BLUEWATER SUMILON: South Cebu’s Eco Luxury Private Island Getaway!

Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort is one of Cebu’s high-end resorts situated on the 24-hectare Sumilon island off the tip of Southern Cebu.

The word Sumilon comes from the word “sumilong”, which means to take refuge, as the island’s caves serve as shelters for fishermen from incoming storms.

The island itself is filled with history and natural attractions. Whether its being surrounded by crystal clear waters with beautiful varying aquamarine hues, snorkeling in the first ever marine sanctuary, and lying on its white sand shifting sandbar, or kayaking at the natural lagoon, swimming with the whale sharks, and even the occasional sighting of black tip sharks, Sumilon has something for everyone!

We love the resort because of the Filipino lifestyle experience with their modern Filipino rooms and the warmest greetings from their fully employed all-Filipino staff.

BLUEWATER SUMILON BEACH RESORT
Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu
E-mail: sumilon@bluewater.com.ph
Phone: (63 32) 318 3129, 318 9098
Mobile: +63917 631 7512, +63999 885 8337
Website: www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph
Facebook: BluewaterSumilon
Twitter: @BlueSumilon

Related Blog Post: The Legend of SUMILON Island

En Route to Sumilon Island

Sumilon is 3 hours away from Cebu City. You can park your cars and wait at the lobby for the boat to arrive going to the main island.

 

Make sure to check the boat schedules upon arriving and on leaving the island.

 

Boat Schedule: Mainland Bancogon <==> Sumilon Island <==> Mainland Bancogon

 

Boat from central island to Sumilon island takes 10-15 min, depending on the weather. The boat is very spacious and provides life jackets for safety.

 

Private Dinner

One of the most memorable parts of our stay was the picturesque private dinner by the lagoon. The package consist of a full course dinner and charming set-up by the beach.

It’s a great way to have a more intimate time with close friends and family.

 

If you’re looking to sweep her off her feet, Bluewater also offers a private romantic dinner by the lagoon or sandbar setting. Their package consists an aphrodisiac-inspired menu that will be prepared and served by your personal attendant.

 

There was even a bonfire to help elevate the mood.

 

Beef Salpicao Basket (Appetizer)

Savory and tender bite-size meat that compliments their specialty garlic sauce.

 

Chicken Binakol (Soup)

Binakol is another Cebuano specialty that’s like tinola but with a twist–using coconut water and meat in the soup. It’s a little sweeter than tinola because of the coconut water and meat.

 

Adobo Rice, Surf and Turf Au Jus, Sugba Platter (Main Course)

Fried rice mixed in pork adobo sauce topped with fried crispy liempo. A must-try!

 

Surf and turf always offers the best of sea and land. Here we get fresh prawns and juicy steak wrapped in bacon, with some mashed potato and tangy gravy sauce on the side.

 

The Sugba Platter consists of a mix of classic favorites including fresh squid, crab, tanigue, and pork liempo.

 

Bluewater Fresh Fruit Halo-Halo (Dessert)

Fresh fruits of the season topped with your choice of ice cream and served in a coconut shell. Sweet and satisfying, this is a beloved traditional dessert made healthy!

 

Bluewater Sumilon Rooms

The island is 24 hectares in size but only makes use of a certain small area. They have 30 rooms in total ranging from deluxe rooms, villas, and even glamping sites.

The deluxe room is a spacious 58.3 sqm room complete with two queen-size beds and a private veranda that offers a fantastic view of the open sea.

 

It has a beach feel with relaxing subtle tones.

 

You can fit up to six people inside.

 

A dresser, with the information you need like a map of the island and room service.

 

Bluewater Resorts are known for their big bathrooms. The wooden rack is a great touch for hanging wet clothes after swimming.

 

A veranda with lounge chairs where you can chill…

 

…and wooden tabo to wash beach sand off your feet.

Tip: For honeymooners, I suggest you book the 1 Br Villa. It has its own dipping pool overlooking the cliff!

 

There is an infinity pool with a view of the sunrise in front of the resto. It is 4ft to 7ft deep. You can also turn on bubbles in the mini pool (ask the lifeguard for assistance).

 

The Pavilion is the only place where you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner (for check-in guests). We love the Modern Filipino architecture, from the “nipa” roofing to the al fresco setting. Plus you get to see a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean while dining.

It’s open daily from 6am to 10pm. In house guests can opt to order a la carte or dine at the buffet. The only theme dinner they have is Barrio Fiesta, which serves Filipino food.

If meals are not included in the package. Here are the rates:
Breakfast Buffet P850 (50% off for kids 5-11yrs old)
Lunch Buffet P1100 with 1 round drink
Dinner Buffet P1250

 

Breakfast Buffet

One of the best parts of our stay was having a delicious Pinoy-style breakfast. Breakfast is served from 6am-9am.

We had the classics–chicken adobo, sweet tocino, and pork bistek, paired with sunny side up eggs, garlic rice, fresh tropical fruits, and hot cocoa.

 

Don’t forget to order the “chorizo” also known as Filipino sausage; Cebu is known for its red, fatty, sweet, and spicy chorizo.

 

Cheese section.

 

Selection of salad and cold cuts.

 

Cereal and milk. You can even have dried mangoes, raisins, pineapples, and nuts as toppings. Cebu’s dried mangoes are famous for their distinct sour and sweet taste.

 

My favorite would be the Suman at Manga (Sticky Rice with Mango). Pair this with some hot chocolate.

 

You can also have them custom-make your chicken sotanghon soup.

 

Pancakes and hotdog waffles.

 

Chorizo, hotdog, chicken longganisa, and crispy bacon.

 

They also have good siomai in the Chinese section.

 

For something refreshing, there’s fruit-infused water and orange juice.

 

Island Activities

Most of the child-friendly island activities can be done in the lagoon area. They have a natural lagoon that’s perfect for fishing, fish feeding, and kayaking.

 

You can steer clear of the mangroves in the calm waters (Note: The activities are free as they are part of your package; the kayak and pedal boat are on a first come-first serve basis).

For fish food and fishing bait, you can approach the front desk at the pavilion.

 

You can bask in the white sands of their shifting sandbar.

Note: the sandbar is a public area, so expect some guests who are outsiders.

 

This photo was taken during a high tide. It’s advisable to visit during low tide when the sandbar is mostly visible.

 

There are three snorkeling areas in the island: in front of the lagoon area, the beach front, and the best spot–the marine sanctuary.

 

There are many tropical fishes including the grouper, parrot fish, black tip reef sharks, yellow multi-banded pipefish, and clown fish.

 

You can ask the snorkeling instructor for the best spots to watch the fish.

 

The Sumilon Island Marine Sanctuary is the first marine sanctuary protected by Siliman University since 1974. Going there require a 50-100 meter swim from the sandbar.

However, you can also rent a boat for P1500, good for five people with an additional of P300 for each person in excess of that.

 

Be sure to avoid rough corals and sea urchins. Best to use your aqua shoes or fins if you have them.

Tip: Life vest and snorkel gear are free (part of the package) at the dive shop.

 

You can also do trekking in the island. There are three levels–beginner, moderate, and advanced.

Tip: A map located in your room will help you navigate through the paths.

 

For the beginner level, you can follow the yellow trail, which can be done in 30 minutes. For the moderate level, you follow the blue trail which can be done in 45-60 minutes.

 

For the advanced level, you follow the red trail for 60-90 minutes. You’ll pass by the lighthouse, the 19th century old Baluarte, a view overlooking the marine sanctuary, the sandbar, and the Yamashita Cave.

 

Note: Majority of guests to the island avail of their day tour package.

The day tour package is P1500/person for weekdays and P2000/person for weekends, inclusive of buffet lunch and island activities (kayak, snorkel, pedal boat, fish feeding, and trekking), snorkel mask, life vest, towels, and round trip boat transfer.

Lunch for the day tour guests are at the lagoon area.

 

They also offer special tour packages like whale shark encounter and visiting the nearby Tumalog falls.

(Note: P1500/person including complimentary water, van transfer, entrance fee to the whale shark area, mask snorkel, and life vest. An additional fee is charged for fins.)

Getting super close to the whale sharks in Oslob is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. Whale sharks, locally known as “butanding”, are the world’s largest fish, measuring up to 18m and weighing more than 30 tons.

 

Only manually paddled boats are permitted since motorized boats could potentially hurt the whale sharks. You only have a 30-minute window to see the whale shark to give everyone an equal chance to view them. The whale sharks gather in one area near the beach where the fishermen feed them krill/zooplankton every morning.

 

When you’re in the water, it’s easy to get all excited and forget the rules! Remember to stay 4-6 meters away from these gentle giants and strictly avoid the tail and fins.

Don’t forget to bring you underwater camera to capture the amazing experience!

 

Dinner Buffet 

For starters, we loved their creamy pumpkin soup.

 

Summer fruit salad, lettuce & pineapple salad, spicy squid salad.

 

They have a sushi bar with different kinds of rolls. They were just so-so for us.

 

The pizza section is our favorite! Each pizza has its own interesting topping like adobo, carbonara, and the vegetarian.

 

Slow braised pork kare-kare. I love the soft lean meat with the peanuty kare-kare sauce. Pair it with bagoong (shrimp paste).

 

The meat section is filled with juicy grilled chicken, pork liempo, and Cebu’s famous chorizo.

 

Liempo with traditional herbs and spices, similar to how you would prepare Lechon Cebu.

 

Pair your meal with their binagoongan fried rice!

 

There is also a pancit or pasta station.

 

You can custom-make your own noodles.

 

For dessert, I loved their moist banana cake and red velvet.

 

Overall, we loved our stay at Bluewater Sumilon because of:
– Private island beach resort feel
– White sand shifting sandbar
– Special themed private dinners
– Natural attractions
– Child-friendly activities
– Friendly Filipino Staff
– Filipino architecture and interior design
– Awesome snorkeling and diving sites
– Near attractions like the whale shark encounter and Tumalog falls
– Plus for an island, we were surprised by the stable internet access

We don’t like:
– The mix of outside guests and day trippers that crowd at the sandbar
– The buffet gets crowded on weekends, and
– That you’re bound to their boat schedule

 

BLUEWATER SUMILON BEACH RESORT
Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu
E-mail: sumilon@bluewater.com.ph
Phone: (63 32) 318 3129, 318 9098
Mobile: +63917 631 7512, +63999 885 8337
Website: www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph
Facebook: BluewaterSumilon
Twitter: @BlueSumilon

Related Blog Post: The Legend of SUMILON Island

 

Live an Awesome Life,

Abi, Boom, Sean, and Nico of Team Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: We were guests at Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.

P.S. It’s also advisable to fly from Manila to Dumaguete, as it only takes one and a half hour with land and boat transfer going to the island. It costs P8,000 from Sumilon to Dumaguete (private boat) for ten people.