About Bucas Grande
On the other side of the surfing haven Siargao lies the town of Socorro in Surigao del Norte, home to the Bucas Grande Islands also known as the Sohoton Cove National Park.
The group of islands is blessed with numerous coves and caves, white sand beaches, mangroves forests, inland lakes, lagoons, vast fishing grounds, and vivid corals.
Be amazed with Sohoton Cove and Blue Lagoon – a maze-like lagoon consisting of limestone islets where the only way in or out is the cave entrance that vanishes during high tide. Another must see is the Tojoman or Jellyfish Lagoon, home to millions of non-stinging jellyfish.With its unique seascape and landscape, the place promises everyone a truly unforgettable, enchanting and extraordinary experience in this part of Mindanao. Visit Bucas Grande and be enchanted with its natural beauty.
How to Get to Bucas Grande
From Surigao City
Surigao City, capital of Surigao del Norte is the main jump-off point to Bucas Grande Islands. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights from Manila to Surigao City Airport while Cebu Pacific also has daily flight from Cebu.
From Surigao City, you can go directly to its port where motorized boats to Socorro dock and from Socorro hire another boat going to Bucas Grande. Alternatively, you may skip the main town of Socorro and head straight to Bucas Grande by catching a van (P120) or bus going to Claver, get off at the Hayanggabon Port and transfer to a boat going to Bucas Grande.
From Butuan
If you are coming from Butuan, catch a bus to Surigao City and get of at Bad-as junction, travel time is two hours and fare ranges from P160 to P196 one-way. From Bad-as junction, transfer to a van (P90) or bus going to Claver and get off at the Hayanggabon Port, then catch a boat going to Bucas Grande.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights to Butuan City from Manila while Cebu Pacific also has daily flight from Cebu.
From Siargao
From Dapa Port in Siargao, catch a ferry going to Socorro. There are ferries that leave in the morning and in the afternoon, fare is around P100.00. From Socorro hire another boat going to Bucas Grande.
Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Skyjet fly from Clark, Cebu and Manila to Siargao.
Where to Stay in Bucas Grande
Budget travelers may opt to stay in these places that are managed by local people’s organization and cooperatives:
- Cinnamon Island Cottage
Managed by Strengthened Association of Volunteers for the Environment of Sohoton (SAVE Sohoton)
Rate: P2,500/room per night with free breakfast (for 1-5 person); additional P500/person in excess of five
Contact No: +639488205835 Roldan (Operations Manager)
- Tiktikan Lake Cottage
Managed by three people’s organization named TASG
Rate: P150-200 per person (Open air cottage)
Contact No: +639399047019 Dodo (Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager)
- SIFAI Cottage
Managed by Sohoton Integrated Farmers Association Incorporated
Rate: P1,000/room per night (good for 3 persons)
Contact No: +639399047019 Dodo (Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager)
You may also opt to stay in these private resorts:
- Sohoton Bay Resort
- Sohoton Nakiauit Resort
- La Fortuna
Another alternative is to stay in Socorro town proper. The municipal training center have dorm type room with shared toilet and bath for as low P200/night per person.
For high end tourists, Club Tara Resort and Hidden Island Resort offer world class accommodation and amenities.
- Club Tara Resort
Contact No: 09175225500 - Hidden Island Resort
Contact No: 09173282448
What to Do in Bucas Grande
-
- Island hopping and boating
- Tour in Sohoton Cove, a maze-like place consisting of limestone islets, where the only way in or out is the cave entrance passable only during low tide. Hagukan Cave, which can only be entered also during low tide is decorated with magnificent stalactites in its ceiling that become home to hundreds of bats. Magkukuob Cave, another exciting spot inside the cove leads to a cliff, the best way out is to jump off this cliff.
- Swim with millions of no-sting, friendly and playful jellyfish of Tojoman or Jellyfish Lagoon and Lubogon Lagoon
- Spelunking in Bolitas Cave, Crystal Cave and other caves in the area. Bolitas Cave is home to balinsasayaw, a rare bird that produces a very expensive bird’s nest that is a popular soup ingredient in Chinese restaurants
- Trek and have a boat ride in Tiktikan Lake and twelve other lakes in the area
- Dive or snorkel to see the magnificent corals in the area. The best snorkeling site is near Marka-a Island
- Go beach hopping in Marka-a Island, La Fortuna and other white sand beaches in the area
- Cliff diving in Tiktikan Lagoon
- Go surfing in Siargao
- Head south to Tinuy-an Falls and Brittania Group of Islands in Surigao del Sur
- Camping
- Kayaking
Tips
- Sohoton National Park can be reached via three hours boat ride from Siargao. The best time of the year to go there is during summer where no-sting jellyfish are observed to be in the the area, although the guaranteed sightings of these jellyfish are during April to June.
- Rate of island hopping tour of Bucas Grande Islands (including the transfer from Hayangabon Port in Claver or Socorro town proper) ranges from P1,500-P2,000 per day for a boat that can accommodate up to 10 or 15 passengers; P500-P1,000 for boat that can accommodate less than 10 passengers
- You may contact the Sohoton Tourism Operations Manager Dodo at +639399047019 for boat reservations, booking on Titikan and SIFAI Cottage and other inquiries about Sohoton
* First published: 05-July-2009
Maayong gabii..
i have read some info about bucas grande…and we had plans to be there this August 1st -3rd, 2011..we might get there in surigao around 4pm na…is there possible boat to bucas grande at 5 or 6 pm?
thank you..hope for a reply :)can u please send me some schedules?if okey lang?im worried hapon nami makaabot sa city..but we can go straight to the island man jud..if possible..salamt kaau..God bless.
hi jackie,
if you can reach bad-as junction(about 25 mins from bus terminal or airport) at 4pm, there are still vans going to claver & port of hayanggabon. you can arrange for a boat pick-up to sohoton from the LGU operated park reception desk thru 09394235793. you can inquire too necessary information from them. enjoy!
Hi!is anyone know the schedule of the boat from hayanggabon to socorro and vice versa?i wanted to visit sohoton national park/bucas grade island this week end.i never been there.so i hope anyone can help me.please..thank you
hi bored,
please reach mr. dodo hinzon of sohoton national park at 09394235793 for necessary info.
enjoy your trip and be amazed of the secrets at sohoton! 🙂
twice na ako nkapunta ng sohoton, and still naeenjoy at naaamaze pa rin ako sa kagandahan ng lugar… keep it intact and clean para sa iba pang tourist… next tym i,l bring more friends para makita nila how beautiful the place is… keep it up!!!
i agree marcy, one of my favorite. i go there every year, i never get tired visiting the place… 🙂
Hello 🙂 Anyone here knows the contact number of Sohoton National Park? I keep coming back to the very beautiful islands of Surigao but can’t spend on high-end accomodation 🙂
Please help.. Salamat daan! 🙂
hi laagan,
you can reach mr. dodo hinzon of Sohoton National Park info office at 09394235793. enjoy your next trip to the islands! 🙂
Thanks so much! I’ll properly photo-document my next visit so I can show to the world how beautiful the islands are in Surigao 🙂
yes, one of the secret jewels here down south!
theres resorts costing P350 per head, down to P200.we organize tours.
junram of
PAROLA TOURS
surigao city
086 8261797
09197242055
hello! would you know kung how much ang rent ng boat for the island hopping tour? i’m planning to go there this friday and would want to to straight to bucas grande from surigao. thanks!
Nice post, it’s good that you like Bucas Grande Island-my home. You’re more than welcome to come back and visit Sohoton and some other emerging eco-tourism destinations our island can ofer
Thanks Edelito. Planning to go back next year 🙂
During my first time visiting this post, I got so inspired to write my own travel blog to feature the natural attractions of Bucas Grande- my island home. Glad to visit here again Angel, but not only as a mere reader but a contemporary of yours as well as I launched my own Island Vacations Travel Blog exactly 2 months after my first visit here.
Hi, Edelito. maayong hapon. May I know the sked of the motorboat living Hayanggabon for Socorro and vice vera? Is this sked daily? Please give me the contact person for Hotel Balanghai.
I would highly appreciate your help.
[…] Bucas Grande is a group of islands and islets in Socorro, Surigao del Norte declared as a National Park due to its natural attractions and cultural heritage which include white sand beaches, limestone islets and cliffs, hidden coves, waterfalls, mangroves, inland lakes and colorful underwater scenery. But apart from these, the group of islands also offers spelunking on its caves- two of which are Crystal and Bolitas Caves, that meets on the same opening. Inside Bolitas Cave […]
sohoton lagoon is such good and nice place.
[…] with its white sand islands and limestone cliffs, Boracay was out of my sight. It was more like Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao del Norte and Coron […]
huwaw! one of my must-visit this year! will surely visit your site again! thnx for sharing! 🙂
thank you sa inyong lahat na nakapunta sa island namin,sana hindi kayo magsawang pumunta dahil sa sohoton cave ay napakagandang lugar. WELCOME AND COME BACK AGAIN……..
Gooood Day!!!
Any questions for club tara..
Pls, email me clubtara_rsvn[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thank you !
Angel, dagdag ka kaya ng pictures?
Really? On what days? We will be there this Sept 15 to 18. 😀
Wahh! I was there right after uni graduation. Stayed in a friend’s house in Cantilan. I want to visit blue lagoon again!
Hi! would you have the contact info for Club Tara and Hidden Island Resort? I’ve been looking all over and haven’t been able to find it. Appreciate if you can email me. 🙂
Thanks!
Been there just last weekend with my officemates.
Bukas Grande / Sohoton is a very nice place but DO NOT
STAY AT HIDDEN ISLAND RESORT – no electricity from 6 am to 6 pm, water is not running in their T & B, etc etc.
ANG YABANG PA NG MAY-ARI. THEY ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH. HIDDEN CHARGES NOT HIDDEN ISLAND
hi glenn,
sorry for that. next time when you visit sohoton you can stay at the cottage of SAVE Sohoton – operated by people’s organization committed to protect the environs of the area. it’s cheaper and the people are friendly, aside from that you are helping the PO.
hey! i have been there in sohoton last may 2009…i am from claver surigao del norte…its really amazing especially when u entered the mouth of the sohoton…hey can i join you as you travel..email me [email protected]..
thanks
great, angel! this is just one of the wonders, a must see in Mindanao. more people should go down south to discover it’s beauty and charm…
I love your shot. That was simply captivating! My friends and I will be in Siargao this September 2009 and we should not miss this scenic spot in the island. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
[…] here to see the original: Bucas Grande Islands/Sohoton National Park (Socorro) | Lakwatsero June 19th, 2009 at 4:55 […]