Sumilon Island Travel Guide

Still largely undiscovered by tourists, the small and picturesque Sumilon Island is surrounded by crystal clear, aquamarine tinted water and is one of the Philippines‘ first marine protected areas.

Quickly getting a reputation as one of the country’s most picturesque retreats, the island features several pristine white sand beaches, lined with swaying palm trees, luxurious resorts and the occasional beach bar serving fruity cocktails and barbecued fish. With plenty of room to stretch out on the sand, this is a good place to work on the much-coveted flawless tan.

Most people visit Sumilon Island to dive in the inviting waters and gaze at the colorful coral and the fish, which come in every size, shape and color imaginable. In addition to snorkeling and scuba diving, kayaking is popular here and most resorts rent out kayaks, with some even offering lessons to the inexperienced.

Most of the places to stay on Sumilon Island tend to be top of the range resorts, but there are still a few places left for budget travelers, making this a good place to stay for a couple of days.

Getting There & Away

Access is from Cebu, which has its own international airport. There are connecting flights from Manila (90 minutes) and regular ferry services call at the city from all over the Philippines. From Cebu, Sumilon Island is a 40-minute pumpboat ride away.