A Day in Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort: A Travel Guide
I got awake due to an alarm. It was lazy dawn, and getting up was a bit of a challenge. The cold breeze blowing from the windows, the refreshing scent of my pillows, and the deafening silence were all conducive to good sleep.
I reached my noisy phone from the bedside, and then checked the alarm. A note stating, “Trip to Sumilon” was flashing with the vibration rhythm. That text, for some reason, fully woke me up. I could feel my body pumping some adrenaline.
I was ready and all packed up in a matter of 30 minutes. I then grabbed my phone and booked a trip with Grab to our rendezvous. It was a trip with the select members of Cebu Bloggers Society.
The boat station to Sumilon Island was 3 hours away from Cebu City. That would mean that I can still catch some sleep, which I did.
Giving back to the Community: Bluewater Social Responsibility
That visit was very special for Bluewater Sumilon. It was the lighting of the Tree of Hope—the resort’s version of Christmas Tree—to officially welcome the holiday season. The event was also to signal its continuing commitment in sustaining the surrounding communities and the less fortunate.
In a parallel celebration is “Walk among the Stars”, a benefit dinner, which proceeds go to the pre-selected beneficiary schools.
Among those who graced the event are the executives from Bluewater Resorts, the mayors of the municipalities of Oslob and Santander, and the three reigning queens of Miss Earth Philippines 2016.
Interesting Activities in Sumilon
Since the activities were spread in different time slots, we were given tours in between.
The organizers proudly showed us their vegetable garden on the island, as well as the bee farm. The resort sourced some of the ingredients of their select dining offers from the farm.
Being a beach person, the sand bar is my favorite part. The white sand extends from the northwestern edge of Sumilon Island, creating a stunning supplementation to the clear, aquamarine shallows. The hills from the mainland also make a great backdrop.
On the east part is a chick white strip which is also good for beach bumming activities. Adjacent to it is a lagoon where you can go kayaking.
The sole resort in Sumilon Island also features a lovely infinity pool. Since it is facing slightly east, a sunrise dip is very dramatic.
How to Get to Sumilon Island
From Manila, you can take a flight to either Cebu or Dumaguete. The closer option, however, is via Dumaguete.
From Dumaguete, hop on a bus to Sibulan, and then board a ferry to Liloan, Santander. From Liloan, board a bus to Cebu City and tell the conductor to drop you off at Sumilon port.
From Cebu’s South Bus Terminal, take a bus to Bato with via Oslob route, and then alight in front of Sumilon port. Note that the “via Barili” route won’t pass Sumilon port.
If you did the canyoneering or you came from Moalboal, and then you decided to visit Sumilon Island afterward, wait for a Bato-bound bus along the highway. From Bato terminal, transfer to another bus bound for Cebu, and then alight near the Sumilon port. Make sure that you take the bus that passes Oslob. Confirm the bus route with your conductor.
Boats from Sumilon port to Sumilon Island leave the mainland as early as 08:00AM. It is then followed by 09:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM, 02:00PM, and 04:30PM departures. The return trip leaves the island as early as 09:00AM followed by 10:30AM, 12:00PM, 01:30PM, 03:30PM, and 05:00PM.
Sumilon Island Tour Package
A day tour on the island costs ₱1,500 for weekdays or ₱2,000 for weekends or holidays. This includes the roundtrip boat transfer, use of infinity pool, toilet and bath facilities, island trekking, snorkeling, and lunch. Bluewater Sumilon encourages you to reserve prior to your visit.
If you want to stay overnight, Sumilon Bluewater would be very happy to accommodate you. Glamping or glamorous camping starts at ₱8,000 while deluxe room starts at ₱12,000
For the updated rates, you may check Agoda.