Melo Villareal
Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Review
Cebu, Philippines — Our third day in Cebu was probably our busiest day during the trip. We visited 7 old churches in the southern coastal towns of Cebu as part of our “Cebu Visita Iglesia” Heritage tour. Our last stop was in Bancogon Oslob – our jump-off point to Sumilon Island, where we stayed overnight. While enjoying the refreshing lemongrass with kalamansi juice in the resort receiving area in Oslob, we were welcomed by the Resident Manager of Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort (check rates).
Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
From the private port in Oslob, It only took us 20 minutes to reach the island using a private pump boat provided by the island resort. Upon arrival, we were guided to our own rooms to leave our things and freshen up while our lunch was being prepared.
There were only 14 rooms available for occupancy in the island resort. If all the rooms are fully booked, the resort has an average of only 30 guests, making you feel that you own the island for the entire length of your stay. I find the room spacious and very relaxing. Each room has a bougainvillea-lined private veranda with magnificent views of the seascape and mainland Cebu. Call it luxurious, but I love my room’s spacious toilet, shower with hot water, mini bar, and quiet air conditioning unit. Guess what the best thing I’ve got is? It’s the hammock in front of my room! It’s undoubtedly the simplest part, but I just thought its the best:)
Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is located on peaceful and private Sumilon Island. The area remains as one of Cebu’s finest beach destinations and is located on the southeastern tip of the mainland. The island is part of Cebu, but it’s much easier to reach if you come from Dumaguete City. The 3-4 hour drive can be unforgiving but seeing the panoramic view of the coastal towns is genuinely unforgettable.
The island is a 24-hectare coral island surrounded by crystal clear waters with varying aquamarine hues and vibrant colors. It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines and was made into a fish sanctuary in 1974. Sumilon Island was previously open to the public when the Island was not yet converted into a resort, but the island was threatened by pollution brought by irresponsible tourists. Thanks to Almont Holdings Incorporated (developer of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort) for developing, protecting, and maintaining this beautiful island.
The owners kept their promise of nurturing the island using materials that commune with nature. One fine example is their Pavilion with a beautiful native roof made from thatched “Nipa.” The unpaved road to the pavilion and 14 specially designed cottages made the island more rustic and untouched. To provide sustainability, the resort is also conducting coastal clean-ups and tree-planting activities once in a while.
We were supposed to trek up to the lighthouse and the watchtower that has been on the island since the 19th century, but since we arrived late in the resort, we just enjoyed our late lunch and then prepared for our cocktail party near the sandbar.
From lunch, cocktail, and dinner, our first day on the island was a gastronomic adventure. The food is surprisingly good compared to some island resorts I’ve been to. The resort offers ala carte meals and Buffet depending on the number of guests booked. Just like in Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, they also have a themed dinner highlighted by a group song and dance presentation performed by the resort’s talented officers and staff.
After dinner, we had a karaoke session in the bar next to the Pavilion. It’s palpable enough to conclude that we all love karaoke; in fact, Ronald (Manila Bulletin), Charl (Geiser Maclang), Ka Bino (Cebu Tour Guide), Dref Edz (a Cebu-based photojournalist), and myself stayed in front of the Karaoke till 3am.
We started our second day by having breakfast near the island’s natural lagoon. Imagine having an alfresco breakfast between a white sand beach and a lagoon secretly hiding around lush mangroves… That was simply the best!!!
After breakfast, we went to the sandbar area for aqua sports activities. The Islands sandbar is well known for its changing shapes and shifting locations depending on the season and weather conditions. Other groups went snorkeling first, while some of us had a short boat trip using the glass bottom boat, which gave us a great view of the island’s beautiful aquatic life.
You can enjoy many activities at Sumilon Island Resort, including trekking, fishing in the lagoon, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, etc. We failed to experience some of the island’s most exciting activities, but we had a great time overall.
Indeed, we have so many islands to discover in the Philippines, but at the end of each trip, It’s always all about something you learned from your trip, new friends you meet, and a new set of photos you captured. Traveling, for me, is all about creating your own experience that is worth sharing…. worth blogging:)
There are daily flights between Manila and Cebu City. From Cebu City, guests can take a scenic drive through the southern coastal towns of mainland Cebu. The ride offers glimpses of Filipino urban and rural life and its historical past that help form the local culture. Once outside the city limits, a relaxing trip begins through a tree-canopied highway with breathtaking views of the eastern seashores.
P.S. We were supposed to fly back to Manila via Dumaguete Airport with flight number PR 294 at 16:00H on our fourth day in Cebu, but that’s another exciting story… read Lost in Dumaguete post:)
For inquiries and reservations, you may contact:
Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Bancogon, Oslob
Cebu, Philippines
Telefax: (63 32) 481 0801
email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.bluewater.com.ph
Manila Sales Office
Room 1918 Cityland Herrera Tower
98 Herrera corner Valero Street
Salcedo Village Makati City
Telephone: (63 2) 817 5751
Fax: (63 2) 893 5391
email: [email protected]
Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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Read:
- List of Best Cebu Luxury Hotels
- Resort Review: Bluewater Sumilon Island Discovery Day 1
- Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort Review Day 2
- Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Review Day 3
- Out of Town and on Sumilon Island (Part 1)
