How to Visit Sumilon Island in Cebu: Complete Travel Guide

A quick guide to visiting Sumilon Island on Cebu’s pristine coast. Everything you need to know with inspiring photos from my trip.

Sumilon Island is a small sandbar island located just a short boat ride from Oslob on Cebu Island, the Philippines. There’s no doubt that Sumilon Island is an epic spot for spending the day relaxing, exploring, and swimming in some of the clearest water in Cebu.

The island is owned by the Bluewater Resort but it is also possible to visit with a day pass, even if you are not staying there.

In this blog post, I’ll outline everything you need to know about visiting Sumilon Island in Cebu via both options and share some photos that I captured during my visit.

What’s New on Sumilon Island in 2025

I visited this island for the first time in 2018 and fell in love with the little sandbar! It's still a great place to visit and I continue to update this guide to give you the freshest info for your trips. Here's what's new this year.

• Expanded Boat Transfer Schedule - Bluewater Sumilon now offers more frequent boat transfers between Bancogon and the island, with departures every two hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM which makes day trips more flexible.
• Enhanced Marine Sanctuary Access -The Marine Sanctuary has improved facilities, including new snorkeling gear rentals and guided tours, enhancing the underwater experience for visitors.
• Eco-Friendly Initiatives - Sumilon Island has introduced new eco-friendly measures, such as solar-powered accommodations and waste reduction programs, to promote sustainable tourism.
• Updated Day Pass Options - Bluewater Sumilon Resort has revised its day pass packages, now including additional amenities like kayaking and guided nature walks, offering more value for day visitors.
• Improved Connectivity - Enhanced mobile network coverage on the island ensures better connectivity for travelers needing to stay connected during their visit.

Sumilon Island Boat Price

The Sumilon Island boat transfer price is 1,500 pesos per boat. As mentioned, this is per boat, not per person. Some operators might try to tell you that it's 1,500 per person, but don't be fooled.

The boat operators might also try to tell you that others won't want to share a boat, or that you'll be waiting for hours for people to arrive. Don't believe it. In the peak or shoulder seasons, you'll certainly see other travelers wanting to share a boat to Sumilon Island.

There is also a 50 peso environmental fee per person. This goes to the local municipality to maintain the environmental integrity of Sumilon Island.

Best Things to Do On Sumilon Island Cebu

Once you arrive, you'll have the opportunity to walk around and explore the island. If you purchase a day pass, you'll also get access to the amazing pool and resort facilities.

Here are the best things to do on Sumilon Island.

Snorkeling and Diving

Once you arrive, one of the best things to do is to check out the underwater world.

It's possible to snorkel all around the sandbar. There are small patches of reef on the long stretch of white sand, with plenty of fish to see. However, the best place for snorkeling on the island is in the Marine Sanctuary. This is a protected marine area a little out of the way from the main sandbar swimming area.

There are also a few dive sites on Sumilon. If you're interested in scuba diving, it's best to speak to the Bluewater Resort. They organize trips to up to 5 different dive sites including:

• Garden Eel Plaza - Renowned for its sandy bottom dotted with garden eels and occasional sightings of bigger marine life, ideal for both novice and experienced divers.
• Nikki's Wall - Offers a vibrant coral wall teeming with marine biodiversity, perfect for wall diving enthusiasts looking to explore the underwater ecosystem.
• Shark Point - A thrilling dive site for those hoping to encounter blacktip sharks in their natural habitat, along with a variety of other marine species.
• Julie's Rock - Known for its colorful coral gardens and diverse fish population, suitable for divers of all levels seeking a visually stunning underwater experience.
• Coral Landscape - Features an expansive coral field with a rich assortment of coral species and marine life, providing a serene diving experience for those interested in the subtleties of marine biodiversity.

The Shifting Sandbar

An interesting thing about the island sandbar is that it is always shifting direction. You may have seen thinner, stretched sand reaching fat out from the Southern tip. This is due to monsoons bringing tropical rain and tide patterns that shift the sandbar.

The great thing about the island is that it'll always look different, no matter what time of year you choose to check it out!

When is the Best Time To Visit Sumilon Island

The best time to visit Cebu and Sumilon Island will depend on the Typhoon seasons. There are two main seasons in Cebu; Dry and Wet Seasons. Recently the wet season has been hanging around out a bit, but the standards are:

Cebu dry season – December – June
Cebu wet season – June – December

The best time to check out the sandbar island is in the Dry season, or just before, from November to May. It is possible to dive and snorkel all year round, however, these months provide the best visibility and weather conditions on the island.

Sumilon Island Resort & Day Passes

The entire island has only one resort or accommodation option. For those with deeper pockets, you could also enjoy an excellent overnight trip while staying at the Sumilon Island Bluewater Resort.

The resort owns a large portion of the island, including the entire northern side. So, in order to fully experience the rest of this awesome place and to spend a night here, you'll need to book a room.

However, visitors are free to explore the private side of the island by purchasing a day pass online with Klook. This gives you access to all of Bluewater's facilities including the private beach, infinity pool, lagoon, restaurant, and snorkeling trips.

More Photos from Sumilon Island

I hope that you enjoyed this short travel guide to Sumilon Island Cebu. Before you head out, why not check out some Sumilon Island photos captured on my trip below? For more travel and adventure inspiration on Cebu, make sure to also visit some of my other articles found at the bottom of this blog post.

Where to Stay in Cebu

I hope that you've enjoyed this quick and updated guide to visiting Sumilon Island Cebu. For more adventures on the island, as well as others in the Philippines, make sure to check out some of my other guides and tips below!

• How to Visit Kawasan Falls - how to visit the Philippines' most famous waterfall
• 10 Best Islands in the Philippines - a roundup of my 10 favorite islands to travel to in the Philippines