Seaside Lagoon – Where Is It

A seaside lagoon, aptly named Lagoon Tiktikan and one of the best vacation spots having crystal clear water with floating rock gardens ideal for various forms of island water sports frequently visited by island vacations junkies and island getaways seekers wanting to spend unique vacations was my next stop during my February 14, 2011 sight seeing trip to natural attractions of Bucas Grande Island in Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Seaside Lagoon – Why I Visited The Place?

As a backgrounder,  Tiktikan is a 2-hectare lagoon situated within the vicinity of Sohoton Cove in the southwestern part of the island. It is the site of the Community-Based Environmental Program for Lagoon Tiktikan Ecosystem Project, a three-year (2006-2008) undertaking funded by the Philippine-Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP). The project encompassed direct protection of Lagoon Tiktikan and its environs, development of mariculture sub-projects and bringing into picture a fishermen’s cooperative  based in the town center, who originally developed the area, as well as a peoples organization  in Barangay  Sudlon and another in San Roque to co-manage the lagoon ecosystem themselves. Lagoon Tiktikan is situated between these two barangays’ boundaries thus the inclusion of peoples organization representations from these areas was a tactical move to ensure the project’s success. Since then, the area is  ably co-managed by The TANARIZ Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TAFIMCO), a cooperative based in the town center whose members hail from the three poblacion barangays of Taruc, Navarro and Rizal, hence the acronym TANARIZ; the Sudlon Environmental Protectors Association (SOEPA) based in Barangay Sudlon and San Roque Farmers and Fishermen Association (SAROFFA)  of Barangay San Roque.

Two years after the end of the project, I decided to pay a visit to the area to see for myself its current state. From the docking area, a visitor needs to thread the uphill and downhill trail. . .

The boat lag and weariness I suffered was completely vanished upon having a glimpse of the lagoon’s  azure waters seen  in between tree trunks. . .

The Reception Cottage . . .

I was enthralled by the breath-taking view of the islet within the lagoon as viewed from the Reception Cottage . . .

I maneuvered through the trail downwards to the lagoon and I chanced upon this wholesome  signage  . . . .

Towards  the comely lagoon-side cottage . . .

I managed to convince the visiting lovely ladies Angel and Ivy of  TV 5 Butuan to pose as Tiktikan Lagoon models . . .

I went into boating in the placid waters towards the lagoon’s view deck . . .

And was attracted with the sight of the turquoise waters viewed from the Tiktikan Lagoon View Deck . . .

SAROFA President Roberto Cortina took his time broadcasting Milkfish feeds. Note the waters being disturbed by rumbling movements of the fishes grabbing for their share of  food . . .

On my way towards the paddle boat docking site, I was inspired by the sight of this perfect symmetry between the mountain ranges and its reflections on the calm lagoon waters . . . .

As our boat was about to depart from the docking area on our way to the Crystal Cave, my eyes were glued at the two innocent children and the extra-ordinary thing they were doing . . . that of utilizing a piece of styropor as their paddle boat . . .

The elegance of the glittering white stalactites and sparkling stalagmites  inside Crystal Cave located near the Tiktikan Lagoon would surely catapult the spot into  the cavers’ map . . .

Seaside Lagoon – Final Thoughts

There were 2 things that made my trip to Lagoon Tiktikan memorable. For one, I cannot forget the ingenuity of the two kids on board the styropor. A scene depicting their innocent stares kept flashing on and off in my mind until nowadays. They were at the lagoon because it was the turn of their parents, who were members of the Sohoton Environmental Protectors Association (SOEPA) to guard the place. The environmental protection endeavors of their parents would surely imbibe in their psyche. They would eventually grow to become vanguards of environmental conservation not only in the seaside lagoon but the entire island town as well.

Second, I cannot help but admire on the way the peoples organizations had managed Lagoon Tiktikan in preserving its pristine state. Their courage and determination in driving out illegal tree cutters within the vicinity of the seaside lagoon are worthy of emulation. Surely, their efforts would go a long way in making Lagoon Tiktikan as a seaside lagoon listed as among the best vacation spots by nature lovers and adventure seekers like you.

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.