Surigao Bucas Grande Islands + Siargao: The Plan, The Budget and Itinerary

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I heard about this place in Surigao where you can touch the jellyfish, and they won’t sting! I heard this from a fellow traveller in UBBE Palaui way back in 2010. The place was not that popular yet. Summer 2012, pictures of these jellyfish in Sohoton Natural Park plagued my Facebook timeline. Flashback moment: Oh, I’ve heard about this! 

In July 2012, I chanced upon Airphil’s Php 188 seat sale and booked an RT flight from Manila to Surigao. The base fare was Php 376.000 but adding all the add-ons, the total fare amounted to Php 1,334. Ganun na talaga ang "seatsale" ngayon.

I excitedly started researching about my itinerary and projected costs. Ooops, it seems that the costs are quite pricey for a solo traveller. For one, I will have to rent the entire boat myself (gulp!).

So I shared the details of my trip to my travel buddies in my GenSan-Saranggani trip. Abangers mode ng seat sale. By November 2012, they were able to book their own flights. Yay! There was a total of 6 pax for this trip. So... getting a package was an option.

The table below reflects the estimated costs if we do it DIY all the way. I got the group costs from various blogs and forums over the internet. I can't vouch for the accuracy. 



PARTICULARS
NOTES
GROUP COST
COST/PAX
Sohoton boat rental
3,500.00
583.33
Boat docking fee
Php 100 per boat
100.00
16.67
One-time entrance fee for all attractions


25.00
Life vest rental

30.00
Pumpboat rental and boatman's fee for Sohoton Cove
Good for 3 pax
500.00
166.67
Tour Guide Fee
2 guides per boat - P 330 per boat
660.00
110.00
Snorkel Gear

100.00
Sohoton National Park
Includes various entrance fees, environmental fees, and boat transfers

635.00
Lunch
Lunch during tour is usually "paluto"
300.00
TOTAL of DIY Option

1,966.67


I researched tour operators for Bucas Grande Islands and it seems that Sir Ed of Island Vacations is quite popular. I texted him inquiring about the package tours and he referred me to Sir Tata Bulabog. 



He offered us a package costing Php 2,600 for the 6 of us. This includes an additional night of accommodation in Cinnamon Island and food (quite plenty). AND. The convenience of not having to pay for every step of the way. Sold! We got a the tour package! 

Cinnamon Island

The table below reflects our itinerary and the actual costs incurred during the trip. This includes airfare and excludes pasalubong purchases.





TIME
PARTICULARS
NOTES
ACTUAL COST (PHP)

Airfare via 2P

                        1,334.00




DAY 1
Depart Manila/ Surigao







Breakfast at McDo
MRT Taft
134.00

Jeep to NAIA 3

8.00

NAIA 3 Terminal Fee

200.00
11:00
Depart Manila


12:30
Arrive Surigao
Travel buddies

12:40
Arrive Surigao
Me


Wait for others


14:00
Airport to city proper







Trike to Mall

20.00

Lunch in Jollibee Surigao

99.00

Van to Hayanggabon Port
“chance opportunity”
120.00

Pay the package

2,600.00




DAY 2
Bucas Grande Island Tour


4:30
Wake-up call



Sohoton Cove



Tiktikan Lake



Crystal Cave



Magkuku-ob Cave



Tiktikan Lake
One paddle boat per person


Jellyfish Sanctuary



Hagukan Cave
Half-submerged cave


Hidden Island Resort



Lunch



Club Tara Resort



Overnight in Islander Vacation in Socorro
Early travel to Siargao the next day
250.00





Tip

100.00

Ensaymada

5.00

Dinner in Socorro

50.00




DAY 3
Socorro to Siargao


4:30am
Wake up Call



Pandesal

4.00

Port Fee

3.00

Brunch

260.00
5 - 8am
Sea travel to Siargao Island
May fluctuate depending on the date
200.00

Habal habal to General Luna (Roundtrip)
per person
40.00

Island Hopping (Guyam, Dako, Naked)
Php 1,5000 boat
250.00

Guyam Island entrance fee

10.00

Resort Room
Quad sharing room
250.00

Junk Food

50.00

Dinner

260.00

Water

40.00




DAY 4
Depart Surigao/Arrive Manila


3:30am
Early

70.00

Tip to trike driver

30.00

Ferry from Siargao to Surigao

173.00

Terminal fee

10.00

Multicab
2 rides
20.00

McDo Lunch

159.00
12:50
Depart Surigao
Batch 1

13:00
Depart Surigao
Me

14:40
Arrive Manila



TOTAL

6,749.00

Notes:
The Siargao-Surigao boat schedules vary. This depends on the functioning boat during the trip. There was only one boat departing for Surigao during our departure date, so we have to wake up really early to secure a seat in the boat.

Break your bills. It would be really helpful if you have Php 20’s, 50’s and 100’s instead of having all Php 1,000 bills.

If you decide to stay in Cinammon Cotttages, note that there’s no electricity. Bring your own powerbank.

Contact Details:
Tata Bulabog - Tour Operator - 09399043585
Point 303 Siargao - 09198268837
Lito Trike Driver Siargao – 09168665890. He may ask you to call him to confirm you schedule. Kasi daw, baka “pinagtitripan” lang sya ng mga kasama nya.
Rodel Siargao Habal Habal - 09094235305
Ben Siargao Boatman - 09215114499

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