Raw and wild, Bucas Grande is a paradise

SOCORRO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE—We were warned: the trip going here could take forever. Almost finishing one clock cycle, the journey could mean dozing off inside your vehicle, passing by pot-holed roads and experiencing provincial scenes along the way.

“Are we there yet?,” was asked on an hourly basis, perhaps a reflection of either weariness or excitement.

But as expected, there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now seven hours on the road on the waning days of blistering summer, we reached the reddish town of Claver, our gateway to one of Mindanao’s best destinations. From there, a 45-minute banca ride took us to paradise.

Welcome to Bucas Grande Islands, where different shades of blue and green serve as an effective killer of exhaustion. It’s the color of sweet escape, too, where all over the place the sweet marriage of blue and green are pleasant for the eyes to see. The truth is, everywhere you look—and I’m talking 360 degrees—the panoramic vistas are just perfect background for a photograph.

APPROACHING PARADISE. Making your way to Bucas Grande is an exciting experience.

Bucas Grande lies in the northern part of Mindanao and shares the famous waters of Siargao. It’s under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Socorro of the Province of Surigao del Norte—a province known for wide array of sea-based activities.

Here, happiness abounds, thanks to the frolic waves, the awesome coves, the white sand on distant shores, the cliffs, the caves, countless lagoons, lakes and the jellyfish.

Bucas Grande is such a bliss.

Stingless jellyfishes make Bucas Grande as their abode, living calmly and peacefully in a solemn cove with waters the color of a posh swimming pool. One has to pass a narrow passage to enter this cove, which could elicit a feeling that somehow you’re like entering a basilica. It was a fleeting moment, but having the opportunity to touch a jellyfish is bliss.

Inside the jellyfish sanctuary...where you can actually touch or swim with jellyfishes! Jellyfish season is between July to September, I was told. And wait, look at the color of the water! Isn't that amazing?

But the bliss in Bucas Grande doesn’t end in jellyfishes. There’s the Sohoton Cove which is designated as a national park by the government of the Philippines. Described by many as a pristine emerald paradise, the 60-hectare Sohoton National Park is one of the many islands that comprise the Siargao Group of Islands.

Sohoton derives its word from its entrance and exit points, where you have to stoop / pass through a narrow and low passage to the extent of crawling. It was a dark passage, its current like that of a flowing river. But once you get inside, it’s as if you’re transported to a whole new paradise. Blessed with thick foliage of trees growing in almond-shaped rock formations, Sohoton Cove is such a sight to behold.

This is the tiny entrance and exit point to the Sohoton Cove...accesible only through low tide.

Aside from its inviting waters, the many caves of Sohoton are also a treat. Hagukan Cave is my personal favorite which has a tiny passage, and “closed” by the seawaters once it’s high tide. It produces a sound mimicking that of a snore, thus the name Hagukan. As like in many caves, it’s dark inside, and the only light visible is the reflection of the light from the entrance of the cave. The dancing little waves seem to make the green color as a disco light. It was like I’m in a sci-fi movie.

Outside (photos above) and inside (photos below)  Hagukan Cave. The photos here don't give justice to the actual experience of being inside that cave!!! I write that with feeeeeeeelings!

This in Magcocoog Cave, where you have to climb pass through these rock formations to get into the only way out....jumping to the waters!

Leo inside Magcocoog Cave awaiting for his turn to climb. Yep, that's seawater inside!

An equally-beautiful cave that should be tried is the Magcocoog Cave. But here’s the caveat: once you’re in, there’s no going back. The only way to go out is through jumping from a cliff 10 meters high…and with no lifevest on! You have to summon all your courage to jump, otherwise you’ll stay there forever. Jumping on a five-second free fall to the deep blue waters, the experience rewards you with unparalleled fulfillment.

That five-second free fall that gave me unparalleled fulfillment...and chills.I'll be posting the video of this jump in a separate post.

Tiktikan Lake should also be on the list of your must-see places in Bucas Grande. A short climb uphill will lead you to the picturesque placid lake, which is enclosed by rock formations in all its sides. The place is a perfect place to finish reading a book, to hum that nearly-forgotten song, to reflect or just to laze around. A diving platform is also a plus, where you can treat yourself to an unlimited jumping!

Magic Hour in Tiktikan Lake

People going to this paradise and intend to stay here for a couple of days must prepare themselves of the rawness of the things that it can offer. It’s far, yes, but it’s definitely worth the trip. With its pristine waters, white sand and coves that are perfect for a sweet escapade, it’s easy to see why travelers don’t mind roughing it up just to reach the place.

There’s a big possibility you’d also ask this along the way: Are we there yet?

It will not be the exhaustion that drives you to ask that, but the excitement to experience first-hand the wonders of Bucas Grande.

L.

Jump to your heart's content.

Approaching one island in Bucas Grande. The color of the water and the white sand fueled our excitement.

Docking Area at the entrance of Tiktikan Lake

Swimming to our heart's content...all day! Imagine that!

Killing the time in one of the islands. We stayed here for three hours!

Thank you for the memories, enchanting Bucas Grande!