10 reasons why you will love Sumilon Island

For such a compact island, Sumilon has many things to offer for the intrepid adventurer or if you’re the type who just want to relax and have a good vacation. From luxurious comforts, sumptuous food to family fun and adventure like hiking, kayaking and birdwatching to just swimming in the clear and cool waters.

This is why I just love this island. Pristine, rugged and with creature comforts. It’s an escape that is not too far from Cebu City and is a good base to check out the whale sharks in Tanawan. The resort also accepts day trippers for those who just want a brief break from routine. Below are the top 10 reasons why you will really love this island.

1 Try G-L-A-M-P-I-N-G

Want to try the outdoors but still be comfortable? Glamping is the buzzword. There are several big tents near the north beach side. But if you think you’ll be using uncomfortable sleeping bags, think again. The tents are spacious enough to accommodate two single beds, a desk table with lamp, some compact cabinets, an electric fan and foldable chairs. How’s that for roughing it up comfortably?

2 Beautiful shifting sand bar, pristine beaches

The main draw of Sumilon Island is the shifting sand bar. It’s a gorgeous tongue of land that, depending on the time of the year can be at different locations. The water is just so clear and clean and from a distance, very picturesque. There are also other beaches around the island, especially the north side that has an undeveloped strip.

READ MORE: Stunning sandbar, pristine beach at Sumilon Island

3 Luxurious villas perfect for a vacation

Large and spacious villas fit for the family with it’s own pool or for a couple with an equally spacious toilet and bath. Airconditioned, luxurious and safe. These villas are tucked in quiet areas of the island but still close and walking distance to The Pavilion. These have verandas as well as just close by the sea where you can lounge and listen to the waves.

MORE IMAGES: Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Villa

4 Good and sumptuous food

There’s the buffet lunch and breakfast with different sections that are good tasting and sating. Ala carte dining is also available with a good selection of Filipino and international dishes prepared and cooked by talented chefs. The lechon kawali is a must and so is the Cebuano dry adobo served with adobo rice inside a bamboo container.

READ MORE: Enjoying Sumilon Bluewater Resort’s good food

5 Hit the trails around the island

You should hike around the island so that you can appreciate more what the island has to offer. There are three different trails catering to different fitness levels: beginners, moderate and advanced. The last one takes you around the island and is the longest of the trails. You get to see the watchtower, a lighthouse. Visit various viewpoints that has stunning vistas below. You can do this with or without a guide.

READ MORE: Hit the trails of Sumilon Is., one of the best there is

6 Dive and explore the marine riches

After exploring terra firma, go underwater and see what Sumilon has to offer. The island is popular with divers and snorkelers because of its rich coral gardens. From colorful fishes and beautiful corals, to nudibranches and other interesting marine denizens. Be prepared to be surprised!

7 There’s a cave and a rock shelter with a grotto

What makes Sumilon more interesting is the presence of the Yamashita Cave and a rock shelter with a statue of the Virgin Mary. It’s accessible too, just beside the main path between The Pavilion and sandbar and doesn’t entail a long trek.

8 Sumilon Island is perfect for birdwatching

Because of its thick vegetation, Sumilon Island is home to different species of birds. At the beach side, I had a great time observing several sunbirds (Cebunao: tamsi), both male and female, jumping from one branch to another. There were glossy starlings (gansiyang) with shiny black feathers and blood shot eyes noisily congregating at different trees near the lagoon. A night heron was also sighted flying into the mangroves. And many more including grown doves (tukmo).

9 Explore the mangrove area at the lagoon

The lagoon with its thick mangroves has standing water perfect for kayaking where you can explore the area. It’s quite safe for children too as the water is still unlike at the open sea where you have to contend with the waves. It’s just small but has interesting bird life too that you can observe.

10 Learn a piece of Spanish colonial history

In the rocky interior of the island is a quadrilateral moro watchtower built in the 19th century. This outpost was used to keep watch of muslim slave raiders and alert the townspeople of an impending incursion. This is just one of a series of telegraphic watchtowers from Carcar to Santander and was instrumental in the transfer of present day Oslob town.

READ MORE: The quadrilateral watchtower in Sumilon Island

Thanx to Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort for the staycation.

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob,
Cebu, Philippines 6025
sumilon@bluewater.com.ph
+63 32 3183129/318 9098
+63 917 6317512/+63 999 8858337
www.bluewater.com.ph