High Tide in Sumilon Island
After our whale shark adventure, we were still ready for more exploring. But first, we had to grab some lunch. We ordered some delicious Filipino cuisine and a fruit smoothie to cool down. I’m pretty sure we ordered sisig, and maybe tinola or sinigang? I can’t remember exactly—it’s been a while. Keep reading to find out more about our Sumilon Island trip.
Boat ride to Sumilon Island
Once we were fueled up, we hopped on a boat and headed to Sumilon Island. You can actually see the island from Oslob! It has an interesting history behind it too. The name “Sumilon” comes from “Sumilog,” which means “take shelter,” Back in the day, fishermen used it as a safe haven during those intense typhoons that love to hit the Philippines.
It took us about 20 minutes to get to the island. I was seriously impressed with how the boatman handled everything—it felt like we were on a mini adventure.
Exploring the island
Sumilon Island is a tropical dream—white sand, clear blue water, and lush green vibes. Besides the sandbar, you can also hike up to this old Historic Watch Tower that’s over 200 years old! It used to be a lookout point for pirates and slavers during the Spanish era. And here’s a little secret: there’s also a lagoon with mangroves and a natural fish pond hidden away on the island—how cool is that?
Our time on the island was short and sweet. We snapped a bunch of photos of the beach and just soaked in the views. Sadly, the sandbar was nowhere to be seen because it was high tide.
And the waves? Let’s just say they were not messing around. I felt like I was about to get knocked over every time one hit me. We didn’t have enough time to hike up to the watch tower either, which I’m still bummed about—definitely a reason to go back!
Making the most of your Sumilon trip
We went in early June, but from what I’ve heard, the best time to hit up Sumilon Island is between November and May. If you ask me, try to go when it’s not high tide, and definitely check the weather beforehand to make sure your trip’s a good one.
So, that was our adventure on Sumilon Island! Even though we didn’t get to see the sandbar or hike up to the watch tower, the island still made quite an impression.
With the beautiful views, interesting history, and that exciting boat ride, it’s definitely a place I’ll remember.
In any case, I’m already dreaming about my next visit. Maybe I’ll finally make it up to that watch tower! Until then, I’m just happy to have these memories (and the photos). See you, Sumilon—until next time!