Sunscreen

Buy reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling and scuba diving in Canada — mineral-based formulas using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that protect your skin without harming coral reefs or marine life. All sunscreen products we carry are free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other chemical UV filters that have been shown to damage reef ecosystems. For maximum protection, pair with a UPF 50+ UV shirt for covered areas and use sunscreen on exposed skin only. Need help choosing? See our Reef Tips Gear Guide — sun protection for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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What to know about reef-safe sunscreen

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Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen — the key difference Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. These sit on top of the skin and physically reflect UV radiation rather than absorbing it chemically. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone, which are absorbed into the skin and convert UV radiation to heat. The problem for marine environments is that chemical filters wash off in the water and have been shown at very low concentrations to bleach coral, disrupt the reproduction of fish, and harm marine invertebrates. Mineral sunscreens do not carry these risks. How to read a sunscreen label Check the "Active Ingredients" section on the label — not the front of the packaging, which may say "reef-safe" without being independently verified. If you see oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene, or benzophenone on the active ingredients list, it is a chemical sunscreen. If you see only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, it is a mineral sunscreen. Some products blend both — these are not fully reef-safe. For diving and snorkeling, mineral-only is the standard we apply to all products we carry.

Application — timing and reapplication Apply mineral sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to set on the skin. Apply generously — most people apply far less than the amount needed for the rated SPF to be effective. In the water, mineral sunscreen is more resistant to washing off than chemical sunscreen, but reapplication is still recommended after extended swimming. For snorkeling sessions of two hours or more, reapply at the surface interval. Focus on the areas most exposed while face-down: back of the neck, tops of the feet, backs of the hands, and the lower back. Banned destinations — know before you go Several popular diving and snorkeling destinations have banned the sale and use of chemical sunscreens, with fines for violations. Hawaii banned oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2021. Palau bans all chemical sunscreens and requires mineral-only products. Parts of the Mexican Caribbean, including some areas near Cancun, require reef-safe sunscreen at cenotes and marine parks. Bonaire, the US Virgin Islands, and Key West have enacted similar protections. Traveling with a mineral sunscreen means you are compliant wherever you dive — and not contributing to reef damage at any destination.

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Frequently asked questions

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Does reef-safe mineral sunscreen work as well as regular sunscreen?

Yes — a mineral sunscreen with a high zinc oxide concentration (20% or above) provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection comparable to high-SPF chemical sunscreens. Zinc oxide in particular provides some of the broadest UV coverage of any active ingredient. The main practical difference is that mineral sunscreens can leave a white cast on the skin, particularly on darker skin tones — newer formulations have significantly reduced this effect. They also tend to feel slightly thicker on application. The trade-off in skin feel is minimal compared to the benefit to the reef and marine life.

How much sunscreen should I apply?

Most people apply 25% to 50% of the amount needed to achieve the rated SPF. The standard guideline is one ounce (about a shot glass worth) for full body coverage, or approximately a nickel-sized amount for the face alone. You'll find the Stream2Sea products that we sell will go a long way as you require a lot less product than other brands of sunscreen. Applying too little means your actual protection is significantly lower than the SPF number on the label. Apply to all exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. For snorkeling, pay particular attention to the back of the neck, tops of the feet, backs of the hands, and the lower back — the areas facing upward while you float at the surface.

Is it better to use sunscreen or a UV shirt for snorkeling?

For areas it can cover, a UPF 50+ UV shirt is more reliable than sunscreen in the water — it provides consistent protection without washing off or requiring reapplication. The most practical approach is to combine both: a long-sleeve UV shirt for the torso, arms, and hands, and mineral reef-safe sunscreen for the face, neck, and any other exposed skin. This minimizes the amount of sunscreen needed, reducing both cost and your impact on the reef. See our UV shirts and rashguards for options.

Why is oxybenzone harmful to coral reefs?

Oxybenzone is a chemical UV filter found in the majority of conventional sunscreens. Research has shown that it causes coral bleaching by damaging the symbiotic algae that give coral its colour and provide its nutrition. It also disrupts the reproductive cycles of sea urchins, fish, and other marine organisms, and has been detected at harmful concentrations in the water at popular snorkeling sites around the world. Popular dive destinations have enacted bans specifically because of the volume of sunscreen entering the water at high-traffic reef sites. Switching to a mineral sunscreen is a straightforward way to eliminate your personal contribution to this problem.