Island Vacations In Waterfalls – An Introduction

Island vacations enthusiasts are not only fond of searching for the clear water beach, best beaches, seaside lagoon or surfing waves but are also interested to visit island getaways hosting ponds and waterfalls. Nevertheless, there are little-known island vacations sites which are not included in the list of famous waterfalls nor frequently featured in renowned waterfalls pictures but actually possesses the grandeur comparable to the biggest waterfall in the world. Such is the case of the less advertised Tinuy-an Falls, dubbed by writers who had visited this  island vacations spot as the “Niagara Falls of the Philippines,” situated in Bislig City, Province of Surigao del Sur in the southeastern coast of the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Island Vacations In Tinuy-an Falls – How And Why

The island vacations spot can be reached via a 20-minute private vehicle travel from the Paper Country Inn, in Mangagoy, Bislig City passing through the national highway, maneuvering to the left upon reaching the junction road in Barangay Cumawas and taking on a bumpy feeder road towards the site located in Barangay Burboanan. It can also be reached in 30 minutes from the Bislig City Government Center following the 18-kilometer Poblacion-San Isidro-Burboanan-Tinuy-an Route.

The best time to visit the waterfalls is in the early months or towards the end of the year when maximum rainfall is experienced in Caraga Region and the water pressure is at its peak like that of my visit to the area in November 22, 2009 with my wife and 4 of our 5 children courtesy of the Bislig Government Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BGEMCO) through my friends Aprodecio A. Alba, Jr., Jonathan L. Jamora and Almar B. Autida, Chairman, Vice-Chair and BOD member, respectively, as well as the other coop officers.

Right after the vehicle engine comes to a complete stop, you will start knowing why Tinuy-an Falls as an island vacations destinations is a must-see for nature lovers:

1-      The sound. The impact of the cascading waters plunging into the ravine produces a thundering sound like that of a roaring monster which is audible even when you are still 500 meters away from the waterfalls.

2-      The Sight and Feel. The view of the 3-tiered waterfalls having a stunning 55 meters height and 95 meters width presents the first-time visitor a truly spectacular and awe-inspiring sight of a mighty waterfall in action. Further, the dark-brownish color of the cliffs combined with the bright blue pool at its base adds to both the mystery and allure of this falls. Furthermore, the catwalks made up of steel and concrete make it easy for you to climb up from one tier to another and get close-up and intimate views of the beauty and grandeur of this iconic natural attraction. Meanwhile, come to this island vacations destination between 9 to 11 o’clock in the morning on a sunny day and you will surely be treated to a bright rainbow arching across its base. Finally, the cool breeze produced by the surrounding rainforest and the mist that smack on your face produces an extraordinary and exhilarating feeling.

3-      The Swim and Bath. The presence of 3 islets near the “plunge pool” at the base of the waterfall makes swimming in this island vacations spot a really fantastic experience. Further, standing against the rock wall on the right-most side of the second tier towards the catwalk and letting the slow cascading waters fall on your back provides a mild and gentle massage effect.

Island Vacations In Tinuy-an Falls – Final Thoughts

Island vacations aficionados especially the waterfalls enthusiasts are willing to travel considerable distances to savor the renowned waterfalls in action. Thus, efforts should be done by the Tinuy-an Falls stakeholders to let this promising island vacations spot be put in the map of famous waterfalls in the country, if not in the whole world.

TINUY-AN FALLS VITAL INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .

WHERE TO STAY AT BISLIG CITY PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .

The spectacular view of the Tinuy-an Falls

Another magnificent view of Tinuy-an Falls

Another view of Tinuy-an Falls

Close-up Photo of Tinuy-an Fall's 2nd Tier

Shouting "We Conquered Tinuy-an Falls"

Behind White Water Curtain

A Wholesome Family Escapade

Awe-Inspiring View of Tinuy-an Falls During Summer With Rainbow Arching Its Base- a sight that island vacations aficionados would really find very interesting.

Island Vacations- An Introduction

Island vacations aficionados prefer to spend unique vacations and visit island getaways hosting a variety of natural tourist attractions like a seaside lagoon with islets having lush natural vegetation and wildlife resembling that of floating rock gardens in crystal clear water teeming with coral fish and surrounded by fantastic caverns. Name them all and it is found in the famous island vacations spot named Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Island Vacations – What Sohoton Cove Can Offer?

Island vacations are best spent in Sohoton Cove as it is a single tourist destination that offers you a variety of tourist attractions:

1-    Enchanting Cove. As part of the Inayaran Inlet in the southwestern part of the island, the cove is accessible only during low tide through the 40-meter Sohoton Cave serving as the sole entry and exit to the area. The best time to enter the cave is when the tidal movement recedes enabling the sea water current to slow down or come to a complete stop. You could have a completely satisfying experience if you will ride on a kayak or canoe. But if you are on a group, you can opt to ride a motorized boat and signal the operator to stop the engine upon entry and just paddle it inwards. You will be a little bit nervous and breathing with emotional thrill as the boat slowly enters the passage way. Going into the center of the cave and as the foreign light from the other end meets your eyes, you could hear a mixture of strange sounds resembling that of a banging metal or other identical vibrations. A very dark corner at the left side occasionally shoots-off a noise that resembles that of a frying lard. With the dim light from the outside serving as background, you can view the spell binding stalactites hanging from the cavern’s ceiling. Looking down, you can see blended colors of sea water often forming tiny whirlpools as the cave ends into the serenity of the lagoon.

2-    Identical Islets. A hard-to-explain feeling of fulfillment for your island vacations would greet you once you are inside. Looking straightforward, you cannot help but admire the sight of the islets of almost the same size resembling that of floating dish gardens adorned on water streets. Glancing downwards, you would be amazed with the reflections of its lush natural vegetation flashed in the pristine and crystal-clear waters. Occasionally, you can see a variety of birds and fruit bats hopping from one aguho and iron wood tree to another.

3-    Magnificent Rock Formations. A sight to behold in this island vacations spot are the spectacular, scenic and sometimes colorful rock formations resulting from weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock of some islets.

4-    Alluring Caverns. There are 2 small caverns inside this island vacations destination. The first is the “hagukan” due to the snoring sound it emits as the water slams into the cavern. You can enter it by swimming carefully so your head will not touch the upper portion of the low mouth entrance. There is a big rock in the central portion inside the cavern where you step on and take a rest. As light comes in through the small cavern entrance, you can witness a luminous green color of the water thereby offering the only chance for dark-skinned visitors to have a fair complexion. The other cavern is the “magkukuob” coined by the bending position you shall undertake to barely make through a low opening and walk up the steep and rocky passageway towards a skylight leading to a wooden platform right on a cliff located 15 feet above sea level for a dive back into the lagoon.

5-    The Jellyfish Kingdom. If you happen to visit this island vacations spot in the months of January to September, you will be fortunate enough to mingle and swim with a smack of stingless Spotted Jelly or Lagoon Jelly (Mastigias papua) which abound inside the cove.

Island Vacations In Sohoton Cove- Final Views

Island vacations destinations offering a variety of attractions are not-so abundant. In Sohoton, you can go sightseeing and bird watching on its thickly vegetated identical islets and scenic rock formations, snorkel and dive on its placid waters, experience fun and thrill on its caverns and swim with the friendly and harmless jellyfish. No wonder, Sohoton Cove is the emerging all-in-one island vacations spot in this part of the world.

SOHOTON COVE VITAL INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE. . .

SOHOTON COVE TIDAL CALENDAR PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .

If you are looking for world-class resorts suited for island vacations enthusiasts like you located within the vicinity of Sohoton Cove please click here and also here. However, if you are one of the budget travelers like me, you may opt to stay in a backpackers hostel featured here.

Want more emerging island vacations spots in Bucas Grande  frequented by sightseeing aficionados, please click here as well as here.

You can also see the most popular white sand beach in the island by clicking here and a seaside waterfall being featured here.

Finally, if you are looking for a Package Tour either for 1 day visit at the Sohoton Cove and its vicinity only or avail of the 3-day, 2-night package for the Bucas Grande Island Tour, please click here.

Sohoton Cave, the lone entrance and exit of the Sohoton Cove . . .

The Sohoton Cove entrance towards outside of the lagoon.

Horse's shoe rock formation inside the cove

Another angle of the horse's shoe rock formation

The verdant islets dotted on crystal-clear waters inside the cove.

Islet ranges mirrored on the placid waters had delighted these island-hoppers much.

Fantastic view from inside the Hagukan Cave inside the Sohoton Cove

The Dagongdong Rock Formation inside Sohoton Cove.

Swimming with the smack of stingless jellyfish at the Jellyfish Kingdom

Pristine waters leading to Club Tarra resort within the vicinity of Sohoton Cove.

Bird's Eye View of Club Tarra Resort near the Sohoton Cove.

Club Tarra Swimming Pool

Another fantastic view of Club Tarra Resort Swimming Pool- a sight that island vacations lovers really like to behold.