For centuries, people have looked to the ocean as a source of wellbeing. In fact, no less than the great 5th Century Greek philosopher Plato said that “the sea cures all ailments of man.” Since the time of the ancients, humanity has regarded water almost reverentially for its ability to induce a state of serenity, and for its balancing, healing properties.

This time-honored wisdom is something that the Bluewater Resorts group has long believed—and the proof of this belief system abounds in the group’s island property in Sumilon, Cebu. 

Your luxurious home by the sea

Imagine the scene: you escape to your oceanfront hideaway—a thatched-roof villa, decidedly rustic on the outside, but elegantly appointed and luxurious in the inside. Crystalline waters, bordered by an unsullied shoreline, cradle your home by the sea, to the front, while lush forests embrace it, to the back.

This is your slice of paradise on the island of Sumilon, located on the southeastern tip of Cebu’s mainland. Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is neither just a topnotch luxury beach resort in the south of the Philippines, nor is it just the only resort on the 24-hectare coral island—it is your luxury beach home away from home, where you are in for a whole lot of “Amuma” pampering. As part of the Bluewater group, the island resort team lavishes guests with the brand’s trademark hospitality, in a stunning seaside setting.

“When travelers do go out, they always want that sense of family. Our brand is always about that; it’s a home away from home; Bluewater is home. When you go to any Bluewater property, you will feel at home because you are pampered like any visitor to a Filipino home, where you are given the best welcome, the best food,” says Margie Munsayac, Bluewater Group’s VP for Sales and Marketing.

“Sumilon is an entirely different experience because it’s an island. Sumilon has many private spaces…it has such a calming effect,” Munsayac adds.

Nature’s bountiful, blissful beach Retreat

Perhaps the most iconic feature of Bluewater Sumilon is the Sumilon Island Sandbar, an immaculate sandbank which changes size and shape with the shifting tides. As the resort’s most popular attraction, it is an idyllic place for lounging about, swimming off into the aquamarine waters, and taking postcard-perfect pictures. At present, the sandbar is closed to the public every third Wednesday of the month, by order of the local government of Oslob, to give way to a regular cleanup and preventive rehabilitation, but visitors may enjoy it on any other day of the week.

Aside from the stunning offshore stretch of sand, another favorite spot on the island is the natural lagoon, picturesque and mysterious in beauty with its forest of high mangroves. Resort guests can while away a few hours kayaking around the lagoon, relishing nature’s wonders, while learning, firsthand, about one of its most intricate ecosystems.

With multiple trails of varying difficulty levels, trekking and biking are also well-loved pastimes at Bluewater Sumilon. So, make sure to bring the right gear if you’re up for either activity. There are a number of natural caves to check out, including one thought to have been a hideout during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. A trek to the south side of the island takes you to a yet another much-visited site, the 19th century historical baluarte or watchtower, built as a lookout against pirates and invaders. The structure is within a protected tree park, and provides the ideal venue for a leisurely stroll amidst an array of flora. 

Into the blue waters

Of course, we cannot speak of Sumilon’s natural assets without speaking of its blue waters, and the treasure trove just ‘neath the sea’s shimmering surface. White shorelines ring the island, affording many areas for basking in the sun, sand, and sea. “Basically, the objective of most travelers now, especially the local market, is just to get that ‘Vitamin Sea’ break. To breathe in fresh air, without the pollution,” Munsayac points out. Indeed, fresh air, radiant sands, and crisp sea waters are in abundant supply at Sumilon, able to clear even the most clouded of minds and troubled of spirits. “Our guests say that all the cobwebs are really removed from their minds while they’re here,” Munsayac muses.

Aside from simply savoring the seaside sereneness, there is a roster of underwater activities—like snorkeling and diving—while at the resort. Marine life in Sumilon’s waters is quite diverse; if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot some black tip sharks! The island is, after all, the first marine-protected area in the Philippines, having been declared a fish sanctuary in 1974.

Farther out in neighboring environs is the five-tiered waterfall, Aguinid Falls in Samboan, as well as the horseshoe waterfall of Tumalog. The resort can easily arrange for you to visit these nearby wonders of Cebu.

Island living, leveled up

While nature’s resplendence takes center stage at Bluewater Sumilon, the resort most certainly shines in all things Amuma—Filipino home-style pampering is still the order of the day. Whether you choose to pull out all the stops and stay in one of the villas or deluxe rooms or go glamping in a comfortable pre-pitched tent, your island home is sure to deliver the brand’s Amuma experience. “From our original 14 rooms, we now have 31. And we have two swimming pools. We also have our private villas, with their own swimming pools, which are now very much in demand with families. Because they have that private space and they don’t really have to mingle,” Munsayac notes.

Speaking of Amuma, Bluewater’s spa carries the same name, and its selection of signature treatments is available at Sumilon. Guests may book their treatment of choice at any of the resort’s outdoor spa pavilions, in observance of safety protocols.

As for its culinary offerings, Bluewater Sumilon serves fine Filipino cuisine and a range of international selections. And, as one might expect from an island abode, the bounty of the sea is top of the menu. “Food is always a big part of any traveler’s journey. The Bluewater resorts have really made the decision to provide the best Filipino food in our community and at the same time, have Intercontinental food offerings. In Sumilon, it’s really more about fresh seafood, because it’s an island, so there’s a lot of that,” shares Munsayac.

Because Bluewater CARES

Aside from leisure and luxury, nowadays, safety is a top consideration of any traveler—but not to worry because the Bluewater group has diligently responded to the challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic. With its BlueCARES (Collaborate with community, Always Amuma, Raise awareness, Enhanced safety measures, Safeguards) program stringently in place, guests are assured of safety protocols that comply with hospital-grade standards, community requirements, and government mandates. “We really delved into BlueCARES because we want to ensure that…all our employees really know how to implement the program. It’s not just about the hardware of providing alcohol, sanitation kits, etc. When guests see our employees, they feel confident because we walk the talk,” Munsayac stresses.

A sanctum by the sea

Yes, the healing powers of the sea have long been lauded by ancients before us. Perhaps it would be wise for us to heed their sagely advice, now more than ever, and tap into all the deep blue has to offer. When you decide to head out (in a phenomenon that many, including Munsayac, are predicting as “revenge travel”), set your sights on Bluewater Sumilon, your sanctum by the sea.