A Dose of Luxury and Tranquility at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, Cebu

With the plethora of activities and destinations seducing travelers to Cebu, it can be quite difficult deciding which ones to pick when visiting this beautiful province for the first time. Pristine beaches, spectacular marine life, breathtaking highlands, mesmerizing waterfalls, and amazing food await anyone eager to explore Cebu—and if you’re a traveler with only a few days to spend, an all-encompassing itinerary is impossible. However, if you seek a relaxing time amidst nature and away from the crowds, make your way down south where the magic is and spend a night or two in Sumilon Island in Oslob—specifically, at the luxurious Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort.


Nestled on the 24-hectare Sumilon Island at the southeast tip of Cebu, Bluewater Resort promises a quiet, secluded, and calming getaway to travelers looking for the ultimate comfort while still being close to nature. Surrounded by stunning waters and filled with a lot of surprises within its premises, Bluewater is the only resort in this island—and checked-in guests have complete freedom to enjoy not only the resort amenities but also the lush tropical attractions that this island offers.

With its gorgeous beach views, relaxing villas, and picture-perfect spots (the famous Sumilon sandbar among them), Bluewater Resort is definitely a must-see when in Cebu. Read on to find out more about this amazing hideaway.


Arrival in Sumilon Island

If you are coming from Cebu City, you can enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive or take a Ceres bus from the South Bus Terminal headed to Oslob. Ask the driver to drop you off at Bancogon port, where you can catch a boat to Sumilon Island. From there, you need to register and choose the boat schedule you prefer (see schedules at the end of this post). We arrived at Oslob a little past 10:00AM, so we took the 11:00AM boat. While waiting, you can buy some snacks from the mini-shop at the waiting area.

The boat ride takes only 15 minutes, and this is free of charge for checked-in guests. Daytrip tourists board the same boat—the transfer fees are already included in the Day Tour Package (see end of article for details). Upon arrival in the island, we were taken via a coaster to the Pavilion, where overnight guests can check in.



The Rooms

Bluewater Sumilon has 29 rooms built around the expansive island. To be honest, it’s an understatement to call them “rooms”—they are more like private retreat huts, all with sea vistas and verandas.

Premier Deluxe Room

We stayed in a Premier Deluxe Room (check rates here), a split-level, 77 sqm. space fitted with two Queen sized beds, a writing desk, a mini-bar, and an enormous en suite bathroom. From its private deck, double doors lead to the beautiful, relaxing room. A sofa faces the doorway and offers a view of the sea outside. Flanking this seatee are two small stairways leading to the beds area.

The interiors boast of a calming beach and upscale Filipino aesthetic—wood furnishings, cream walls, and coral and deep blue accents mingle together to create a homey atmosphere. The bed was so comfy that I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking it was already noontime and then realizing that it was barely daybreak.

At first, I thought that the bathroom is the small nook behind the beds, until I walked into it and saw that it was only the entryway to the spacious bathroom. It features his-and-hers vanities with a tiny sunroof above it; Bluewater branded toiletries; a toilet with bidet; and a shower area. There’s a rack for wet clothes and towels, as well as closets equipped with a safe box and bedroom slippers. The floor area is so big I could literally Samba. 

Other features of the room include a writing desk, a 32-inch cable TV, and a mini-bar with local snacks and coffee-making facilities. The Wi-Fi is—for a secluded island—surprisingly stable in the room and all around the resort.


The calming vibe of our room continues outside: the veranda has a basket swing perfect for lazy mornings or afternoons, as well as a hammock just a few steps away with a view of the sea.

Other Rooms

The Deluxe Room is the smallest room category at 58 sqm., equipped with the same amenities as the Premier Deluxe but smaller and designed differently. Unlike the latter, the beds do not face the sea. Both Deluxe and Premier Deluxe Rooms are lined up on the side of the island nearer the Sumilon sandbar.

Three villas are available for those who wish complete seclusion and luxury. There are 2 One-Bedroom/Honeymoon Villas and 1 Two-Bedroom/Family Villas—built on an elevated part of the island, offering panoramic views of the lagoon and the beach beyond. All of them have private dipping pools and lounging areas overlooking the sea.

To check room rates, see below.


Dining

Bluewater Sumilon’s in-house restaurant, the Pavilion, serves an all-day a la carte menu composed of Filipino and international fare, as well as buffet breakfast and dinner. It has an open-air setup, offering diners relaxing views under its octagonal thatched roof.

photo credit: Bluewater Resorts

The food at the Pavilion is, in one word, exquisite. We ordered from their a la carte menu for lunch and enjoyed local dishes: the Sinigang na Sugpo is really good with the sourness I always crave for in this dish; the Free Range Chicken Inasal with pickled watermelon is delightfully smoky and tasty; and the Grilled Seafood Platter is superb, filled with the freshest prawns, mussels, fish, and squid. Don’t forget desserts—the Moist Chocolate Cake is extremely rich and decadent with its dulce de leche filling while the Clafouti is a light cake with a medley of fruits.

If you crave for a light and refreshing snack, order the Shrimp Papaya Salad drizzled with delicious mango sauce. Thirsty? Enjoy the Bluewater Mojito and pair it with some chicken fingers.

Dinner buffet was such an enjoyable treat—the theme changes regularly and when we visited, it was Tex-Mex Nights! The little garden a few steps from the Pavilion was transformed into a vibrant dining venue. Everything from the spread sent me straight back to San Antonio. There were quesadillas, nachos, creamy bacon taquitos, chorizo-stuffed peppers, and Mexican salads, along with a mouthwatering mains selection with dishes like Cajun shrimp pasta, roast chicken enchilada, pork ribs, and pork belly with mango salsa. For dessert, we couldn’t stop indulging in the avocado panna cotta. My favorite from the buffet though has got to be the make-your-own burrito and taco station—the chef makes mean burritos!


In the morning, guests can take their breakfast at the Pavilion and enjoy Filipino and American selections like sausages, hotdogs, bacon, longganisa, and of course, danggit, the local specialty. I don’t know why, but the danggit here was the best I’ve tried ever. There’s a bread station, a salad station, and an omelet station, as well as a selection of desserts.



Other Amenities

One of the crowd favorites at Bluewater Sumilon is the infinity pool situated beside the Pavilion. Offering breathtakingly beautiful views, this area is where guests—checked-in and daytrip alike—get some relaxing time under the sun while admiring the varying shades of blue of the sea. Around the main pool, there are small Jacuzzis where you can retreat for a little quiet time and privacy.

The resort also boasts of an outdoor spa—the Amuma Spa, which provides guests incredible views while getting pampered with traditional hilot, shiatsu, hot stone massage, or the spa’s signature Amuma Hilot, which makes use of medicinal herbs coupled with rituals like prayers and orations.



Activities

Whether you’re a mountain or a beach lover, the island has something for your adventure-seeking blood. Sumilon Island is known for its rich marine wildlife, so guests who love water activities must try snorkeling or scuba diving and discover an abundance of sea species.

photo credit: Bluewater Resorts

The island also has a natural lagoon lined up with mangroves, where guests can go kayaking or fishing. A few steps away is the beach—a little too rocky for swimming but a nice venue for just lounging around lazily on one of the sea-facing recliners.

On the other side is the Sumilon sandbar, a slice of white shoal that changes size and shape, depending on the tides. This is perhaps the most famous attraction of Sumilon. It can get pretty crowded, but if you’re a checked-in guest, I recommend visiting around 4:30PM, when most daytrip guests have left to catch the last boat (or before 8:00AM, before everyone arrives).

Looking for astounding overlooking views? Go on a trek around the island to see the lagoon, the beach, and the sea from the top—I promise you, the view is worth it! The trek is pretty easy and safe, plus there are colored markers (different colors for different difficulty levels) tied on tree branches so you wouldn’t get lost. Watch out for those wobbly corals though. (Apparently, those rocks were corals, we were told. The island was probably formed from uplifted reefs many years ago.)




Day Tour Package

For travelers who don’t want to spend the night in Sumilon, a Day Tour Package (PhP1,500 weekdays/PhP2,000 weekends or holidays) is available—inclusive of a special lunch at the Pavilion, roundtrip boat transfers, use of resort facilities such as the pool and beach, and activities like the trekking, snorkeling, kayaking, and fish feeding. The first boat leaves Bancogon at 8:00AM and the last boat departs from Sumilon at 5:00PM.


Bluewater Sumilon: An Island Paradise

Modern comforts and closeness to nature are rarely found in resorts around the country, and at Bluewater Sumilon, these two are married perfectly. If you’re the traveler who loves to get immersed in nature by day and then retreat to your own piece of haven at night, the resort is perfect for you. Just the thought of sweating while I trek and finally coming back to our luxurious room and then relaxing on a hammock after a fresh shower makes me want to jump into a boat back to Sumilon right now. Add that to impressive food and warm, friendly staff, and there’s no doubt that my stay at Bluewater Sumilon was one of the best I’ve ever had.


~*~
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu
+6332.318.3129/318.9098
+63917.631.7512/+63998.964.1879
sumilon@bluewater.com.ph

Manila Office
Rm. 704 Cityland Herrera Tower Rufino cor. Valero Sts. Salcedo Village, Makati City
+632.817.5751/887.1348
+63943.700.3378/+63917.790.6260

Cebu Office
CRM Bldg.,  Escario cor. Molave Sts., Lahug, Cebu City
+6332.412.2436

Criteria
Facilities
Service
Dining
Ambience
Location
TOTAL
Rating
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4/5
5/5
5/5
4/5
4.6
Comments
Relaxing and spacious rooms with superb amenities; pools have awesome views.
Front desk staff, chefs in dinner buffet are especially remarkable.
Impressive food.
The resort exudes pure peace and tranquility.
Its seclusion offers guests complete quiet and privacy.
A dose of luxury and tranquility in Oslob, Cebu.
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Have you been to Sumilon Island in Cebu? What did you think about it? Have you stayed at Bluewater Resort?

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