Siargao:Sohoton Island Hopping Tour with Jellyfish Sanctuary

Sohoton’s non-stinging jellyfish lake is the most unusual part of this day out. You travel from Siargao across the water to Bucas Grande, then move by small boats through caves, limestone cliffs, and quiet lagoons. The cove itself is beautiful, but the jellyfish encounter gives the trip its real sense of wonder.

I like the way the tour packs several kinds of scenery into one day: half-submerged caves and limestone islets, followed by beaches, a lake or bay, and time at a resort. I also like that transport, entrance fees, lunch, guides, and port transfers are bundled together. The trade-off is a long day with plenty of boat time, and the $88 price feels fair only if you value the full package and can manage the physical parts.

Key points to know before booking

• The jellyfish stop requires swimming underwater: You may need to reach about 2 meters below the surface to see the jellyfish clearly.
• Sohoton Cove includes several distinct stops: Hagukan Cave, Magkukuob Cavern, rock formations, and narrow waterways give the day variety.
• The ride from Siargao takes time: The boat journey from Dapa Port to Bucas Grande can take a little over an hour.
• Bring water shoes, goggles, and a dry bag: Goggles may be rented for PHP 150, but your own gear is more convenient.
• The schedule can change: Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay may be used depending on timing, and Club Tara is only a possible bonus stop.
• This is not a gentle sightseeing cruise: Climbing, swimming, cave movement, and boat transfers make it unsuitable for people with back or mobility problems.

Why Sohoton Cove is the heart of the day

Sohoton Cove is a maze of water, rock, and small green-covered islets inside Bucas Grande. The first impression comes from the unusual entrance: a partly submerged cave opening that leads into the cove. You pass from open water into a more enclosed setting, where limestone walls and small islands replace the broad Siargao horizon.

The included Sohoton entrance covers the boat fee and two safety guides. That matters here because the cove is not a place where you simply wander along a marked path. You move by boat and follow the local guides through the natural formations, with each stop handled as part of a set route.

I like this portion because it feels more varied than a standard beach trip. You may swim, use a kayak if available, and possibly jump from a cliff if the conditions and schedule allow. Those activities are not guaranteed, so treat them as possible extras rather than the main reason to book.

The cove is also where the tour earns much of its scenic value. The seven small islets inside the area, along with the limestone walls and sheltered water, create the kind of scenery that is difficult to appreciate from a single viewpoint. You get a moving tour rather than one photo stop.

Hagukan Cave and Magkukuob Cavern

Hagukan Cave is known here as the skin illuminating cave, while Magkukuob is described as the diving cave. The names suggest different moods, but both are part of the same cave-focused stretch of the tour.

At Hagukan, expect a guided visit into a natural rock chamber with stalactites and stalagmites. The information provided does not promise a specific light effect or a particular route inside, so you should think of it as a short guided cave exploration rather than a full underground trek.

Magkukuob adds more physical activity. The route can involve climbing and jumping, and one account of the outing described a cave stop where participants climbed and jumped before moving to another small cavern. This is useful to know before you go: the caves are not just look-and-take-a-photo stops.

Bring water shoes with a firm grip. They help with wet surfaces, boat landings, and any rocky sections around the caves. The tour is specifically not suited to people with mobility impairments or back problems, and anyone with motion sickness should think carefully about the long boat rides and moving between small craft.

The jellyfish encounter requires patience and confidence

The Jellyfish Sanctuary is the most distinctive stop. You take another boat transfer, including a paddler’s fee, to reach the water where non-stinging jellyfish live. Swimming among them can be a memorable experience, but it is not quite the effortless surface snorkel some people imagine.

You may need to go about 2 meters underwater to see the jellyfish well. If you cannot comfortably reach that depth, you may see fewer of them or miss the best part of the encounter. This is why goggles matter. Goggles are available to rent for PHP 150, but I would bring your own if you have a reliable pair.

The label sanctuary can also set up the wrong expectation. This is a natural jellyfish area, not a large aquarium-style attraction with elaborate visitor facilities. The appeal is the chance to observe the animals in their own water, with the setting doing most of the work.

Follow the local instructions closely and avoid treating the jellyfish as a prop for rough handling. The tour includes guides and a boat transfer, so you are not left to find the site alone. Still, you should be comfortable in open water and ready for a short, active swim.

Tiktikan Lake, Dagatan Bay, and the shifting schedule

After the cove and jellyfish stop, the itinerary may include Tiktikan Lake or Dagatan Bay, depending on the schedule. This is one reason not to expect the exact same order or every optional stop on every departure.

Tiktikan Lake offers a quieter change of pace. You can swim or relax beside the water, with greenery around the lake and a slower feel than the cave sections. Dagatan Bay provides a different setting, but the supplied details do not specify exactly how long you will spend there or which activities will be available.

This part of the day matters because the tour needs a pause. Ten hours of boats, swimming, and cave visits can become tiring. A calm lake or bay gives you a chance to dry off and reset before the later beach and resort time.

Do not build your booking decision around Tiktikan Lake alone. It is a schedule-dependent part of the outing, not a fixed guarantee in the same way as Sohoton Cove and the jellyfish stop.

Bubon Beach and Marka-A Island

Bubon Beach brings the classic island-hopping break: white sand, open sea views, and time to sit in the sun. It is a welcome contrast after the darker caves and enclosed waterways.

The information provided does not promise a long beach stay, so expect a stop within a packed day rather than a full afternoon of doing nothing. If you want a quiet beach holiday with hours for reading and swimming, this is not the right format. If you like adding a beach pause to an active route, it fits well.

Marka-A Island extends the outing with more shoreline, possible snorkeling, and time away from the busier parts of Siargao. The description includes secluded beaches and coral reefs, but the exact snorkeling conditions and equipment arrangements are not specified. Bring your own mask if you prefer a dependable fit, especially since rental goggles are mentioned at the jellyfish stop.

The value of Marka-A is the added variety. You are not spending the entire day in one cove or one resort. At the same time, every extra stop adds more boat movement and less time at the places that may matter most to you. If your priority is the jellyfish lake, accept that beach stops may be relatively brief.

Lunch and the resort break

Lunch is included and served buffet-style. That saves you from arranging food during a remote, water-based day, and it is an important inclusion at this length.

You should not assume unlimited choice or plentiful portions. The buffet can run short if many people serve themselves early, leaving less rice, fruit, or other dishes later. I would eat when lunch begins rather than waiting, and I would bring a small snack if you have specific dietary needs. The provided information does not list vegetarian, allergy, or special meal arrangements.

The route also includes time at Bravo Beach Resort Siargao, and the day may include a stop at Club Tara if there is still time. The resort offers a place to swim, relax, and possibly use a water slide. It is best viewed as a practical rest stop, not the main attraction. The scenery at Sohoton and the jellyfish encounter are stronger reasons to book.

A resort pause can be especially useful after the caves. You get a chance to sit down, eat, and dry out before the return trip. But the day is schedule-driven, so the exact length of this break can change.

What the $88 price really covers

At $88 per person, this is not a cheap short boat ride. It is a full-day excursion with a long transfer from Siargao, several local boats, entrance charges, guides, safety support, lunch, and port transportation.

The included items cover:

• Resort pickup and drop-off to Dapa Port
• Boat travel from Dapa Port to Bucas Grande
• Boat travel from Socorro Port to the Sohoton reception area
• Local boat transfers inside Sohoton Cove
• The exclusive Bucas Grande Tourism Wristband
• A DOT-accredited English-speaking guide
• Tour escorts and two safety guides at Sohoton
• Entrance, docking, and permit fees
• Boat transfer to the Jellyfish Sanctuary
• Paddler’s fee for the jellyfish stop
• Lunch

That list makes the price easier to understand. Booking separate boats and entrance permits could be awkward, especially when several sites are spread across different islands. You also avoid having to arrange your own route from a Siargao resort to Dapa Port.

There is one extra charge to remember: the PHP 100 tourism fee required for Tri-Island hopping visitors at the pier before disembarkation. It is small compared with the total cost, but it should be in your budget.

I see the value as strongest for a first visit when you want the major Sohoton sights without handling the transport yourself. The value is weaker if you mainly want one calm beach day, dislike long boat rides, or plan to spend little time in the water.

The long transport day from Siargao

Pickup and drop-off are included, and you are asked to be ready in your resort lobby 10 to 15 minutes before pickup. The driver will call when arriving, so keep your phone available.

From Dapa Port, the trip to Bucas Grande can take a little over an hour. That is a meaningful part of a 10-hour day. You should see the crossing as part of the price of reaching Sohoton, not as wasted time, but anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully.

The day includes several changes of boat. You may start with one larger transfer, then use smaller boats around Socorro and Sohoton. That is useful for reaching narrow cave entrances and shallow areas, though it also means more boarding, wet feet, and time spent getting groups organized.

The English guide provides the planned explanations, while local safety guides and boat staff handle parts of the route. No individual guide names are supplied, so you should not expect to request a named guide when booking.

What to pack for comfort

The official advice is simply to wear comfortable clothes, but the activities call for a more useful packing list.

Bring:

• Water shoes with good grip
• Your own goggles if you have them
• A dry bag for your phone, wallet, and spare clothes
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat for the exposed boat sections
• A small snack in case the buffet is picked over
• Motion sickness medicine if you normally need it

A dry bag is especially useful because you will move between boats and wet areas several times. Keep electronics protected even if the weather looks calm.

Alcohol, drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or motion sickness. Those limits are practical warnings, not minor fine print.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full, active day rather than a slow island escape. It suits people who enjoy caves, swimming, short boat transfers, and seeing several natural sites in one organized route.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Siargao and want to reach Sohoton without piecing together transport, entrance fees, and local boats yourself. The included transfers and permits remove much of the planning work.

I would hesitate if you are uncomfortable swimming underwater, since the jellyfish may be hard to see from the surface. I would also hesitate if you get seasick, need a predictable meal, or prefer generous time at each stop.

The overall rating is 3.7 out of 5 from five recorded bookings, which fits the tour’s character. The natural sights can be excellent, especially the cove and jellyfish stop, but the logistics, active cave sections, changing schedule, and lunch limitations keep it from being an effortless luxury outing.

Should you book the Sohoton Pure Island-Hopping Tour?

Book it if your Siargao plans include one big nature day and you want Sohoton Cove, caves, jellyfish, beaches, and a lake or bay in one package. The jellyfish encounter and Sohoton scenery are the strongest reasons to go, while the included transport and fees make the $88 easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a short, relaxed excursion or if boat motion and underwater swimming are problems for you. Pack water shoes, goggles, a dry bag, and a snack, then treat the schedule as flexible. With those expectations, this is a worthwhile introduction to the wider Bucas Grande area, though not the best choice for every kind of Siargao holiday.

FAQ

How long does the Sohoton island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including pickup, boat transfers, sightseeing, the return journey, and drop-off.

What language is the guided tour offered in?

The live tour guide provides the tour in English.

Does the tour include pickup from my resort?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your resort to Dapa Port are included. You should provide your pickup location and wait in the lobby 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served buffet-style.

Are entrance fees and boat fees included?

Yes. The package includes Sohoton entrance fees, boat fees, docking fees, permit fees, local boat transfers, and the jellyfish boat transfer with a paddler’s fee.

Is the PHP 100 tourism fee included?

No. A PHP 100 tourism fee for Tri-Island hopping visitors must be paid at the pier before disembarkation.

Can I see the jellyfish from the surface?

You may need to swim about 2 meters underwater to see the jellyfish clearly. Goggles can be rented for PHP 150, though bringing your own is recommended if you have them.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable clothes and bring water shoes, goggles, and a dry bag if possible. A dry change of clothes and a snack are also practical additions.

Who should avoid this tour?

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or motion sickness. It also includes swimming, cave movement, and boat transfers, so you should be comfortable with those activities.