Bucas Grande focuses on sustainable nature tourism with lagoons and jellyfish sanctuary

Socorro – 21 July 2026: The island of Bucas Grande in the southern Philippines is attracting growing attention as a destination for nature-oriented tourism. At its center are the lagoons and limestone formations of Sohoton Cove, as well as a sanctuary containing jellyfish that, according to Philippine tourism institutions, do not cause painful stinging reactions. A recent report cites around 7,000 foreign visitors to the still comparatively lightly visited island last year.

Bucas Grande belongs to the municipality of Socorro in the province of Surigao del Norte and lies east of Mindanao in the Siargao island region. The provincial administration describes Sohoton as a system of interconnected water basins surrounded by densely vegetated karst hills. In addition to the jellyfish lagoon, well-known destinations include several caves, smaller rocky islets and mangrove areas.

Access to individual lagoons and grottos depends on the tides and local safety requirements. Visitors therefore rely on boats, knowledgeable local guides and approved operators. This arrangement is intended to prevent travelers from taking risks in narrow passages or during unfavorable water levels. At the same time, it generates income for boat operators, tour guides and smaller tourism businesses in Socorro.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has listed Bucas Grande as a designated tourism development zone since 2018. According to authorities, the area covers 167.7 hectares. The concept combines accommodation and leisure facilities with the protection of coastal landscapes, caves and plant life. The goal of promotion is to bring more value creation to the municipality without fundamentally altering the character of its natural areas.

The jellyfish sanctuary is Sohoton Cove’s most distinctive feature. The animals are described in Philippine tourism materials as low-sting; nevertheless, respectful conduct remains essential. Swimming among the jellyfish is permitted only under the conditions set by local operators. Touching, feeding or removing animals would endanger the fragile ecosystem and runs counter to the principle of nature-compatible visits.

Tourism is of considerable economic importance to the Philippines. According to data from the national statistics authority, value added directly attributable to tourism accounted for around 8.1 percent of the country’s economic output in 2025. Small destinations such as Bucas Grande can benefit from this development if revenues remain local and visitor numbers are compatible with effective protection rules.

Current attention could place Bucas Grande more firmly on international travel routes. For Socorro, this represents an economic opportunity but also a responsibility: the lagoons, caves and jellyfish sanctuary are attractive precisely because they are not designed for mass tourism. The key question will be whether the municipality can manage visitor flows and finance the long-term protection of natural habitats.