It took about four years to develop Sumilon island into a beautiful resort where it remains as one of the Cebu’s best kept secrets. Sumilon means to take refuge.

The island was leased by the government to Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, a member of the Almont Holdings, Inc. owned by Julie Alegrado-Vergara.

Located on the sourtheastern tip of Cebu, the 24-hectare island is a marine santuarty with pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear water.

Local and foreign tourists frequent the island resort and enjoy the amenities and facilities it offers.

White sand beaches are found in different areas of the island. A beautiful white sandbar is well known for its changing shapes and around the island, depending on the season and tide.

Before it was developed by Almont Holdings, Inc., the island had no source of water. A roll-on roll-off vessel has to supply the resort with water and other provisions daily.

The main office of the resort is located at the Bato, Oslob town where you take a 15-minute trip on a ferry to the island.

Another interesting spot of the island is a natural lagoon surrounded by mangroves where you enjoy a paddle boat ride and a kawak.

The resort has 12 cottages and each with two adjoining rooms with private verandas that offer panoramic views of the sea, cove and mainland Cebu. Each airconditioned room can accommodate three guests and has a private toilet and shower, a mini bar, a writing desk and dresser and a ceiling fan.

From the cottages, you could go up to the pavilion which houses the resort restaurant that serves local and international cuisine.

Also located in the pavilion are the reception desk, library, giftshop and bar. The infinity freshwater pool is located near the pavilion.

For those who love water sports, the resort’s dive shop is fully equipped with snorkeling and diving gears, paddle boats, windsurfing boards, and kayaks. Guests could also go on a simple line and hook fishing near the island.

Sumilon island is designated as an official marine sanctuary with its superb visibility, stunning reefs and abundance of varied tropical marine species that provide an ideal and memorable dive.

There are four major dive sites around the island. These are the Garden Eel Plaza, Nikki’s Wall, Coral Landscape and Julie’s Rock. During dives, one could find varied marine species.

You can enjoy swimming in the warm and shallow waters or take a boat ride around the island.

For those interested in trekking, there are trails that offer hikers plenty of opportunities to wander on the island.

One can walk along the tree park, see the historical watchtower and the lighthouse, peek into mysterious caves and observe the local flora and fauna.

How to get there. To reach the island, one must either travel via Dumaguete City or Cebu city by an hour flight from Manila.

The shortest route is via Dumaguete City because it is closest to the island. 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 Oslob, the resort can arrange pumpboats or small fastcrafts to bring guests to Sumilon island. If the waters are very rough and the weather condition does not allow travel via pumpboat, the resort can arrange ferry rides from the port of Bato, Oslob to the island.—Edu Lopez