Snorkeling and Diving: Protecting Your Skin and the Reef
Sun safety that doesn't poison the water you're floating in.
Key West, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, and Bonaire have enacted similar sunscreen restrictions.
Mineral zinc and titanium are commonly marketed as the reef-friendlier choice.
Questions we get a lot
What sunscreen can I bring to Hawaii?
Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so bring a product without those filters — many visitors choose non-nano mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) formulas. Rash guards and shade further reduce how much sunscreen enters the water.
Is mineral sunscreen better for the ocean?
Mineral filters are often marketed as the reef-friendlier choice, and many travelers prefer non-nano zinc or titanium. But 'reef-safe' isn't regulated and the research is ongoing, so the most reliable step is reducing total sunscreen in the water with UV-protective clothing and shade.
What is the difference between reef-safe and reef-friendly?
There's no meaningful regulated difference — both are unregulated marketing terms with no standard US definition. Rather than trust either label, read the ingredient list (many people avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate) and follow the sunscreen laws at your destination.
r/ScubaDiving: 'What sunscreen should I use over reefs?'