Unwinding at Sohoton, Bucas Grande Islands (Day 1)

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.

Since the pandemic left us locked in the safety of our homes, I'd like to reminisce my past travels and share it with you. My first in the list: Sohoton Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao Del Norte.

BUT 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!)

LET'S GO!

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 breathtaking 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 to tour you around the islands.

JUMP OFF

As for us, we booked for an organized tour with Wanderlaags. 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.

Gloomy Hayanggabon Port upon our arrival.

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.

What fills your eyes will also fill your heart. Sohoton is an escape from busy cars, crowded streets and the fast-paced city life. Here you will slow down and take in all of Mother Nature's beauty.

WHERE WE STAYED

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. We stayed at a dorm-type room 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.

DAY ONE

FIRST STOP: Crystal and Bolitas Cave

The huge, dome-like cave welcomes tourists with its 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.

Crystal Cave has a rock formation that resembles a cathedral (1st photo above). It has a few crystal stalagmite and stalactites where tourists can pose (3rd photo). Meanwhile, Bolitas Cave's significant feature is its low passageway (middle photo) where you need to crouch down so you could get out of the cave.

On the way to the cave :)

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 just can't give justice for the luminescent green waters inside.

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.

Our tour mates posing for Club Tara. It's so good for picture taking! (Photo Courtesy: Wanderlaags)

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!

Since we are in the middle of nowhere, the beautiful night sky became the best ending to a memorable day. Sorry, I got no pictures because my phone's night mode sucks!

Read the Part 2 of our Sohoton Escapade in the next post! See you!