Sohoton Cove: Swimming With Stingless Jellyfish in Surigao

There are a handful of places in the world where you can swim with jellyfish without getting stung. Sohoton Cove, inside the Bucas Grande Islands of Surigao del Norte, is one of them. The protected lagoon is home to two species of stingless jellyfish that have evolved without venom because they have no predators in the enclosed water. For a traveler, this means you can float in a quiet emerald cove and watch translucent creatures drift past your mask. It is strange, gentle, and unlike almost anything else you can do in the Philippines.

What Sohoton Cove Actually Is

Sohoton Cove is part of the Sohoton Cove Protected Seascape and Landscape, a declared protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). It sits on the southern side of Bucas Grande Island, about an hour by boat from the town of Hayanggabon in Claver, Surigao del Norte. The cove is a series of limestone islets and lagoons connected by narrow channels that you pass through at low tide. The jellyfish sanctuary is a separate lagoon inside the protected zone.

The area is managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and local community organizations. Access is controlled. You cannot simply rent a boat and go in on your own. You must register, pay environmental fees, and use an accredited guide. This is a good thing. The restriction is what keeps the jellyfish population healthy.

The Stingless Jellyfish

Two species live in the lagoon: the white spotted jellyfish (Mastigias papua) and a smaller moon jellyfish variant. Both are stingless. The spotted jellyfish has a pulsing bell with white spots and short frilly tentacles. It propels itself slowly through the water, and when you swim near them they do not flee. They just drift.

The jellyfish population fluctuates with the seasons. In the dry months of March to May, there can be thousands visible in the lagoon. During the rainy season, the numbers drop as fresh water dilutes the salinity. If you want the full experience, go in the dry season.

Important: do not touch the jellyfish. Even though they cannot sting you, handling them damages their delicate bodies. The guides will brief you before you enter the water, and they will pull you out if you grab one. This is a strict rule.

How to Get to Sohoton Cove

The jump-off point is Hayanggabon Port in Claver, Surigao del Norte. From Surigao City, it is a 2 to 2.5 hour van or bus ride to Claver, costing PHP 150 to PHP 250. From Claver, take a tricycle or habal-habal to Hayanggabon Port for PHP 50 to PHP 80.

If you are coming from Siargao, you can reach Bucas Grande by a direct boat from General Luna or Dapa. The crossing takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,500 for a chartered boat, or PHP 500 to PHP 800 per person if you join a shared trip. Many Siargao-based tour operators offer Sohoton as a day tour.

From Hayanggabon, the boat to Sohoton Cove takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You enter the protected zone and transfer to a smaller paddle boat operated by a local guide. Motorized boats are not allowed inside the inner lagoons.

What the Tour Includes

A standard Sohoton Cove tour covers the following stops:

The Jellyfish Lagoon

The highlight. You swim or float in the lagoon for 30 to 45 minutes. You wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer, and you wear a rash guard to protect the jellyfish from your sunscreen. The water is calm and brackish, warmer than the open sea.

Cuevas Cave

A limestone cave with a small opening that you swim or paddle into. Inside is a chamber with stalactites and a skylight. It is short but atmospheric.

Magkukuob Cave

A cave with a small entrance that requires ducking. Inside is a pool you can jump into from a rock ledge. The exit is a narrow crevice that opens back to the cove.

Tiktikan Lake

A serene lake surrounded by limestone cliffs. You paddle through it in a small boat. The water is still and dark, and the reflections are striking.

Cliff Jumping Spots

There are a couple of supervised cliff jumping points inside the cove, ranging from 3 to 7 meters. Guides will tell you where it is safe to jump.

What It Costs in 2026

Sohoton Cove pricing is regulated by the local tourism office. Here is the breakdown:

• Environmental fee: PHP 100 per person
• Entrance fee to the protected area: PHP 50 per person
• Boat from Hayanggabon to Sohoton (group of 6 to 8): PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,000
• Paddle boat and guide inside the cove: PHP 300 to PHP 500 per person
• Full day tour from Siargao (all-in): PHP 1,800 to PHP 2,500 per person

If you book from Siargao, the tour usually includes hotel pickup, boat transfers, environmental fees, guide, and lunch. If you go independently from Hayanggabon, you pay the fees separately and save money, but you need to organize your own transport to the port.

When to Go

The best time is March to May, when the jellyfish population peaks and the sea is calm. The dry season also makes the boat crossings smoother. June to October is the rainy season in this part of Mindanao, and while tours still run, the jellyfish numbers drop and rough seas can cancel trips on short notice.

Tides matter. The cove can only be entered at certain tide levels because the channels are narrow. Tour operators schedule trips around the tide tables, so you do not get to choose your exact departure time. Expect to leave Hayanggabon between 7 AM and 10 AM depending on the day.

Where to Stay

Most visitors do Sohoton as a day trip from Siargao, where accommodation options are extensive. Budget hostels in General Luna start at PHP 500 per night. Midrange resorts run PHP 2,000 to PHP 4,000. High-end beachfront resorts go for PHP 6,000 to PHP 15,000.

If you want to stay closer to Bucas Grande, there are a few homestays and small resorts on the island itself, mostly in the barangay of Portlamon. Rates are PHP 800 to PHP 2,000 per night. These are basic but clean, and they put you minutes from the cove instead of hours.

Rules You Must Follow

Sohoton is a protected area. The rules are not optional:

• No touching the jellyfish. This is the most enforced rule.
• No sunscreen in the jellyfish lagoon. Wear a rash guard instead. Chemicals harm the jellyfish.
• No littering. Carry out everything.
• No fishing inside the protected zone.
• Stay with your guide. The channels are confusing and tide-dependent.
• No drones inside the inner lagoons without a permit.

What to Bring

• Rash guard or long-sleeve swim shirt (mandatory for the jellyfish lagoon)
• Mask and snorkel (some tours provide, but bring your own for fit)
• Dry bag
• Water shoes or reef shoes for the caves
• Refillable water bottle
• Cash for fees and tips

Combining Sohoton With Siargao

Most travelers pair Sohoton with a Siargao trip, and that makes sense. Siargao is the surf and island-hopping capital of the region, and Sohoton is the quieter, more protected counterpart. A good 5-day itinerary looks like this: 2 days surfing and exploring Siargao (Cloud 9, Magpupungko Rock Pools, Sugba Lagoon), 1 day for Sohoton Cove, 1 day for island hopping to Naked Island, Daku, and Guyam, and 1 buffer day for weather. This gives you the full range of what the region offers without rushing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the jellyfish really stingless?

Yes. The two species in the Sohoton lagoon have evolved without stinging cells because they have no natural predators in the enclosed water. You can swim among them safely. However, you must not touch them, as handling damages their bodies.

Can I wear sunscreen in the jellyfish lagoon?

No. Sunscreen chemicals harm the jellyfish. You must wear a rash guard or long-sleeve swim shirt for sun protection. If you have sunscreen on from earlier in the day, wash it off before entering the lagoon.

How long is the boat ride from Siargao to Sohoton?

From General Luna or Dapa in Siargao, the boat to Bucas Grande takes 1.5 to 2 hours. From Hayanggabon Port in Claver, it is 45 minutes to 1 hour to the cove entrance.

Is Sohoton Cove suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes. Life vests are provided and required in the jellyfish lagoon. The water is calm. You can float and observe without swimming. The caves require some paddling in a small boat, which the guide handles.

Can I visit Sohoton year-round?

Tours run year-round, but the best time is March to May. During the rainy season (June to October), jellyfish numbers drop and rough seas can cancel trips. Always check the weather forecast before booking.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH Visayas Desk for PANA.PH.