One of the places I want to go back to is Sohoton Cove. It's really a breath-taking place. The surrounding view is awesome. This place is quite underrated compared to the other island destinations like Boracay or Siargao (which is just the northern tip of Sohoton, less than an hour boat-ride away). On the other hand, I would want the place to remain under-the-radar so that it would maintain its pristine beauty because once it's overcrowded with tourists, it might lose its charm.

Satellite image of Mindanao Island

Satellite image of Sohoton Cove

HOW TO GET THERE

Claver port (still under construction that time, by this time it would have been finished and much more pleasing)

We had our trip to Sohoton Cove in the summer 2016. We went there with my family and 2 of my close friends and their families in a 3-car convoy. To go there, the jump-off point is the town of Claver in Surigao del Norte. Sohoton Cove is actually part of Bucas Grande islands under the municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte. You have to take a 45-minute boat ride from Claver port, Hayanggabon pier to Sohoton. Sohoton is like Coron they say although I haven't been to Coron, Palawan to exactly know the comparison. But judging from the steep, jagged cliffs of Coron in pictures, there's actually a resemblance. Sohoton word according to our guide means to creep under, because you have to creep under the rock arch to get inside the lagoons. They say that boats cannot enter when it's high tide. We had to wear protective helmets to go inside the cove. By the way, if you want a smoother ride from Claver to the islands, be sure to leave early at about 6:00 am so that the waters are still calmer. Davao to Claver, I would estimate to be a 5 to 6 hour ride by car in 420 km distance. If your're coming in outside of Mindanao, the nearest airport would be Surigao City. Surigao City to Claver would be about an hour by car.

When we went there, our friend already booked us an overnight package per head of about 1,800 pesos which included our lodging, lunch and dinner, all the entrance fees for the other attractions (I would mention later), and the round trip boat rides. By the way, there's a guarded parking at the pier in Claver so you don't have to worry about your car.

Tip. It is best that you book a packaged tour just like we did so that you don't have to worry about anything. You are there just to enjoy.

OUR OWN LITTLE ISLAND PARADISE


This is where we stayed in Sohoton, the Cinnamon Island Cottages. These are wooden houses with cogon roofings. At the back of these houses are cinnamon trees hence the name. We have our own tiny beach front.

(TO BE CONTINUED)