Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort

The staff. They were genuine and cared. That made our holiday.

Tour information could be improved. Did the whale shark tour but weren't advised we needed to bring cash. (No EFT so we were stuck for 2 hours waiting for the ferry back to resort.) Also the advanced trek around the island was great fun but dodgy in places - would have been good to get a head's up what to expect.

The resort felt exclusive because it is an island and you need to ride a ferry c/o the resort to get there. There are a lot of activities to do around the island on it's own, the most I enjoyed is snorkeling and feeding the fishes. They also have baby whale shark feeding but we missed it because we booked a day tour. The day tour packages can be booked through the resort too so you have nothing to worry about where the sites are or how to get there and back to the island. Each meal was also a buffet! It was like paradise. Snorkels are free to use and they offer outdoor towels when you're going around. They also have outdoor shower and changing area for those who've checked out akready but still want to stay until the last ferry trip back to the mainland.

There were lots of flies at the restaurant. They probably can improve on ventilation to prevent them from touching the food.

We had a wonderful stay at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and I appreciated having a mini‑fridge with snacks and drinks ready to go. We spent a lot of time exploring the hiking trails, and while some parts cut through sharp coral, the views around the sanctuary made every step worth it. Definitely bring good shoes and long pants. Snorkeling was a highlight, and the massage services were so good we went back more than once. The infinity pool is deep, but there’s also a shallow pool by the private beach that’s perfect for relaxing. Whale shark watching is extremely popular, and people begin lining up early in the morning. If you book through the resort, transportation is provided both ways, you’re given a towel, and you’re automatically placed in the queue when you arrive. This made the experience smooth and stress‑free, and it was absolutely worth the money. We stayed for three nights, and honestly, it wasn’t enough time to do everything the island offers. I would have liked to try the fishing and the paddle boats — there’s more to do here than you can fit into a short stay. The staff were consistently friendly and really tried to make our stay smooth. Dinner is buffet‑style, and on busy nights it pays to arrive early so you have plenty of choices. Breakfast is simpler and more traditional — I especially enjoyed the French toast. It’s a beautiful resort with great nature experiences and genuinely kind people.

What I didn’t like: The hiking trails are beautiful but some sections are rough because of the sharp coral. Dinner is good, but on weekends you really need to show up early or you’ll miss some of the better dishes. Important to understand: Sumilon is a private island with a fixed ferry schedule, so you need to plan ahead if you need to go to the mainland. We did have to visit a doctor, and while the medical facilities on the mainland were good and we easily found a trike driver to take us there and back, it’s still something to keep in mind. Because access requires a boat transfer, it’s best to avoid medical emergencies while staying on the island.

the marine sanctuary is incredible. The infinity pool and the open spaces are nice.

We had terrible smell in our bedroom coming from the pipes that was so strong that woke us up around 4 am. They obviously have a problem with the Sewer system. Also, the bathrooms need to be renovated.