Siargao:Sohoton Island Hopping Tour with Jellyfish Sanctuary

The best part happens below the surface. Siargao’s Sohoton tour pairs striking limestone caves with a rare swim among non-stinging jellyfish, giving you two very different nature experiences in one long day. I especially like the half-submerged entrance to Sohoton Cove and the chance to see jellyfish in their natural setting.

The main drawback is the pace and value. You spend more than an hour reaching the island, then move through several stops in a fairly tight schedule. At $88 per person, the included boats, permits, guides, lunch, and transfers help justify the price, but the day will feel expensive if the jellyfish are hard to spot or the buffet runs short.

Key points at a glance

• Jellyfish require a real swim: You may need to go about two meters underwater to see them clearly, so bring goggles if you have them.
• Sohoton is the visual highlight: Its half-submerged cave entrance, limestone formations, and seven green islets create the most memorable setting of the day.
• Expect a long water journey: The boat ride from Dapa Port to Bucas Grande takes a little over an hour.
• Caves involve physical effort: Hagukan Cave and Magkukuob Cavern can include climbing, swimming, and jumping, depending on conditions.
• Lunch can be limited: The buffet may not keep up with a large group, so a small snack is sensible.
• The route can change: Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay may be substituted, and Club Tara is only possible if time remains.

What the $88 Sohoton tour actually gives you

This is a full-day island trip from Siargao, lasting about 10 hours. The package includes pickup and drop-off from your resort to Dapa Port, the boat to Bucas Grande, local boat transfers, a Department of Tourism accredited guide, entrance and docking fees, safety guides, a jellyfish lake boat with paddler, permits, tour escorts, and lunch.

That is a long list of included costs. If you arranged each boat and entrance separately, the price could become harder to control. You are also paying for the convenience of having the route organized, rather than sorting out transfers at Dapa, Socorro, and the Sohoton reception area yourself.

Still, $88 is not a bargain-basement day trip. It makes the most sense if you want the full Sohoton circuit and do not want to negotiate several local transfers. If your main goal is simply to see a pretty cove, the cost may feel high.

Pickup instructions are straightforward. Tell the operator where you are staying, wait in the lobby 10 to 15 minutes before pickup, and watch for a call from the driver. The tour is conducted in English.

The early transfer from Dapa to Bucas Grande

The day begins with a vehicle transfer to Dapa Port, followed by a boat ride toward Bucas Grande. Plan for more than an hour on the water before the main island activities begin.

This journey matters because the tour is not a quick outing from central Siargao. You are committing most of a day to reach the Sohoton area and return. Bring sun protection and keep a dry bag close. Your phone, wallet, and spare clothing will be exposed to spray and wet transfers.

At Socorro Port, another boat takes you toward the Sohoton reception area. This handoff can feel a little loose if you expect a detailed briefing at every stage. One useful habit is to stay alert for instructions about where to board next and keep your group in sight.

The exclusive Bucas Grande tourism wristband helps identify people covered by the tour arrangements. Entrance fees, docking charges, permits, and the two safety guides at Sohoton are already included, so you should not face a string of surprise charges for the main route.

The separate P100 tourism fee is the exception. If you are taking part in the tri-island hopping arrangements, you must pay that fee at the pier before getting off for island hopping. Keep a little Philippine cash available.

Sohoton Cove and its half-submerged entrance

Sohoton Cove is the strongest visual reason to book this outing. The cove includes a half-submerged cave entrance and seven small islets covered in plant life, all packed into a dramatic setting of rock and water.

You reach the cove by boat and enter with guides and safety support. The entrance itself makes the stop feel different from a standard beach trip. Instead of simply stepping onto sand, you pass through a low, water-level opening into a sheltered world of rock walls and calm water.

The cove is best enjoyed slowly, but the overall schedule may not give you unlimited time. Listen to the safety guides, especially where the water is shallow or the passage is narrow. Conditions and timing can affect which activities are available.

Swimming and kayaking may be part of the cove visit. Cliff jumping can also be offered if conditions allow, but you should not treat it as guaranteed. This is a guided nature stop first, not a dedicated cliff-jumping session.

I would put Sohoton at the top of the day’s scenery. The cove gives you the kind of setting that photographs well, but it is more than a photo stop. The half-submerged entrance and clustered islets make the route feel enclosed, unusual, and worth the long ride from Siargao.

Hagukan Cave, where the rock shapes the visit

Hagukan Cave is described as the skin-illuminating cave, and it adds a darker, enclosed section to the day. You should expect rock formations, a cave entrance, and water-based movement rather than a polished sightseeing attraction.

The cave experience can include swimming through or around the cave area. Stalactites and stalagmites add visual interest, though you should not expect a long underground tour with extensive interpretation. The appeal comes from being in the cave itself, close to the rock and water.

Bring footwear with a secure grip. The route may be wet and uneven, and the tour is not suited to people with mobility impairments or serious back problems. If you dislike confined spaces or are uncomfortable in water, this stop may be less enjoyable than it sounds on paper.

The cave is one reason the tour feels active rather than purely scenic. You are not just sitting on a boat and taking pictures. You may climb, swim, or make short jumps, depending on the exact route and conditions.

Magkukuob Cavern and the active portion of the day

Magkukuob Cavern is known as the diving cave, although you should read that description as a sign of physical activity rather than a promise of a particular jump. The stop can include climbing and jumping, with guides directing you through the area.

This is where water shoes become especially useful. Regular flip-flops can slip, and bare feet are not ideal on rough rock. The footwear advice is simple, but it can make the difference between moving confidently and worrying about every step.

The cave section is fairly short compared with the full day. You may spend around two hours moving among the jellyfish swim point, one cave with climbing and jumping, and another smaller cavern. That compressed timing gives you a taste of several attractions rather than a long stay at one.

If you want a relaxed sightseeing cruise, the physical parts may feel tiring. If you like variety and do not mind getting wet, they help explain why this trip suits adventure-minded visitors.

The jellyfish sanctuary, the day’s most unusual stop

Swimming with non-stinging jellyfish is the tour’s most distinctive activity. It is also the stop that requires the clearest expectations.

The jellyfish may not be floating right beside the boat in obvious numbers. You might need to swim about two meters below the surface to see them. If you are not comfortable going underwater, you may miss much of the attraction.

Bring your own goggles if possible. Goggles can be rented for about 150 Philippine pesos, but having your own saves time and avoids depending on the available supply. A dry bag is also useful for your phone and small valuables.

The water experience is unusual because the jellyfish are the focus, not a reef or a conventional beach swim. You get a close look at a fragile natural setting, so follow the guide’s instructions and avoid rough handling. The location may feel more like a jellyfish swim area than a formal sanctuary, so keep your expectations practical.

For many people, this is the highlight. It is the one stop that you are unlikely to reproduce with an ordinary Siargao beach day. But it is also highly dependent on your swimming comfort, visibility, and willingness to go below the surface.

Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay, depending on the day

After the cave and jellyfish activities, the route may include Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay. The exact stop depends on the schedule.

Tiktikan Lake offers a quieter change of mood. After moving through caves and swimming points, calm water and surrounding greenery can give you a chance to slow down. You might swim or simply sit beside the water.

Dagatan Bay provides a different setting, but the same basic role in the itinerary: a scenic pause after the more active stops. Because the schedule can change, do not book this tour solely for one of these locations.

This flexible routing is practical. Boat conditions, timing, and local operations can affect the day. The tradeoff is that your exact experience may not match every attraction shown in the promotional description.

Bubon Beach and Marka-A Island

Bubon Beach adds white sand and open sea views to an itinerary otherwise focused on caves and sheltered water. It is the place to slow down, dry off, and enjoy a more familiar island setting.

The beach is not presented as a long stay. You should think of it as a short rest stop within a packed day. If you want hours of quiet beach time, the schedule may leave you wanting more.

Marka-A Island extends the island-hopping portion with secluded beaches and the chance to snorkel around coral areas. This helps round out the day. You get caves, a lake or bay, jellyfish, and beach scenery instead of repeating the same kind of stop.

The combined route is appealing because each place has a different feel. The drawback is that variety can come at the expense of time. You may see more locations, but you will not necessarily linger at each one.

Lunch and the break at Bravo Beach Resort

Lunch is served buffet style, and it is included in the price. That is convenient after several hours of boat travel and water activities.

However, food availability can be uneven when the group is large. The buffet may be picked over before everyone has eaten, leaving only a little rice and fruit. I would bring a small, permitted snack if you tend to get hungry, while still following the operator’s restrictions on alcohol and prohibited substances.

The resort break gives you about an hour and a half to rest before the return journey, depending on the day’s timing. At Bravo Beach Resort, you may find a waterslide and a swimming area.

Treat this stop as a practical rest point, not the main attraction. The resort facilities provide somewhere to dry off and pause, but they may not feel special compared with Sohoton Cove or the jellyfish swim.

Club Tara may be added as a bonus side trip if time remains. It is not a guaranteed part of the day, so do not use it as the deciding reason to book.

What to pack for the water and caves

The official advice is to wear comfortable clothing, but you will benefit from being more specific.

Bring:

• Water shoes with a firm sole
• Your own goggles, if available
• A dry bag
• Sun protection
• A small snack
• Spare clothing if you dislike staying damp
• Cash for the separate P100 tourism fee and possible goggle rental

Water shoes are the most useful item. The cave areas may involve wet rocks, climbing, and jumps, while beaches and boat landings can be awkward in bare feet.

A dry bag protects the things you need during the boat transfers. Keep expensive electronics to a minimum, and do not assume a standard backpack will stay dry.

The tour does not suit people with back problems, mobility impairments, or motion sickness. The long boat rides and active cave stops can be hard on your body. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan carefully before committing to a full day on the water.

Is the long day worth the price?

At $88, this is a mid-range to expensive island excursion for Siargao. The value comes from the number of moving parts included: resort pickup, several boats, guides, entrance fees, safety support, permits, docking charges, the jellyfish transfer, and lunch.

You are also buying simplicity. The trip links Siargao with Bucas Grande and Sohoton without asking you to arrange separate transport at each port. That is useful if your time on Siargao is limited or you prefer a single organized booking.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in one attraction. The cove is beautiful, but the journey is long, and the resort break is not especially memorable. The jellyfish stop can also disappoint if you cannot swim below the surface or if visibility is poor.

I would judge the price by your priorities. For a full day of active nature stops, the package is reasonable. For a slow beach day, it is not the right purchase.

Who should book this Siargao day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy boat rides, wet cave visits, short bursts of physical activity, and unusual wildlife encounters. It suits people who want to see more than Siargao’s famous beaches and are willing to spend a full day reaching the Sohoton area.

It is less suitable if you want a calm, luxury-style outing. The transfers are long, the schedule can feel compressed, and the food supply may not be generous for a large group.

You should also be comfortable following instructions from English-speaking guides and safety escorts. The route includes several boats, so staying organized matters.

Should you book the Sohoton Pure Island-Hopping Tour?

Book it if the jellyfish sanctuary and Sohoton Cove are your priorities, and if you are happy to swim, climb, and spend much of the day in transit. The cove scenery and jellyfish encounter give the tour a clear identity, while the caves, beach stops, and lake or bay visit keep the day varied.

Skip it if you dislike long boat rides, cannot comfortably get underwater, or want excellent value from a leisurely beach excursion. At $88, you should want the complete Bucas Grande experience, not just a quick look at one cave.

My practical call: book it with water shoes, goggles, a dry bag, and a snack. Keep your expectations focused on natural scenery and active stops, not resort comfort. That approach gives you the best chance of finding the day worth its price.

FAQ

How long does the Sohoton Island-Hopping Tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including pickup, boat transfers, sightseeing stops, lunch, and the return to Surigao del Norte.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes resort pickup and drop-off to Dapa Port, boats to Bucas Grande and Sohoton, local boat transfers, a Department of Tourism accredited English-speaking guide, safety guides, entrance fees, permits, docking fees, tour escorts, the jellyfish lake boat and paddler fee, and lunch.

Is the P100 tourism fee included?

No. The P100 tourism fee for tri-island hopping participants must be paid at the pier before disembarkation for island hopping.

Do I need to bring goggles?

Goggles are recommended because you may need to swim about two meters underwater to see the jellyfish. Goggles may be rented for 150 Philippine pesos, but bringing your own is more convenient.

Which locations are included?

The listed stops include Sohoton Cove, Hagukan Cave, Magkukuob Cavern, the Jellyfish Sanctuary, Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay, Bubon Beach, and Marka-A Island. Club Tara may be added if time allows.

Who should avoid this tour?

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or motion sickness. It includes long boat transfers and active cave and swimming sections.