Sohoton Cove: Swim with Jellyfish & Explore Hidden Lagoons

Nature keeps its best rooms locked.

Sohoton Cove takes you across Bucas Grande Island to Tojoman Lagoon, limestone cliffs, blue-water caves, and a communal Filipino lunch on Tikitikan Island. I like the unusual chance to swim beside gentle jellyfish, and I like the friendly, well-organized service reported on the tour. The main catch is value: at $68 per person, with about four hours spent traveling, the day may feel costly if jellyfish are out of season.

The tour is most rewarding when the sea is calm and the jellyfish are plentiful, usually around July. Outside that period, you may see only a few, so you should book for the full mix of scenery, caves, lunch, and boat travel rather than for the jellyfish alone.

The five details that shape your day

• Tojoman Lagoon jellyfish swim: The non-stinging jellyfish are the tour’s signature sight, but numbers vary sharply by season.
• Four hours on the water and roads: Round-trip transport takes a large share of the eight-hour day, so expect the journey to be part of the experience.
• Magkukuob Cave includes cliff jumping: This stop adds a dose of nerve to an otherwise scenic outing, though you should only jump if you feel fully comfortable.
• Hagukan Cave glows blue: Sunlight filtering through the cave creates changing shades in the water, making this a strong stop for photographers.
• Boodle fight lunch on Tikitikan Island: Grilled seafood, meat, and vegetables are served on banana leaves for everyone to share.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Snorkeling equipment is not included, and a waterproof bag is especially useful.

Why Sohoton Cove feels different from a standard island trip

Sohoton Cove is not a quick beach stop. It is a full-day outing from the Siargao area, with a local tricycle, road transfers, and roughly two hours by boat in each direction. That sounds like a lot because it is, but the long ride takes you toward a quieter, more enclosed part of the region, where limestone walls and lagoons replace the usual open-sea beach view.

The setting is Bucas Grande Island in Surigao del Norte. Here, tall limestone cliffs surround narrow waterways and small lagoons. The sense of discovery comes less from one grand monument and more from moving through a series of natural spaces: open sea, sheltered water, cave interiors, and forested rock.

I would not choose this tour if your only goal is to spend the day swimming. I would choose it if you enjoy changing scenery, guided exploration, and the chance to see places that are difficult to reach independently.

The pickup from Siargao takes patience

Your morning begins with a local tricycle collecting you at the designated pickup point. Be ready at least 10 minutes early. The tricycle can wait only briefly, and a slow start can create problems later because the boat schedule and group registration need to line up.

The first road segment takes about 15 minutes by tricycle. You then check in at a registration office, where the group is accounted for and the tour arrangements are confirmed. From there, a multicab or tuk-tuk takes you toward Dapa Port, with this road transfer lasting about 30 minutes.

Ask the driver to confirm that they are working with the local operator you booked. This is a simple step, but it is useful when several vehicles are serving the port area. Keep your confirmation details handy and wait at the exact pickup location provided for your booking.

The road and boat transfers are included in the price. That matters because the cost of reaching Sohoton Cove is not a small extra added at the end. Island fees, entrance charges, permits, and boat transfers are all covered.

The two-hour boat ride sets the pace

The boat trip to the cove takes about two hours. It is the biggest practical issue in the tour, and it deserves an honest look before you book.

If you enjoy being on the water, this is part of the pleasure. You get time to watch the coast change and to settle into the day. If you are prone to seasickness, the same ride may feel long, especially if the sea is rough. Bring motion sickness prevention, water, sun protection, and a waterproof bag for phones and other valuables.

Weather can change the route or cause the trip to be rescheduled or canceled. Rough seas may also lead to small changes in the order of activities. The boat journey is not just transport from point A to point B, so keep your schedule flexible and do not plan a tight evening commitment after the tour.

Once you reach the Sohoton area, the pace changes. The boat carries you into a more sheltered setting, and the guide begins showing you the natural features that are easy to miss without local help.

Tojoman Lagoon and the jellyfish question

Tojoman Lagoon is the headline stop. In the right season, you can enter the water among gentle, non-stinging jellyfish. They drift below and around you, creating an odd but peaceful swimming experience. You are not watching them in a tank or from a boat. You are sharing their water.

The timing matters. Jellyfish are not currently in their peak season, which is around July. You may still spot a few outside that period, but you should not assume the lagoon will be filled with them.

That seasonal note changes how I would judge the tour. At peak time, the jellyfish may justify much of the cost for someone seeking a rare wildlife encounter. Outside peak time, the rest of the tour needs to carry the day: the caves, cliffs, lagoons, lunch, and boat journey.

Follow the guide’s instructions around the animals. Do not touch marine life, and avoid treating the lagoon like a swimming pool. The point is to observe the jellyfish in their home, not to handle them.

You should also be able to swim and be in generally good health. Children need adult supervision. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with vertigo, people with pre-existing medical conditions, babies under one year, or people over 95.

Limestone lagoons reward a slow look

After Tojoman Lagoon, the tour visits enclosed lagoons surrounded by limestone cliffs and greenery. These are good places to swim, take photographs, or simply sit in the boat and look upward.

The cliffs give the water a different character from Siargao’s open beaches. Instead of a broad horizon, you get walls, bends, shadows, and narrow passages. The scenery changes as the boat moves, so keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray.

The tour description allows time for swimming and kayaking in the lagoon areas, though the included equipment list does not mention kayaks. Do not assume every activity or piece of equipment is available unless the guide confirms it on the day. Snorkeling gear is specifically not included, so bring your own if you want to use it.

These lagoon stops are also where the tour’s nature focus becomes clear. Tropical fish, birds, and unusual plant life may appear along the route. You will get more from the stop if you pause between photographs and watch the water and cliff edges.

Hagukan Cave turns the water electric blue

Hagukan Cave is one of the more atmospheric stops. Sunlight enters through openings and reflects through the water, producing blue tones that shift as the light changes.

The cave is worth approaching with realistic expectations. This is a short guided visit, not an extended expedition underground. Its appeal is the contrast between the dark rock, the water, and the flashes of color. If you enjoy photography, this may be one of the strongest parts of the day.

Conditions inside a cave can make footing and movement less predictable. Wear water shoes if you have them, listen to the guide, and keep your waterproof bag close. The supplied information does not promise a particular swimming time or lighting condition, so the exact look of the cave will depend on weather and the position of the sun.

Magkukuob Cave adds a choice, not an obligation

Magkukuob Cave brings the day’s most active moment. The stop includes a cliff-jumping opportunity into the water below.

That sounds exciting, but you do not need to jump to enjoy the cave. If you have vertigo, feel unsure about the height, or simply do not like cliff jumps, stay out of the activity. A good guide will help you understand the conditions, but you remain responsible for your own choice.

The tour is designed for people in good health who can swim. Even so, ability and comfort are different things. I would treat the jump as an optional extra, not as a test of courage or a required part of the experience.

Allow roughly 30 minutes for the guided cave stop. The short duration means the group may need to keep moving, especially if several people want a turn. This is an active sightseeing visit, not a private session with unlimited time.

Tikitikan Island serves lunch with a social side

Lunch is a boodle fight on Tikitikan Island. Food is arranged on banana leaves, and the group shares grilled seafood, meats, and fresh vegetables. You eat together rather than receiving an individual plated meal.

This style of lunch fits the setting. After a morning around caves and lagoons, sitting down to shared food feels relaxed and distinctly Filipino. It also creates a natural break from the boat and gives you a chance to talk with the rest of the group.

The meal has drawn praise for its flavor, but quantity may be a concern for a large group. One account described lunch for 23 people as a little limited. I would not arrive expecting an enormous feast, especially if you have a large appetite or dietary restrictions.

Tell the operator about food allergies or dietary needs before booking. Bring cash for personal extras, and consider carrying a small snack if you know you need more food between meals. The boodle fight is included, but additional food is not mentioned as part of the package.

The return journey can feel longer than the way out

After lunch and the remaining lagoon visit, the boat returns toward the port. The journey takes about two hours again, followed by roughly 30 minutes of public road transport and the final tricycle transfer.

This is when the tour’s value becomes a personal calculation. The total activity time is about eight hours, but the round-trip transport accounts for close to four hours. Some people will see that as the price of reaching a remote natural area. Others will feel they spent too much of the day getting there.

The best approach is to treat the boat ride as part of Sohoton Cove, not as wasted time. Still, the criticism about cost is fair. At $68, the package is reasonable if you value the included transfers, permits, guide, lunch, and access to several sites. It is less attractive if you compare it with shorter, cheaper Siargao excursions.

The English-speaking guide is licensed and Department of Tourism accredited. That gives the day structure, particularly around cave visits, boat movements, and safety instructions. The operator is Maricel Tour Services, and the service has been described as friendly and well organized.

What to pack for an eight-hour day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimsuit or beachwear
• A change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water shoes
• Waterproof bag
• Cash
• Motion sickness prevention
• Snorkeling gear if you want to use it

You will want dry clothes for the ride home. A waterproof phone pouch is useful even if you do not plan to swim, since boat spray and wet gear can make ordinary bags unreliable.

Do not touch the jellyfish or other marine life. Avoid litter, follow the guide’s instructions, and remember that this is a protected natural setting rather than an amusement park.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you like full-day outings, boat travel, caves, unusual wildlife, and group meals. Families with older children may enjoy the variety, provided children are supervised and can swim. Friends will get the most from the shared lunch and optional cliff jump.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long transfers, get seasick, need a quiet private day, or are booking mainly for the jellyfish outside July. You may still enjoy Sohoton Cove, but your expectations should center on the whole route.

Photography-minded visitors should also take note. The cliffs, cave water, and lagoon views can produce excellent images, and aerial photographs can be especially striking if you have a drone and are allowed to use it responsibly. Do not let a drone disturb wildlife or other groups.

Should you pay $68 for Sohoton Cove?

Book this tour if you want a convenient, organized way to reach a remote island area and you value having the guide, fees, boats, transfers, and lunch handled in one package. The service has earned praise for being fun and well arranged, and the mix of jellyfish, caves, cliffs, and communal food is unusual.

Think twice if you expect a packed jellyfish lagoon year-round or if the price feels high for a day with four hours of transport. Around July, the jellyfish may make the experience easier to justify. Outside that period, book only if Hagukan Cave, Magkukuob Cave, the lagoons, and the long boat ride sound worthwhile on their own.

FAQ

How long does the Sohoton Cove tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including road transfers, the boat journey, guided visits, lunch, and the return trip.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from designated accommodation points in Surigao del Norte and Siargao areas specified in your confirmation. A local tricycle collects you first, followed by transfers toward Dapa Port.

How long is the boat ride to Sohoton Cove?

The boat ride takes about two hours each way.

Can I swim with jellyfish on this tour?

You may swim with non-stinging jellyfish in Tojoman Lagoon, but jellyfish numbers depend on the season. They are most abundant around July, and outside that period you may see only a few.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A boodle fight lunch is included, with grilled seafood, meats, and vegetables served on banana leaves.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Is cliff jumping required at Magkukuob Cave?

No. Magkukuob Cave offers a cliff-jumping opportunity, but the supplied information does not state that you must jump.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Tours depend on weather conditions. Rough seas may lead to route changes, while severe weather can result in rescheduling or cancellation.