Resort Review: Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort

A day tour at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort.

I first heard of Bluewater Sumilon from a friend who is living in Cebu. Living in Manila, it will be my first time going to Cebu and my bestfriend, Denise, agreed to be my host and accompany me during my 1-week traveling in Cebu.

I initially planned of going to Oslob for whale shark watching but my friend mentioned it is really not advisable due to the harmful effects these kind of activities bring to these animals. Aside from that, it is also quite pricey and you will not have any assurance that you’ll be able to see whale sharks.

Considering those facts, we have made a decision to change our itinerary. We will still go to South Cebu (where Oslob is) but just go to Sumilon Island instead. 

HOW TO BOOK A DAY TOUR:

• Their website doesn’t really allow a direct booking for a day tour. The website’s “Book Now” option only caters for those who want to stay at their resort.
• In order to book, just send them an email through their “Send an email” button on their website or directly email them at sumilon@bluewater.com.ph 
• When sending an email, just advise them of the date you wanted to book your day tour and let them know for how many persons.
• Upon response, they will let you know of the tour inclusions, how to pay and you’ll be required to sign a form showing how much to pay which you’ll have to sign and send back.
• Day Tour is priced @ Php 2,500 net.
• After paying, they will send you a booking confirmation which you’ll have to print out and show once you arrive at Bluewater Sumilon Resort port. It also comes with a roundtrip boat schedule.

DAY TOUR INCLUSIONS:

• Roundtrip boat transfers (Puerto Sumilon - Sumilon Island and vice versa)
• Welcome drinks
• Buffet lunch
• Use of mask and snorkel
• Use of towels 
• Access to lagoon pool, beach and shower room
• Island Adventure activities

For more information, you may check this link.

HOW TO GET THERE:

• By private car: If using Waze, search “Bluewater Sumilon Resort port” or just search for “Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort”.
• By public transportation: If you’re coming from Cebu City, just go to South Bus Terminal and ride a bus going to Oslob. Ask the driver to drop you off @ Bancogon Oslob or tell them the port going to Sumilon Island.

Traveling to Mainland Bancogon takes up to 3-4 hours by bus. We left Cebu City at 4AM and was already in Bluewater Sumilon Resort port before 7:30AM. I would suggest to do the same if you’re coming from Cebu City because the boat schedules are on a first come-first serve basis too. If you come across a lot of day tour guests, you’ll not be able to maximize your day tour if you arrive late.

Upon arriving at Bluewater Sumilon Resort port, I just showed my printed booking confirmation to the receptionist and we were soon given our waterproof wristbands and we were asked to wait in their waiting area.

View from Bluewater Sumilon Resort port

While waiting, they will also ask you to watch a short clip (translated in both English and Chinese) about the resort, and what you can do with your day tour pass. It also mentions which places you’re restricted to go (camping site, infinity pool and villas are restricted areas and is strictly for hotel guests who availed of overnight accommodation only).

They also serve you your welcome drinks while waiting for the boat ride @ 8AM.

Welcome drink

Boat ride going to Sumilon Island only takes 15 minutes.

Boat ride going to Sumilon Island

Upon arrival to the island, you will be asked to go directly near the Pulo Restaurant where lunch buffet will be served and where the lagoon and swimming pool are located and are all accessible by day tour guests. The hotel staff will then give instructions as to where you can get your towels, and remind you of what you can do and access in the island. They will even offer to avail of their locker (for Php 100) which you may opt not to since you can just bring your bags with you.

View from the resort (Lagoon/Pool/Restaurant area)

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort map

My friend and I decided to have our morning drinks before touring the resort and swimming. I got myself my favorite morning drink (iced coffee) while she got her morning tea. We were also offered complimentary cookies by a hotel staff (sorry, I forgot his name!) which we also enjoyed. 
P.S. Their iced coffee is good! You may opt to add cream and sugar as you please so just ask a staff if you need one. 

Iced Café Mocha

Tea and complimentary cookies

After our morning drinks, we decided to take a walk going to Sumilon sandbar. You may ride a shuttle going there (and vice versa) but since there are a lot of trees, it wasn’t very sunny in the trail and it was okay to do some sight seeing.

Along the way, we passed by the trekking trail, their small grotto that’s in the woods and Yamashita cave (which we didn’t check). The walk is around 500-700 meters walk so it wasn’t that far.

Grotto

Yamashita Cave

Upon arriving at the sandbar, you’ll notice a lot of people (compared to the resort) since there are small boats for island hopping who takes some tourists in the area.

View in the Sumilon sandbar

The water near the sandbar isn’t deep but we were still asked by a staff to wear our lifejackets (for safety). The sand is of a golden white color and is not as fine as what you get to see in Boracay. There are also a lot of white rocks in the sand so best to walk in slippers. The water is so clear and clean as well.

Sharing an unedited picture of mine so you can

see how the beach actually looks like.

Lunch buffet @ Pulo Restaurant

We arrived at the restaurant a bit late so it is already full. We were given an option to have our lunch at their mini bar or wait until there’s a vacant table. We chose the latter so we waited at the mini bar having some round of drinks until we’re seated.

We were seated near the pool so we really got a good view while enjoying our lunch.

View from our table

There hasn’t been too many options for the food and I recommend you go to lunch on time so you will not have to wait on refills for the food options. However, I really enjoyed their lunch buffet due to unlimited crabs, shrimp and mussels. Their fish fingers are really good too! I cannot say anything bad about the food, it was delicious.

Unlimited cold seafood

While having our lunch, the same hotel staff who gave us complimentary cookies also offered us to try their newest cocktail (for free!). It was mango rum cocktail which we both enjoyed. 

Cheers!

Trying out our complimentary rum cocktail

Other activities to do:

• Lagoon (fishing, fish feeding, kayaking & pedal boarding)
• Snorkeling
• Trekking in begginner, moderate and advanced trails. (Didn’t try)

Lagoon

We tried pedal boarding in the green lagoon in the afternoon where you’ll be able to see mangroves surrounding the lagoon.

Pedal boarding

Lagoon

Snorkeling

We also borrowed snorkeling gear from the dive shop. Infairness, the snorkeling gear seems to have been cleaned well.

We did some snorkeling (near the pool and lagoon) to get a good view of the corals and fishes. It was a good experience seeing the beautiful corals but my friend and I did not last long due to the small creatures that bites you and it stings a bit (unsure what they’re called though).

Post-snorkeling selfie

Overall, we had a great stay at the resort (even for a day tour) and best if we can stay longer to try all of the activities but due to time constraints (with the last boat from Sumilon Island leaving @ 5PM), we were not able to try everything but we maximed all that that we can do to fully experience the island. 

What I loved about the resort is the 5-star service they provide. Hotel staff greets you with a smile wherever you go and everything about the resort is great! Your Php 2,500 is worth it considering the experience, activities and the view. I have already made up my mind to come back here once given a chance to go back to Cebu and stay at their villas. I’ll give this resort a 9.8/10!

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort

📍 Sumilon Island, Cebu 

Instagram: @bluewater.sumilon

Website: https://www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph 

Note: This is not a paid post.