Sohoton Cove: Swim with Jellyfish & Explore Hidden Lagoons

The jellyfish are the main event. Sohoton Cove, in Bucas Grande Island, gives you a full day of limestone cliffs, blue-water caves, quiet lagoons, and tropical sea life for $68 per person. I like the chance to swim with gentle jellyfish at Tojoman Lagoon, and I like the generous mix of boat travel, guided stops, and a Filipino boodle fight lunch. The catch is simple: the journey takes nearly four hours each way, so the value depends heavily on good sea conditions and whether the jellyfish are in season.

The tour is best for active families, friends, and nature lovers who enjoy a full day outside more than a quick sightseeing stop. I also appreciate that the price covers transport, permits, entrance fees, island fees, a licensed DOT-accredited guide, and lunch. Still, the experience can feel expensive if the jellyfish are scarce and rough water reduces the time at the smaller sights.

Key things to know before you book

• Tojoman Lagoon is seasonal: Jellyfish may be present outside peak season, but they are usually most abundant around July.
• Expect a long travel day: The route includes a tricycle, road transport, and about four hours total on the water.
• Hagukan Cave has glowing blue water: Light filtering into the cave creates the most atmospheric stop of the day.
• Magkukuob Cave adds a thrill: You may have the chance to jump from the cliffs into the water, but this is not required.
• Lunch is served Filipino-style: The boodle fight places grilled seafood, meat, and vegetables on banana leaves for everyone to share.
• Snorkeling gear is not included: Bring your own equipment if you want more than swimming and sightseeing.

Why Sohoton Cove is worth the long ride

Sohoton Cove is not a quick attraction you squeeze between breakfast and dinner. It is a full-day outing from the Surigao del Norte pickup area, with a chain of transfers before you reach the coves around Bucas Grande Island.

That travel time is the central question when deciding if the tour suits you. If you want the unusual experience of floating among jellyfish and entering caves by boat, the long ride is part of the price. If you mainly want a beach day, Siargao has easier options.

I like the variety here. One stop gives you calm water and small marine creatures. Another places you below high limestone walls. The caves add shade and drama, while lunch on Tikitikan Island gives the day a social, local touch.

The tour also includes the practical costs that can quietly add up on a remote island outing. You do not need to arrange separate boat transfers, permits, or entrance fees. That makes the $68 price easier to understand, even if it may still feel high compared with shorter excursions around Siargao.

From pickup to Dapa Port

Your morning begins at your accommodation or a designated pickup point in Surigao del Norte. A local tricycle collects you first, so be ready at least 10 minutes early. The vehicle may not wait long, and a late start can affect every later transfer.

The initial tricycle ride takes about 15 minutes and leads to a registration office. This check-in point is used to confirm the group and prepare everyone for the onward journey. From there, a multicab or tuk-tuk carries you toward Dapa Port, with the road transfer taking around 30 minutes.

Pay attention during this part of the morning. Ask the driver to confirm that they are working with the operator you booked. Also keep your phone and confirmation details handy, especially if your accommodation has more than one possible pickup point.

From the port, the main water journey begins. The boat transfer takes roughly two hours. That is a substantial stretch of the day, so motion sickness prevention is a smart idea if you are sensitive to rough water. Bring water, sun protection, and something dry to change into later.

The sea can alter the route. If conditions are rough, the operator may adjust the order or make minor changes for safety. That flexibility is sensible, but you should arrive with an open schedule rather than expecting every stop to run to the minute.

Tojoman Lagoon and the jellyfish season

Tojoman Lagoon is the stop that gives this outing its title. Here, you may swim among non-stinging jellyfish that move slowly through the water. The scene is less about speed or athletic ability and more about quietly sharing the lagoon with unusual marine life.

The word may matters. Jellyfish numbers change with the season, and the tour information notes that it is currently outside the main season. You might still spot a few, but the lagoon will not necessarily be filled with them. Numbers are usually at their best around July.

That seasonal detail should guide your expectations. If swimming with jellyfish is your once-in-a-lifetime reason for booking, aim for the peak period if your schedule allows. Outside that period, Sohoton Cove can still offer caves, cliffs, water, and a good lunch, but the headline attraction may be much less dramatic.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely. Do not touch marine life, and avoid littering. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes, and a waterproof bag for your phone and dry clothes.

Swimming ability matters. Participants should be in good health and able to swim, and children need adult supervision. You can enjoy the setting without treating the lagoon like a race, but you should be comfortable in the water.

Hidden lagoons beneath limestone cliffs

After the jellyfish stop, the tour moves through smaller lagoons and waterways enclosed by tall limestone cliffs and thick greenery. The scenery changes from open sea to narrow passages and sheltered water, giving the trip its sense of discovery.

These stops are suitable for swimming, kayaking, or simply sitting back and taking in the view, depending on the day’s exact route and conditions. The tour includes guided visits of about 30 minutes at several points, so you should expect a taste of each location rather than unlimited time in one lagoon.

That short timing can be a benefit. It keeps the day moving and lets you see several types of scenery. It can also feel hurried if you want long swims or extended photography sessions. If you bring a camera, protect it from spray during the boat rides. A waterproof bag is more useful here than an expensive accessory.

The cliffs and sheltered water also make this part appealing to photographers. A drone can produce striking overhead images, according to one recent assessment of the outing, but you should follow local rules and never let photography distract from safety or the environment.

Sohoton’s appeal comes from its natural setting rather than a long list of built attractions. You are not visiting a museum or a polished resort complex. You are moving through a marine area where the water, rock walls, caves, birds, fish, and plants provide the content.

Hagukan Cave and its blue water

Hagukan Cave is one of the more memorable stops. Sunlight enters through openings in the rock and gives the water shifting blue tones. The effect is strongest when the light is right, so this is a place where weather and timing matter.

Your guide leads a short visit of around 30 minutes. The cave offers relief from the strong sun and a change of mood after the open-water ride. The water and rock walls create a quiet, enclosed setting that feels very different from the larger lagoons.

Do not expect a long cave expedition. This is a guided stop, not a technical caving trip. The charm comes from the color of the water and the shape of the cave, not from a complicated route underground.

Water shoes are useful if the footing is wet or uneven. Keep your belongings secured, and listen for instructions about where you can swim or stand. The tour is designed to be accessible to people who want nature and light adventure, not only to serious athletes.

Magkukuob Cave and the optional cliff jump

Magkukuob Cave brings the most active moment of the day. The stop includes a chance for cliff jumping into the water below. If you enjoy a little height and a cold-water landing, this can be the highlight after the slower lagoon visits.

You do not need to jump to enjoy the cave. Anyone with vertigo or discomfort around heights should skip the leap. The tour specifically is not suitable for people with vertigo, pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, babies under one year, or people over 95 years old.

This is a good example of why the outing works for groups with mixed interests. One person can take the jump while another stays near the boat and watches. Children still require adult supervision, and the guide’s directions should decide when and where any jump is safe.

The cave stop lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to see the setting and consider the jump, but not necessarily enough time for a long series of attempts. Treat it as one optional moment in a larger day, not the entire purpose of the excursion.

Tikitikan Island and the boodle fight lunch

Lunch on Tikitikan Island is one of the tour’s strongest features. Food arrives on banana leaves in the Filipino boodle fight tradition, with grilled seafood, meats, and fresh vegetables arranged for communal eating.

This style of meal is informal and social. You eat with your hands, share the spread, and sit together rather than receiving separate plated courses. It creates a stronger sense of place than a standard packed lunch, and the grilled food has been praised as particularly tasty.

Portion size may be a concern for a very large group. One assessment described the meal as somewhat small for 23 people, so you may want to carry a little extra cash for snacks or drinks if permitted. The included lunch is useful and enjoyable, but I would not count on it as a huge feast.

Tell the operator about food allergies or dietary needs when booking. The stated meal includes seafood, meat, and vegetables, so advance notice matters if you need changes.

The island setting also gives you a welcome pause from the boats. After several hours of transport and water activities, sitting down to eat is not just a meal break. It gives you time to dry off, talk with your group, and enjoy the surroundings at a slower pace.

The return journey and what eight hours really means

After the final guided stop, you return by boat for about two hours. The route then reverses through public transport for about 30 minutes before you arrive back in the Surigao del Norte area.

The advertised eight hours includes all travel, activities, and lunch. That is important. You are not getting eight hours of swimming and cave visits. A large part of the day is spent reaching Sohoton Cove and returning from it.

Still, the travel has a purpose. The remote location is part of why the setting feels different from an ordinary island stop. The trade-off is time, comfort, and exposure to weather. If seas are rough, the ride may feel long, especially if you are prone to motion sickness.

I would keep the evening after the tour free. The schedule is full, and the exact return time may shift with weather, sea conditions, and group movement. This is not the day to book a tight dinner reservation or an evening transfer.

What the $68 price includes

At $68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Siargao. The price makes more sense when you add up what is covered:

• Pickup and return to your accommodation
• Tricycle and road transfers
• Boat transfers
• A licensed, DOT-accredited English-speaking guide
• Island fees and entrance fees
• Permits
• Boodle fight lunch

You still need to bring or rent snorkeling equipment separately. The tour does not include snorkeling gear, so ask about local rental options before departure if you want fins, a mask, or a snorkel.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete, organized package. You avoid arranging several rides and negotiating separate boat costs. The value is weaker if the jellyfish are out of season, the seas are rough, or you mainly want a short swim in a pretty place.

The feedback is mixed but useful. The most consistent praise centers on the friendly staff, tasty lunch, enjoyable scenery, and smooth organization. The main criticism is the amount of travel compared with the time spent at the activity stops. That is a fair concern, and you should take it seriously before paying.

Who should book this Sohoton Cove tour?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want a rare marine-life experience and accept that jellyfish numbers are seasonal
• Enjoy full-day outdoor trips with several transport stages
• Like caves, cliffs, swimming, and guided nature stops
• Are comfortable sharing a communal lunch
• Prefer an organized package with transport and fees included
• Are traveling with friends or family members who enjoy different activity levels

I would think twice if you:

• Get seasick easily and do not plan prevention
• Need a relaxed outing with little time in transit
• Are booking mainly for a large concentration of jellyfish outside July
• Prefer private meals or a quiet, independent schedule
• Have vertigo, a relevant medical condition, or difficulty swimming

The English-speaking guide is another plus. A good guide can help with timing, safety, cave access, and respect for marine life. The tour’s organization has also received strong praise, which matters when several transfers and a remote destination are involved.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. If you need to reschedule, notify the operator before 5 PM at least one day ahead. Same-day changes are not accepted.

Final call: book it for the setting, not only the jellyfish

Sohoton Cove is worth booking if you see the jellyfish as one part of a larger nature day. The caves, limestone walls, lagoons, communal lunch, and boat journey still give you plenty to remember when the lagoon has only a few jellyfish.

I would book during the stronger jellyfish season, around July, if that sight is your main goal. Outside that period, I would choose this tour only if you are happy paying for a remote, all-in day with a lot of transport. Pack for water, prepare for motion, arrive early, and keep your schedule open.

FAQ

Where is Sohoton Cove located?

Sohoton Cove is in Bucas Grande Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The tour provides round-trip transport from designated pickup points in the Siargao area.

How long does the tour last?

The complete activity takes about eight hours, including pickup, road transport, boat transfers, guided stops, and lunch.

Will I definitely swim with jellyfish?

No. Jellyfish are seasonal, and they are usually most abundant around July. Outside the peak period, you may see only a few or none at all.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a boodle fight lunch on Tikitikan Island with grilled seafood, meats, and vegetables served on banana leaves. Tell the operator about food allergies or dietary needs when booking.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling gear is not included. Bring your own equipment or ask about available rental options before the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes, cash, motion sickness prevention, a change of clothes, and a waterproof bag. Children require adult supervision, and participants should be in good health and able to swim.