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Sumilon Island

The Island of Sumilon is located at the southeastern tip of the Municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu. The island has an area of 24 hectares and has clear waters with varying aquamarine hues and white sand beaches in different areas of the island.

It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines and was created as a marine sanctuary in 1974 under the guidance of the Siliman University Marine Reserve of Dumaguete City in the nearby province of Negros Oriental.

The island is famous throughout the country and internationally for the exceptional beauty of its dive sites. Sumilon has four major dive sites, which are Garden Eel Plaza, Nikki’s Wall, Coral Landscape and Julie’s Rock. The island’s diving sites are famous for their superb visibility, stunning reefs and abundance of varied tropical marine species that provide an ideal and memorable dive. There are occasional sightings of black tip sharks during dives.

A popular attraction in Sumilon Island is its sandbar because of its changing shapes and shifting locations around the island depending on the season. Other places of interest in the island are a natural lagoon teeming with high mangroves and natural caves used by fishermen to seek refuge during storms, and a pristine lake.

On the south portion of the island, a lighthouse rests on a protected tree park and beside it is a “baluarte,” a historical watchtower built as part of a warning system to thwart slavers and marauders in the 19th century.

Besides diving, you can also go bird watching, do beach picnics with the family, fishing, hiking, island tours, paddling and trekking.

Location

The Island of Sumilon is located off the southeast coast of the Municipality of Oslob, Cebu, and is under the administration of Oslob. The island is about 125 kilometers from Cebu City and separated from the mainland by the Cebu Strait. It is also close to Dumaguete City in the nearby island province of Negros Oriental.

To get to Oslob, you can ride a public bus or a V-hire van from the Cebu South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. The estimated travel time from the city to Oslob is about three hours. The three-hour land trip to Oslob from Cebu City is a scenic ride through the southern coastal towns with fantastic views of the ocean.

From the port of Oslob, there are pump boats or small fast constructs that will bring you to the island. Another route to Sumilon Island is via Dumaguete City since it is also close to the island.

CEBU CITY TO SUMILON ISLAND

There are daily flights between Manila and Cebu City. From Cebu City, guests can take a scenic drive through the southern coastal towns of mainland Cebu. Once outside the city limits, a relaxing trip begins through a tree-canopied highway with breathtaking views of the eastern seashores. The following are towns and places of interest along the way:

Carcar
Location : 46.3 km south of Cebu City
Places of Interest:
-Balay’ng Tisa (Don Ramon Sarmiento’s manor, built Feb. 2, 1859)
-Spanish Kiosk
-17th century church
-Villadolid watchtowers
-Monument of Leon Kilat
-Caves in Barangay Mainit

Argao
Location : 66.9 km south of Cebu City
Places of Interest:
-Beaches (Mahayahay, Mahawak, Kawit, Sunshine, Looc)
-Cave Lantoy (with streams, lake and spring inside it)
-Cave Kahilum (bats live inside)
-Balay ug Colon Cave

Dalaguete
Location : 85.1 km S of Cebu City
Places of Interest:
-Centuries-old church
-Mantalongon Market
-Osmeña Peak
-Beach resorts

Boljoon
Location : 103 km south of Cebu City
Places of Interest:
-Centuries-old church with separate belfry
-Eli – natural barrier against Moro raids, watchtowers

Oslob
Location : 117 km south of Cebu
Places of Interest:
-Old Spanish cuartel ruins
-1788 church belfry
-Spanish-era gazebo
-Nigad tree – centuries-old legendary tree
-“Mainit” medicinal hot springs
-Sumilon Island – marine sanctuary, ideal for deep-sea diving
-St. Joseph Church – Nueva Caceres

map of sumilon island

Located on Sumilon Island is the Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, a private beach resort that provides excellent amenities and facilities for tourists and guests.

To book this hotel at a discounted price, visit Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort at hoteltravel.com


View Larger Map

Jul 30, 2009Everything Cebu
Comments: 29
  1. Jo ann
    2 years ago

    Hello princess.. we are planning for our cebu trip this june..
    Is oslob and sumilon resort are neighbors?
    Ive tried doing our DIY? thanks for the help sis

    ReplyCancel
  2. Princess Yang
    2 years ago

    Hi Cristi,
    Normally the boat rental ranges from 1500-2000. You can divide the cost among your members 🙂

    ReplyCancel
  3. Cristi Dolino
    3 years ago

    how much do we pay to rent a boat? can we bring our own tent and stay overnight in the island without checking in to the hotel?

    ReplyCancel
  4. Kamusta Magazine
    6 years ago

    Hi! Glad to read the same positive things about Sumilon. We’ve covered the place in our website, too, and have added new details! Hoping this would be useful for travelers in 2013!

    http://www.kamustamagazine.ph/itinerary-a-private-getaway-in-sumilon-island-cebu/

    Jules
    Kamusta? Magazine

    ReplyCancel
  5. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    Thanks, Phioxee.

    ReplyCancel
  6. Phioxee
    7 years ago

    nice to check out your blog about Sumilon. i will be posting my day tour., hope you can visit my page, too.

    just me,
    phioxee

    ReplyCancel
  7. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    Hi, Jesh.

    We are not privy to such information. Thanks for visiting Everything Cebu!

    ReplyCancel
  8. Jesh
    7 years ago

    is there a ferry from Dumaguete to Oslob? And how much it would be?
    We are coming from Cagayan de Oro, so I think it’s cheaper if we ride the ferry from Cagayan de Oro to Dumaguete then to Oslob.

    ReplyCancel
  9. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    Hi, Jollyjeep! It actually depends on where you’re coming from. Oslob is nearer Dumaguete than Cebu.

    ReplyCancel
  10. jollyjeep
    7 years ago

    which is the easier/shorter route ba? via cebu or dumaguete? thanks in advance.

    ReplyCancel
  11. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    Hi, Mike!

    We are not sure of the exclusivity of Sumilon Island. Please contact Sumilon Blue Waters at (032) 318-3129 or 318 9098. Good luck!

    ReplyCancel
  12. Mike
    7 years ago

    Can we just go camping in sumilon island to save private resort expenses? does anybody know regarding fees in the island..etc please help and email me. Thank you

    ReplyCancel
  13. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    We couldn’t agree more, idontcarequotes.com. Sumilon is one of Cebu’s treasured places.

    ReplyCancel
  14. idontcarequotes.com
    7 years ago

    I’ve been in Sumilon, such a lovely place 🙂

    ReplyCancel
  15. Everything Cebu
    7 years ago

    Joefil,

    The only resort in Sumilon is the Sumilon Blue Water Island Resort. You may call them at (032) 481 0801 / 516 7236. As indicated in the write-up, you may book a room at a discounted price at hoteltravel.com.

    ReplyCancel
  16. Joefil Lucion
    7 years ago

    my batch mate way back in high school days plan to discover what Sumilon this April 2012 but we are clueless about the rates every resort can offer. We are a group of 20 plus persons.

    Any tips or ideas would be of great help.

    ReplyCancel
  17. Everything Cebu
    8 years ago

    Hi Boyax Daila!

    Thanks for the information. Your hometown has indeed created a buzz because of its beauty.

    ReplyCancel
  18. Boyax daila
    8 years ago

    Woah! sikat na kaau akong hometown dah!.. haha.. You can stop at Brgy. Tan.awan, or Brgy. Bancogon . Then ask lang mo sa mga pipz if asa naay pumpboat for rent.. Enjoy the sand bar, and dolphines there!

    ReplyCancel
  19. Tommy
    8 years ago

    Thanks for the info cj. Will try, though it sounds rather complicated…

    ReplyCancel
  20. cj
    8 years ago

    Hi, Tommy. Sources say from Dumaguete, you take a ride to the town of Tampi in Amlan. From Tampi, a ferry shuttles you across the Tañon Strait to the Bato, Oslob coast, where motorized outriggers for rent can take you to Sumilon.

    ReplyCancel
  21. Tommy
    8 years ago

    You mention: “Another route to Sumilon Island is via Dumaguete City since it is also close to the island”.
    How do you get from Dumaguete to Sumilon?
    Thanks,
    Tommy.

    ReplyCancel
  22. tish
    8 years ago

    Hi, Ellyn.

    Sources say that Sumilon Island is located off the coast of Bancogon, in Oslob. If you are commuting on a public transportation, you may ask the driver to drop you off at Sumilon since the place itself is popular among locals. If you will be using a private car, we suggest you get in touch with the resort staff as they will be able to provide you with better details.

    You can contact Sumilon Island through these numbers: +63.2.664-7266 (Manila), +63.32.238-5050 +63.32.253-4966 +63.32.410-7069 (Cebu), +63.922-852-5150 (Sun), or +63.917-626-2242 (Globe).

    ReplyCancel
  23. tish
    8 years ago

    We agree. This is a great choice for your next vacation, Tripper10!

    ReplyCancel
  24. Tripper10 tripsiders.com
    8 years ago

    Hi, This Place in Cebu is really Amazing.
    Hope i can able to go in Sumilon next vacation..:)

    ReplyCancel
  25. Ellyn
    8 years ago

    Hello, I would like to know which particular barangay in Oslob do we have to stop to ride a boat to Sumilon island? and is it visible from the road? what landmark is nearest it? please2x I really need answers. I’m dying to go to Sumilon! 🙂

    ReplyCancel
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