Sumilon Island gives more popular beaches like Boracay a run for its money. Located in Oslob, this beautiful island boasts white sand shores and clear, turquoise waters perfect for some fun under the sun.
Although privately owned by the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort Cebu, day tours are still possible for tourists. One should not miss a visit to the island’s famous white sandbar, where you can go swimming, snorkeling, and even sunbathing. You can even go on a trek to witness an amazing view of Cebu’s mainland.
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is located on tranquil Sumilon Island. The Island remains as one of Cebu’s best kept secrets and is found on the southeastern tip of the mainland. It is 125 kilometers from Cebu City and is in close proximity to Dumaguete. The island has an area of 24 hectares and is surrounded by crystal clear waters with varying aquamarine hues.
It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines and was made a fish sanctuary in 1974 under the guidance of Siliman University Marine Reserve. During dives, one will find varied marine species and even occasional sightings of black tip sharks. Pristine white sand beaches are situated in different areas in Sumilon.
Its sandbar is well known for its changing shapes and shifting locations around the island, depending on the season. On the island, there is a natural lagoon teeming with high mangroves. There are also natural caves where fishermen used to seek refuge. On the southside, a lighthouse rests on a protected tree park. Beside it is a “Baluarte”, a historical watchtower built as part of a warning system to the wart slavers and marauders in the 19th century.
~TOTAL AREA
24 hectares
GETTING HERE:
•Via Plane
From Cebu:
Take a taxi cab going to South Bus Terminal and ride a Ceres Bus going to Bato Oslob. You may just inform the driver to drop you off in Bancogon Oslob at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort’s port. Time Travel is 3-4 hours land travel and 7-10 minutes boat ride going to Sumilon Island.
From Dumaguete:
Take a taxi cab going to Sibulan port and ride a fast craft or a pump boat going to Li-loan port for 30 minutes. From Li-loan port you may take a public vehicle going to our port in Bancogon Oslob. Time travel is approximately 1hour land and boat travel.
•Via Vessel
From Bohol to Dumaguete via fast craft – approximately 2 hours
From Dumaguete to Santander Cebu via Ferry Boat – approximately 40 minutes
From Dumaguete to Bluewater Sumilon Via private pumpboat – approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
•Via Car
From Cebu City to Bluewater Sumilon via Van/Car/Taxi – approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
From Cebu City South Bus Terminal to Bluewater Sumilon via bus – approximately 4 hours
Pick up/Drop Off Service Rates
•BOAT SCHEDULE
Mainland Bancogon to Sumilon Island
08:00 AM
09:30 AM
11:00 AM
12:30 PM
02:00 PM
04:30 PM
Sumilon Island to Mainland Bancogon
09:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 NN
01:30 PM
03:30 PM
05:00 PM
~Boat Transfer Requests
* Additional P1,500 for boat transfer requests in between the regular boat trip schedule (08:00 AM to 05:00 PM).
* Additional P2,500 for boat transfer requests beyond the regular boat trip schedule (before 08:00 AM and beyond 05:00 PM). Special boat trip requests are until 08:00 PM only.
* Subject to boat availability and weather condition. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Prior reservation is advised.
•Sumilon Island’s Sandbar
Like whale watching at Oslob we didn’t include Sumilon in our itinerary when we started planning our trip. We’ve seen photos of the Sumilon sandbar before but thought it required a separate trip. However one of our friends who had recently gone to Oslob suggested we try out Sumilon. It’s just 15 minutes away by motorized banca or outrigger boat from Oslob she told us. We needed no further urging. Before doing the whale shark watching we arranged with BCD’s Place for a boat to take us to Sumilon.
Sumilon is actually privately owned with a resort in place: the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort. It is not really a place for shoestring travelers but the resort owner allows non-resort guests to stay at the sandbar for a minimal fee. And this sandbar happens to be the most remarkable natural feature of the small island.
We got to Sumilon just in time for lunch which we took aboard our boat (the sandbar has no facilities and not even a shade). Afterwards we bummed around the place and even walked to the main island where we climbed up a rock precipice for a panoramic view of the sandbar.
When we arrived here a good portion of the sandbar was still visible, but somewhat similar to our experience at the Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais, by early afternoon the sandbar was almost fully submerged courtesy of the high tide. The water here is not as deep as in Manjuyod and there was a bit of the white sand still above water, however, so we could roam around without the need for life vests. And like Manjuyod’s the waters here are crystal-clear. It was evident, however, that if we wanted a more dramatic view of Sumilon’s sandbar, one with the white sand fully exposed, we would have to be here quite early in the morning.
Aventurier 