For me and my friends, Sumilon Island is easily one of the most beautiful places in Cebu.
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Like, all it took was one photo of its sandbar in our group chat, and we instantly knew we had to go there while planning our trip. So when we were planning our five day Central Visayas trip (one day in Bohol and four days in South Cebu), we made sure to include Sumilon Island.
And when we realized it was right next to whale shark watching in Oslob, which we knew would be a major highlight, we thought, “Perfect! We can head straight to the island right after the whale sharks.”
Fast forward to the actual trip, did we enjoy our time on Sumilon Island? Did its sandbar live up to the hype? Well, there is no denying that the beach and sandbar looked like total paradise the entire time we were there. It was stunning.
BUT there are definitely things I wish we had done differently. Let me share our experience and some tips so you can make the most of it if you decide to visit Sumilon Island, too.
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Why Visit
If there’s a lesson learned from this trip, it’s that I definitely should have looked into Sumilon Island a bit more.
It’s honestly a pity that I realized there is so much more to experience beyond the sandbar only after we pulled up to the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort Port.
Not only that Sumilon Island has an infinity pool where you can relax, but you can also trek on a guided nature walk, kayak and catch fish in the lagoon, enjoy a boodle fight, and snorkel to see the corals and marine life. There are even cool attractions to check out like the Yamashita Cave, Our Lady of Fatima Grotto, a historical watchtower, and a lighthouse.
If I had known about all of this sooner, we could have easily asked our guide to change the itinerary for our customized group tour. Possibly, our time on Sumilon Island could have been the perfect chance to rest and chill out after all the adventures we had before getting there.
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It was also during that trip that I learned Sumilon Island belongs to Bluewater Sumilon Resorts Group. So yes, that means you have to pay for these activities, but a single Day Pass gives you access to all of them.
The island also offers high end island accommodation through Bluewater Sumilon Resort. And I would bet it’s a great opportunity to catch a beautiful sunset and sunrise while enjoying a luxury island stay.
Apparently, as we did not ask our guide to arrange our trip to see the entire island, we only visited Sumilon Island sand bar which everyone can visit for free.
Getting There
As planned, after our whale shark watching in Oslob, we went to Sumilon Island.
From the looks of it, getting there from the whale shark watching area is incredibly straightforward, especially with a private vehicle. After hopping into our van, we reached the Sumilon Island port in roughly 3 minutes. Click here to view the location of the port in Google Maps.
Honestly, the distance is well within walking distance if it isn’t too hot outside, probably around a 15 minute walk.
However, if you are commuting on a blazing summer day and walking feels uncomfortable, you can always hire a tricycle right outside the whale shark watching area to get to the port.
Once you arrive at the port, you can catch a boat ride straight to Sumilon Island.
In getting a boat ride at the port, keep this in mind: you don’t have to book an entire boat to get to Sumilon Island, even if you’re traveling as a group. Well, you definitely can if you want a private boat trip, but to save money, you can join other tourists to split the cost.
The boat ride, in our experience, lasts for around 15 to 20 minutes.
If you’re commuting from Cebu City, you can get to the Sumilon Island mainland port pretty much the same way you get to the whale shark watching area in Oslob.
Head over to the Cebu South Bus Terminal, look for a bus with a Bato-Oslob sign, and ask the conductor to drop you off at the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort Port.
These buses run nearly 24/7, departing every 30 minutes to an hour, so catching one is quite easy. Plan for a travel time of at least 3 hours.
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Good to know: if you want to see the Sumilon Island sandbar like we did without overthinking the logistics, check out the South Cebu combo tours. Usually, these packages include Sumilon Island as a quick side trip after whale shark watching, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, or the Moalboal sardine run.
When to Visit
While we had our trip in November, which falls under the rainy season in the Philippines (June to November), the weather during our visit to Sumilon Island cooperated nicely. There were clouds, but it was mostly sunny, which made the whole sightseeing experience way better.
With that said, I wouldnt recommend visiting during the rainy season, especially if you only have a few days and a less flexible itinerary. To be honest, our trip felt like a gamble. We got lucky that the bad weather missed us.
Ideally, the dry season from January to April has the best weather, but expect bigger crowds, which might ruin the experience at popular spots like Kawasan Falls Canyoneering.
Our Island Experience
Anyway, because of the nice weather, we saw how pristine and blue the waters around Sumilon even while we were still on the boat on the way to the island. It looked like a paradise from afar and the view we saw got even better when we arrived.
The first thing that caught my attention was the fine, white sand. I have been to quite a few beaches across the Philippines, but Sumilon felt totally different underfoot. Mind you, if we are talking Boracay level, Boracay still takes the crown for being powder-fine and incredibly soft.
Still, the view from Sumilon Island made us feel like we were truly in paradise. The water was warm and crystal clear, so clear that we could not wait to jump in and swim. Our expressions perfectly captured exactly how we felt in those moments:
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Even though we got incredibly lucky with the weather for a rainy season trip, the actual time of day we arrived was a total miss. Learn from our experience.
When we arrived, it was high tide, so the sandbar looked noticeably smaller compared to the photos we saw on Instagram.
Also, it was almost noon when we reached Sumilon Island. No matter how inviting the water was, the intense midday sun and heat had us searching for shade after a short while. Good thing there were grottoes right by the sandbar where we could escape the heat and cool down.
Personally, getting a dark tan was nothing. I just wanted to enjoy every moment on the island while we were still there.
There was even a time I had to call my friends lurking inside the grotto to explore the rest of the island. Haha. I pointed at the boardwalk, trying to convince them to move because other tourists were heading that way.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t drag them out. Well, I couldn’t blame them since it was scorching hot and our water bottles were completely empty. Eventually, I gave up and joined them to sightsee from the safety of the shade.
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Way Back
One hour and a half after we arrived, we finally decided to heading back to Oslob. It was nearly 12:30 by then, and we were also starving and parched.
Staying any longer wasn’t really an option anyway since we had an afternoon adventure lined up at Aguinid Falls, which is all the way on the other side of Cebu.
If you got to the island the way we did without day passes, you can return to Oslob by hopping on the same boat that drops passengers off. The fare you paid on the way to the island already covers your return trip. It was Be aware of the boat departure and arrival times for both the mainland port and Sumilon Island to adjust your schedule accordingly.
Check their website for the latest information. Here’s the FAQ Page.
If you’re interested in a day tour or staying overnight at the resort, which happens to be one of the best places to stay in Oslob, you can check the details by clicking the buttons below.
Planning to Visit Cebu?
I am here to help you plan your journey and ensure you have an incredible time. You should check out my travel maps, planning tools, itineraries and tips, which are all derived from my own adventures in Cebu.
Click the maps below to view or download them:
Cebu City
South Cebu
Central Visayas
My travel planning resources page contains everything you need. Find the best hotels, cheap car rentals, affordable flights, and travel insurance.
From this page, you can also book the top 3 unmissable activities in Cebu. You can find alternative experiences in Oslob, Badian, Sibonga, Moalboal, Bantayan, and Malapascua as well.
Of course, if you’re visiting Cebu City, I also have tips for you. And if you want to go beyond Cebu, you can discover nearby destinations like Bohol, Siquijor, and Dumaguete.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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