Lagoon

Tojoman Lagoon is a sheltered, enclosed lagoon within Sohoton Cove, located off Bucas Grande near Siargao Island in the Philippines. Access is by non-motorised banca only — paddling is required to enter — as motorised vessels were found to disturb the ecosystem of the lagoon's resident jellyfish population, which previously relocated from an earlier lagoon for the same reason.

The lagoon is surrounded by lush green vegetation and has clear water shallow enough to see the floor, with a bottom of sparse corals and sea urchins alongside the jellyfish. Entry is from a banca; a surface current at the entrance can run moderately strong, requiring a quick paddle through, while the interior is notably calm and quiet.

The defining feature of Tojoman Lagoon is its population of stingless jellyfish — brown and bluish individuals reported, ranging from small to large — which can be encountered by snorkelling. Their presence is seasonal, and numbers vary with visitor activity, as disturbance causes the animals to sink deeper in the water column. Timing visits to quieter periods gives the best chance of dense aggregations near the surface.