Yes! The State of Hawaii passed a law to support the ban of Oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals found in sunscreens from further damaging the coral reefs of Hawaii, and Maui County passed supporting ordinance, effective October 2022. Of course, we at Auntie Snorkel fully support this ban, for the sake of our community’s beautiful reefs and ecosystem. Therefore, we carry a wide selection of mineral-based sunblocks to protect both your skin and the coral reef’s ability to reproduce, helping to keep our shoreline ecosystem healthy for generations.
To verify whether your sunscreen is truly reef-safe, check the active ingredient list. It should list only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are considered to be less harmful to coral reefs than the chemical UV filters found in many conventional sunscreens. For sunscreens using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it’s also important to choose those that use non-nano particles. Non-nano particles are larger and less likely to be absorbed into the skin or cause harm when washed off into the ocean.
Our mineral-based sunblock selection varies from 3oz – 6.50z tubes, 6oz sprays, and lip balms.
We also sell a variety of UPF 50+ sun shirts and wide-brim hats.
Finally, renting a wetsuit is a great way to prevent sun exposure while snorkeling!
