If you're packing for a trip to the islands, add this to your list: check the label before you toss that sunscreen in your bag. Reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaiʻi isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the law in most parts of the state, and it's one of the simplest ways to protect the coral reefs that make Hawaiʻi's waters so spectacular in the first place.
Why Reef-Safe Sunscreen Matters
Coral reefs are living animals, not rocks, and they're remarkably sensitive to what washes off swimmers' skin. Certain chemical sunscreen ingredients have been shown to contribute to coral bleaching, damage coral DNA, and disrupt the growth of baby coral even in tiny concentrations. With millions of visitors snorkeling, swimming, and surfing in Hawaiian waters every year, the sunscreen choices travelers make add up fast for reefs already under pressure from warming ocean temperatures.
What Hawaiʻi's Sunscreen Law Actually Bans
In 2018, Hawaiʻi became the first state to pass a law restricting the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemical UV filters linked to reef damage. The law took effect in 2021, and several counties — including Maui and Hawaiʻi Island — have gone further, also restricting octocrylene and avobenzone. In practice, this means many sunscreens sold on the mainland simply aren't available (or shouldn't be used) once you land in the islands.
How to Choose a Reef-Safe Sunscreen
The easiest rule of thumb: look for "mineral" or "physical" sunscreens made with non-nanotized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, rather than chemical UV filters. These sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays instead of absorbing them. A few tips for choosing well:
- Check the active ingredients list, not just a "reef safe" label on the front — that phrase isn't regulated, so read the fine print.
- Choose lotion over spray. Sprays are easy to inhale and harder to apply evenly, and a lot of it ends up in the sand and water instead of on your skin.
- Look for "non-nano" zinc oxide, since nanoparticle-sized minerals may still pose a risk to marine life.
Most ABC Stores, Longs Drugs, and grocery stores across the islands now stock reef-safe options, so you can also just grab one once you arrive if you forget to pack it.
Other Ways to Protect Your Skin (and the Reef)
Sunscreen is only part of the equation. A UPF rash guard and a wide-brimmed hat cut down on how much sunscreen you need in the first place, and seeking shade during the strongest midday sun (roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) protects both your skin and the water you're swimming in. If you're planning a day of snorkeling among honu (green sea turtles) or hoping to spot a manta ray gliding through the Kona coast at night, these small habits help make sure the reef stays healthy for the next visitor too.
Want a piece of that underwater world to bring home even after the sunscreen washes off? Our Ocean & Wildlife collection is full of original art and apparel inspired by Hawaiʻi's honu, manta rays, and reef life.
Bring the islands home: Explore our Ocean & Wildlife collection — original designs from our Native Hawaiian–owned studio in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. Here are a few of the newest additions:
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Kona Poster — a Hawaiian oil painting print capturing the magic of a Kona night manta dive.
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles Honu Poster — a wildlife art print of the beloved honu gliding through Hawaiian waters.
Hawaii Night Owl Aloha Tee — a soft, everyday tee for island nights and pueo lovers.