If you're packing for a Hawaiian vacation, reef safe sunscreen in Hawaiʻi isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the law. Since 2021, Hawaiʻi has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that studies have linked to coral bleaching and reproductive harm in reef organisms. Whether you're headed to Waikīkī, Hanauma Bay, or a quiet cove on Kauaʻi, knowing what to pack — and what to leave at home — protects the reef and keeps your trip hassle-free.
Why Hawaiʻi Banned Certain Sunscreens
Hawaiʻi's coral reefs are more than scenery. They're a living barrier that buffers the coastline from waves, shelters fish and sea turtles, and supports an entire ecosystem found almost nowhere else on Earth. Researchers found that oxybenzone and octinoxate, common ingredients in conventional sunscreens, wash off swimmers' skin and accumulate in nearshore waters, where even trace amounts can damage coral DNA and disrupt young coral growth. State lawmakers passed Act 104 to phase out the sale of sunscreens containing these chemicals, making Hawaiʻi one of the first places in the world to regulate sunscreen for the sake of its reefs.
What "Reef Safe" Actually Means
"Reef safe" isn't an official certification, so it pays to read the label. Look for mineral (physical) sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of chemical UV filters. These sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing into the bloodstream and washing into the water in the same way. Avoid products listing oxybenzone, octinoxate, or avobenzone, and skip spray sunscreens where possible — they're easy to inhale and much of the product ends up on the sand instead of your skin.
How to Choose a Reef-Friendly Sunscreen
- Check the active ingredients for "zinc oxide" or "titanium dioxide" listed first.
- Choose lotion or stick formulas over sprays for better coverage and less runoff.
- Look for broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher.
- Buy before you fly — mineral sunscreens are widely available on the mainland and often cheaper than resort shops in Hawaiʻi.
Many visitors stock up on reef-safe brands locally once they arrive, and most hotels and snorkeling tour operators in places like Hanauma Bay now sell or even require them before you get in the water.
Beyond Sunscreen: Protecting the Reef
Sunscreen is only part of the picture. Rash guards and UPF swimwear cut down on how much lotion you need in the first place, and a wide-brimmed hat and shade breaks during peak midday sun go a long way. If you love what's living beneath the surface — the honu gliding through the shallows, the manta rays feeding at night off the Kona coast — our Ocean & Wildlife collection is full of art and apparel inspired by the very creatures reef-safe habits help protect.
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 Poster — a digital oil painting capturing Kona's famous night manta dive.
Honu Sea Turtle Poster — a vivid print of the beloved green sea turtle gliding through Hawaiian waters.
Hawaii Night Owl Tee — a soft, unisex aloha tee for the ones who come alive after sunset.