Move like a jellyfish, rhythm means nothing.You go with the flow you don’t stop.” ― Jack Johnson
Bucas Grande of Surigao del Norte is regarded as the “Home of the stingless jellyfish”.
Situated on the far eastern part of the province of Surigao del Norte is the island town of Socorro in Surigao del Norte and in here, lies the Bucas Grande group of islands. It is also known as the Sohoton Cove National Park. (This should not be confused with the one found in
Samar province in the Visayas). This island is packed with abundant caves and unspoiled, white sand beaches, inland lakes and lagoons, mangroves, iron woods, fishing grounds, and corals.
One of the most frequented and anticipated place to visit is the Tojoman or Jellyfish Lagoon — home to millions of stingless and friendly jellyfish. The species of jellyfish on this lagoon is the so-called Spotted Jelly (Mastigias papua, Mastigiidae). Physically, it has noticeable rounded structures and thick oral arms suspended below the bell. There are those that have orange to brown color and a few white ones with scattered spots.
Going to Tojoman Lagoon to see the stingless jellyfish, a paddler has to be hired. (No motorized boats are allowed inside the lagoon as it could disturb and destroy the habitat of the marine creatures). One can touch the jellyfishes so long as they are submerged. They should not be lifted as they easily dry up, and may cause there death.
Fees collected at the Sohoton Cove National Park:
Environmental fee (50 pesos/person)
Boat Docking fee (100 pesos/boat)
Life vest rental (40 pesos/person)
Table fee for lunch (50 pesos/group) – 4 to 5 persons per table
Boat fee (500 pesos/group) – maximum of 6 persons in a boat
Tour guide fee (165/guide) – we were assigned to 2 guides
Tojoman Lagoon Paddlers fee (100 pesos/person) – for the small boat going to the stingless jellyfish
Where to Stay in Bucas Grande, Socorro, Surigao del Norte
| Anthony’s Seaside Guesthouse | Brgy. Taruc, Socorro, Surigao Del Norte | +639086120983
+639474807176 |
Php600.00 for 2 pax (fan room) Php1,000.00 for 2 pax (AC room) extra person: Php100.00 Php1,200.00 for 2 pax (AC room with twin bed) |
| Bucas Grande Balanghai Resort | Socorro-Estrella-Pamosaingan Rd, Socorro, Surigao del Norte (near Socorro port) | +6329078931233 | Php600.00 for 3 pax (AC room) Php150.00 per person (dormitory room good for 9 guests) |
| Club Tara | Bucas Grande Island, Socorro Surigao del Norte |
+63 917 522 5500 | Php10,000 to 15,000 or more |
| D&D Lodging Hauz | Brgy Navarro, Socorro, Surigao Del Norte | +639465697318 | Php300 without AC and Php650 with AC/ night |
| Harkrisha Resort | Brgy. Taruc, Socorro Surigao Del Norte | +639283214736 | Rate starts at Php1000.00/ night |
| LGU Training Center | Near Socorro Port | +639463178016 | Php200.00 per pax (AC room) Php150.00 per pax (fan room) |
***Note: Rates may change without prior notice. Please contact them to find out the latest rate.
I was lucky to have been spared from all these fees as I was treated as a special guest by their tourism officer when I was there. And more than lucky to have seen these awesome creatures!!!
Don’t be a wasted soul, be ‘juanderlust”. Take it easy ebri’juan…
No Juan Is An Island 
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