

      hi beige,

      boat schedule from surigao city to dapa pier ; 5:30am; 10:30am and 12:00 noon

    2. hi beige
      regarding po sa boat trip schedule goig to our place from Dapa_Bucas Grande Island (Socorro)first trip is 6:30 am,second trip 8 am and last trip is 4 pm daily.

  20. Michael James

    di po ba delikado dito?im worried lang kase sa mindanao sya…

    1. Mindanao is generally a safe place and Bucas Grande is one of the safest places. Mindanao is a big island and the conflicts are contained only in remote places mostly on the west.

    2. tama safety talaga sa place namin . . . . i

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