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Sumilon Island is an idyllic little island in the southeast of Cebu. It sits near Oslob and is especially known for its untouched nature, crystal-clear water and breathtaking beaches. The island is a popular destination for travelers seeking peace and nature while also enjoying activities like snorkeling, hiking and relaxing spa experiences.
With the exclusive Bluewater Resort Sumilon offers a perfect mix of luxury and seclusion, yet day visitors can enjoy the island too. You’ll find all the information on Sumilon Island in this guide.
Sumilon Island Guide
Location of Sumilon Island: Sumilon Island is in the south of Cebu, about 125 kilometers south of Cebu City. It is one of the islands of the Tañon Strait and can be reached via the port of Oslob or the Bluewater Resort’s private ferry terminal. The island covers around 25 hectares and is especially known for its breathtaking nature and calm.
Getting There from Cebu City
- Cebu Airport: Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the main airport for international and domestic flights.
- Drive to Oslob: From the airport you reach Oslob in about 3 to 4 hours by car. A private transfer* works best here and can be booked conveniently online in advance.
- Ferry to Sumilon Island: From Oslob you continue by boat. Bluewater Resort has a private ferry terminal with daily crossings at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 2:00 pm. The boat ride only takes about 10 minutes and takes you straight to the island. The crossing is included in the day pass and overnight stays (see below).
Getting There from Moalboal
If you’re in Moalboal (about 2 hours from Oslob), you can take a taxi or scooter to the terminal and use the same boat transfer to reach Sumilon Island. Here too we recommend booking the transfer online*; the prices barely differ and you save yourself the hassle of searching and haggling on the spot.
Day Trips to the Public Sandbar and Island Hopping from Oslob
From Oslob visitors can easily book day trips to the public sandbar. These tours are available both on site and online and are a simple way to experience the nearby island and the impressive sandbar. The crossing to the public sandbar only takes about 30 minutes. Many operators in Oslob offer tailored packages that include snorkeling and swimming in the clear water. For a day trip you can charter boats either privately or as a group tour, depending on the kind of experience you prefer. In general, though, we prefer the Bluewater Resort day pass*, which offers an even better experience (see next section).
Bluewater Resort Day Pass
The Bluewater Resort day pass is, in our view, the best option for exploring the island if you don’t want to stay overnight. With the day pass, which costs about €33 per person (roughly +€5 on weekends), you can access all areas of the island and also use the resort pools.
The price includes the round-trip transfer from the pier and access to all beaches and both pools. You can also eat and drink for free at the buffet in the resort’s beach restaurant, which more than justifies the €33 overall.
We recommend taking the 8 am or 9 am ferry to Sumilon Island and then the last one back to Cebu at 3 pm. The 6–7 hours on the island are more than enough to experience both beaches, snorkel a bit and relax by the pool.
You can book the Sumilon Island day pass here*
Accommodation on Sumilon Island: Bluewater Resort
The Bluewater Resort* is the only resort on the island, and many parts of the island are private and reserved for guests. It offers beautiful, well-equipped bungalows with a direct sea view and a private terrace. Amenities include:
- Two double beds, smart TV, minibar, fridge and a nice bathroom.
- Private terraces with a sea view, ideal for relaxed hours.
The bungalows offer plenty of space and are perfect for couples or families looking for secluded yet comfortable accommodation.
Also worth highlighting are the infinity pool with a sea view and the beach pool at the beach restaurant. The resort also has a bar, two restaurants and of course room service.
Depending on the season, a night costs about €140 per room. Rooms can sleep up to 4 people because there are two large double beds. A hotel review can be found here.
You can best book the hotel online: Trip.com* / Agoda* / Booking* / Cebu101 price comparison
Activities & Beaches on Sumilon Island
Sumilon Island offers a small but fine selection of activities suited both to adventure seekers and to those looking to unwind. All activities are reserved for hotel guests or day-pass holders, because all the “sights” listed here are in the private resort part of the island.
Free Activities on Sumilon Island
- Visit the sandbar: The Sumilon sandbar is a popular spot you can use for free. It’s a small stretch of white beach that becomes especially visible at low tide. Only this section is accessible on group tours booked without a day pass.
- Bluewater Beach: The resort’s exclusive beach with a swimming pool and snorkeling; the reef is breathtaking and among the best around Cebu.
- Hiking: There are various hiking routes, including three trails to the watch tower (Baluarte Watch Tower), from which you get a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
- snorkeling: There are several snorkel spots around the island where you can explore the region’s underwater world. Snorkeling around the sandbar is often recommended, though the variety of marine life there is limited. Much better is the protected house reef at Bluewater Beach, which for us ranks among the top snorkel spots in Asia!
- Grotto: A small cave with a statue of Mary.
- Yamashita Cave: A cave used by the Japanese during World War II to hide gold treasures. Unfortunately the cave is empty nowadays 😉
Other Activities
- Billiards and table tennis: For some sporty fun there is a billiard table and table tennis.
- Bird watching: A popular offering on the island, especially for nature lovers who want to observe the local birdlife.
- Baby shark watching: Daily activities where visitors can watch baby sharks near the coast. Unfortunately no sharks showed up during our visit.
Exclusive Paid Activities
- snorkeling: There are paid snorkel tours to more specialized spots around the island. For us, though, the house reef was more than enough.
- Spa: The Spa on a cliff offers private massages and treatments in a breathtaking setting.
Conclusion Sumilon Island: Ideal for Peace and Seclusion
Sumilon Island is perfect for travelers seeking peace and nature. Private access to the island creates an especially relaxed atmosphere, because no outside visitors are allowed. The exclusivity of Bluewater Resort helps make the stay particularly pleasant and quiet — which can also be a downside for anyone who wants to explore the island without staying overnight.
The various hiking trails, snorkeling and bird watching also make the island a great destination for nature lovers. The range of activities is varied and enough for 2–3 days without getting bored.
Sumilon Island is an ideal destination for anyone longing for peace, nature and an exclusive experience. The Bluewater Resort offers everything you could want for a relaxed holiday: from luxurious accommodation and a variety of activities to first-class service and a breathtaking setting. The island suits not only those looking to unwind, but also adventurers who want to combine nature and relaxation.
Still have questions about Sumilon Island? Feel free to leave a comment!