Marine macros- Sumilon adventure part 3

Cebu is blessed with reefs with renowned coral gardens, like Malapascua and Bantayan in the north, Hilutungan and Maribago in the east. In the west, Badian and Moalboal are popular and in the southend, there is Santander and of course, Sumilon.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/60s, f/10, 50mm, ISO 100, -1/3EV


As a protected no-take fish reserve since 1974, the island boasts of coral gardens that are dense, alive and thriving. In the northwest part of the island, fronting the cabanas, is a sandy beach which upon low tide, shows off a landscape of live corals.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/60s, f/5.0, 100mm, ISO 1600, -1.0EV



Canon EOS 350D, 1/60s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200, -2/3EV


Lucky that low tide occurred early in the morning during our stay at Sumilon early this month, I had a fun time photographing the colorful array of marine life forms using the 100mm f2.8 macro lens.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/60s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 400, -1/3EV



Canon EOS 350D, 1/100s, f/6.3, 100mm, ISO 1600


The forms, colors and movements of the corals were unique and totally fascinating.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/40s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200, -1/3EV






Canon EOS 350D, 1/30s, f/5.6, 100mm, ISO 200, -1.0EV


Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Oslob
Cebu, Philippines 6025
Telefax No. +6332 4810801
sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph
www.bluewater.com.ph

continued from Sumilon, part 1 and part 2

a Sumilon island adventure, part 2

Sumilon is no artificial island. The amenities are cleverly embedded in the recesses of the hill or unobtrusively hewn on the rocky terrain. The clientele mostly are foreigners seeking the experience of a tropical island but the comforts of a hotel.


an infinity pool over a hill looking over mainland Cebu
Canon EOS 350D, 1/1600s, f/7.1, 17mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV


Never mind the cost, there is the chance to enjoy a real thriving marine paradise. It is a world-famous no-take fish reserve after all. From diving for mantas, black-tip sharks and eels, to snorkeling above spectacular coral gardens, or perhaps just idling on the sandy coves and shifting sandbar, the water attractions are difficult to rival.


the saltwater lagoon inlet at the eastern side of the island
Canon EOS 350D, 1/80s, f/6.3, 18mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV


Although it still is forbidden to take anything off the island or from the waters –fishing around the western part island is illegal – there is a large seawater lagoon in the eastern end of the island for catching the fishes bred in captivity, not to mention the obligatory boating, kayaking or just exploring the mangroves.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/40s, f/5.0, 39mm, ISO 400


In the end, privacy is its best asset and although it came with a price, this is what a splurge is all about.


the shifting sandbar serves as a natural dock at the western side
Canon EOS 350D, 1/1600s, f/5.6, 17mm, ISO 100, -1.0EV



sunrise over a vast and tide-exposed coral garden
Canon EOS 5D, 1/6s, f/4.0, 19mm, ISO 100



sunset over the no-take marine sanctuary on the western side of the island
Canon EOS 5D, 3.2s, f/4.0, 17mm, ISO 50, +4/3EV



beachcombers at a secluded cove
Canon EOS 350D, 1/1000s, f/5.6, 300mm, ISO 100, -4/3EV

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Oslob
Cebu 6025
Philippines
Telefax No. +6332 4810801
sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph
www.bluewater.com.ph

continued from Sumilon, part 1

a Sumilon island adventure, part 1

Going to Sumilon is an indulgence. The travel time from Cebu City is 3 hours which tells you a lot too on the toll on gasoline and on the driver (me). The overnight rates for two starts at Php 7,500 which includes breakfast and the boat transfers. (In contrast, day trips are at P1,500 per person but with a lunch buffet).


at low tide, the coral garden rises, exposing a spectacular display of colors
Canon EOS 350D, 1/125s, f/6.3, 100mm, ISO 1600



a coral landscape in lowtide at the northend of the island
Canon EOS 350D, 1/50s, f/8.3, 18mm, ISO 100


In return, the island offers you the exclusivity of a resort tucked way as if it were a secret and a rare opportunity to enjoy a real marine sanctuary that is literally untouched.


the Eastern beach gives a view of the islands of Cebu (above) and Bohol
Canon EOS 350D, 1/640s, f/7.1, 40mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV

Sumilon Island is a 24-hectare coralline atoll, 10 minutes by boat off Bancogon, Oslob, some 125 kilometers away from Cebu. Together with Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Sumilon is the country’s first no-take marine reserve in 1974. How its administration flitted from the municipality to Silliman University back to Oslob and now on lease to the private Sumilon Bluewaters Resort is complicated.



lounge chairs begging for sunbathers
Canon EOS 350D, 1/1400s, f/4.0, 17mm, ISO 100



the lagoon looks green, even mysterious with its thick mangroves
Canon EOS 350D, 1/125s, f/5.6, 50mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV


Inevitably, Sumilon became a blueprint of no-take fish reserves, triggering a blue revolution that today, there are more than 60 marine sanctuaries in Southern Philippines, and more than 600 in the Philippines. The success of the sanctuary model also led to international recognition and emulation in countries from the Pacific Islands to South America.


the island has numerous sandy coves and beaches
Canon EOS 350D, 1/100s, f/6.3, 17mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV




the shifting sandbar in the northwest end of Sumilon serves as the dock for boats servicing the island and the private pier at Bancogon, Oslob
Canon EOS 350D, 1/5000s, f/5.6, 18mm, ISO 100, -3/2EV

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort
Sumilon Island, Oslob
Cebu 6025
Philippines
Telefax No. +6332 4810801
sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph
www.bluewater.com.ph

continued in Sumilon, part 2