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
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
