⌛ Sumilon Island

When in Negros Oriental, don't miss taking a side trip to the nearby island of Sumilon. Brace yourself for an awesome diving adventure and a charming hotel that you will never forget.

Sumilon, here I come! I boarded the little boat that would take us to the beautiful island of Sumilon and I was so breathlessly excited, I couldn’t wait to get there. Even though it wasn’t my first time, visiting the island is always something I look forward to.

The boat ride was generally smooth contrary to the notion that the month of December always bring in the waves. Wind is naturally expected especially because of the recent typhoon that hit the country, but this time the gods must have been in our favor as the trip was not the least tricky. Why, we were even tempted to jump into the water before we even reached the port!

The water was so invitingly blue, and shimmering against the glare of the high morning sun. From the boat, the view was utterly stunning because the white sand beaches and the tropical greens provided a contrasting backdrop to the azure sea and sky. This tiny paradise is simply a nature lover’s dream.

I checked in at the Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, a resort with spacious and tasteful Balinese inspired rooms that allows for three guests per room. It had a ceiling fan, an air condition, room to room telephone, a mini bar, a writing desk, and of course a private bath with hot water. Two huge sliding panels open out to my very own private veranda that is under a bamboo trellis, complete with a coffee table and lounge chairs. I looked out onto the sea, sand and sun and wished I would never have to leave.

One of the island’s special treat is the lovely evening meal at the shore under the stars and on the sand. Though I didn’t know how I would get through my lobster fare with only the light of bamboo torches. But I did get through it indeed! Somehow the calmness of the day brings on a lethargic pace.

 

Their website doesn't show any prices. If there are no prices, then it must be for free

http://www.bluewater.com.ph/home.htm

 

Rooms look nice. I did a google search, travel sites list it as over $100/night.

 

Looks like a great place to relax. I'm sorely tempted next trip. How was the diving?

 

Diving at Sumilon

Diving is always a personal opinion... As i have some hundred dives at Apo, i prefer Sumilon for some reasons. I like the small overhangs and walls and black corals (which are actually greenish white). All our divers really liked a daytrip (with 3 dives) to Sumilon. most of them prefer it compared to Siquijor.
But Apo and Siquijor are in more "Diving in the philippines"-books. though, its always some work on our guests to bring them to Sumilon, but they come back with a bright smile... :D

 

Day trip to Sumilon

You do not have to stay overnight on Sumilon, I think it is possible just to go over to the island on a daytrip and spend some time on the beach / snorkeling etc.

And with a super-reort there you know you have great food available when hunger strikes for lunch, so no need to pack the good ol' lunchbox

Anybody has any more accurate information on how to get there especially from an independant day trip standpoint would be much appreciated, once I gather all the information, I will do the trip and write the fulll report for the site.

Ialso added Sumilon to our main page top menu as I think this might be a "must see" island in the area.

 

I bought a Lonely Planet book about diving and snorkeling in PI. Sumilon was one of the 5 locations listed in Dumaguete. Siquijor didn't make the list.

55 - Sumilon Island
56 - Liloan
57 - Tacot
58 - Calong Calong
59 - Apo Island

It says 55, 58 and 59 are good for snorkeling. That makes me very curious to try Sumilon even if just for a day trip.

 

That's why i said Diving is always a personal thing. even you write for a magazine... by th may in the last "Marco Polo" travel-guide (very famous in germany) Mindoro belongs to the Visayas... hehe
Anyway Sumilon, Siquijor and Apo are great diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Hey Dane, if you wanna go there, drop a line, i can organise that, with a great boat, fantastic buffet and world class chocolate-chip-cookies... hehe. for more information we can meet at the fat Austrian (Guenther) at half moon one of the next days, when he's having a Band again..
cheers for now... on da way to APO... ba back mamaja

 

I showed my wife that Sumilon resort website and she was also really impressed. Room rates are very reasonable compared to up-market resorts on Panglao...and particularly comparing what they offer...we definitely will spend a couple days there as soon as we get the chance...thanks for the info..

 

siquijor is actually part of mindinao..i think thats why..most people don't have it on their list of dive spots because of the terrorist trouble in mindinao, but its quit nice and not discovered by d*mn tourists yet...you can get there from cagayan de oro or cebu by boat...no airport there