Sumilon Island – a Paradise Resort

I was lucky to get to Sumilon last year and wouldn’t mind going back again if someone will treat me. You don’t just pick 2000 Php from anywhere after all.

So, how to get to Sumilon?

First make a reservation because it’s the polite thing to do. You need to inform them in advance that their day will be blessed because of your presence. I got this information from their site so in case you can’t connect with them anymore, please don’t shoot the messenger.

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Oslob
Cebu 6025, Philippines
Telefax No. (63) (32) 481 – 0801
Email Address: sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph
URL: www.bluewater.com.ph

And then the long-awaited day finally arrived. We met in South Bus Terminal to ride a bus bound for Bato, Oslob which cost us 125 pesos on Sunrays Bus and 140 pesos on Ceres. Take your pick! I’m sure you’ll get there very much alive still if it isn’t your time yet. We departed at 5:30 AM from South Bus terminal and reached Sumilon Terminal located in Bangcogon, Oslob at 8:30 AM where we waited for the ferry while enjoying free lemon grass tea that was offered by the waiter.

Ferry Trip from Bangcogon to Sumilon Island took about 15 minutes. I read in the blog somewhere that the ferry went around the island first before docking but when I asked the boat people about it, they said that they aren’t doing that anymore. Hmm, must be for VIPs only or those who paid for the extra mileage.

When we finally get to Sumilon Island, all I could say was, “WOW”. It’s a preserved natural beauty alright that the roads were not even paved so it’s a bit bumpy on the way which just adds to the beauty of it. Weekend Day tour cost 2,000 pesos (this may not be accurate rate at present anymore) and that includes ferry from the island to Bangcogon v.v, buffet lunch, afternoon snacks and the free use of all their facilities except perhaps diving gears. We gave our payments at the reception as soon as we arrived in Sumilon Island.

Five girls out of 9 decided to stay overnight and after impressing us with their bargaining skills, they ended up paying a thousand more only than what it costs us. Yes, you read that right. They didn’t pay the day tour fee of 2,000 pesos. The 5 lot of them just booked a room that comes with 3 meals (no drinks but bottomless water though) and the free use of their facilities for only 3,000 pesos/head making it a total of 15,000 pesos or 250 Freaking EURO for a room!!!

There were 15 rooms available and found out that there was no Room 13 due to some superstitious beliefs. I didn’t even know that elevators don’t have 13 floors either until that day. Anyway, the room was huge with 2 double beds and 1 massive bathroom (no bathtub and the bathroom doesn’t seem to have a lock too).

After a few pictorial sessions and settling our stuff in their room, we did what we all do best… E A T ! The food is what actually convinced us that spending 2,000 pesos on Sumilon Island was worth it because they served lots of delicious foods for our eat-all-you-can buffet lunch. So delicious that one came up with an idea of going for a short swim just so we could eat MORE FOODS. We’re a bunch of deprived gluttons unfortunately. Haha.

After the buffet lunch, we were able to do most of the activities available (except fish feeding and attending the anticipated mass) because we arrived early enough to catch the first boat trip to Sumilon at 9 AM. The last ferry departs from Sumilon Island at 5 PM. If you thought of hiding in the bushes somewhere to be able to stay in the island longer, don’t bother. They know how to headcount.

My highlights of the day was hiking up to the lighthouse and then seeing the overlooking view of the beach and the lagoon. It was definitely a sight to behold.

P.S. We were informed that chips and a bottle of water is allowed in the island only but they didn’t really check our backpack.