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Reef-safe sunscreen at Molokini Crater

The short answer Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Ignore the words on the front of the bottle and read the ingredient list.

By Snorkel Molokini, run by Redline Rafting, a Molokini raft company Updated

A snorkeler holding a large dome-port camera at the waterline, Molokini's pale cliff above and clear water below
A split-level shot at the waterline below the cliff. Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Looking up from the reef at a snorkeler seen as a dark shape against the bright surface and sunburst
A snorkeler seen from below as a dark shape against the bright surface, over a reef. Photo: Snorkel Molokini

Which sunscreen can I use on Maui?

Mineral sunscreen only. Maui County's Bill 135, signed into law as Ordinance 5306, bans the sale, use and distribution of non-mineral sunscreens from October 1, 2022, unless a licensed healthcare provider prescribes one. The mineral ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Rules can change, so check Maui County's sunscreen page before you shop.

Does a "reef-safe" label mean anything?

Not by itself. NOAA's page on sunscreen and coral does not mention reef-safe labels or define the term. It names the ingredients to watch.

So pick by the back of the bottle. A "reef friendly" label does not tell you whether a product meets the Maui rule.

Which ingredients should I avoid?

NOAA names these among the chemicals to watch: oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. The state's release also counts all three as non-mineral sunscreens. NOAA lists nano forms of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as well.

Look for a single "active ingredients" box that reads zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both. If it names anything else, leave it on the shelf.

What about "non-nano"?

NOAA flags nano-sized mineral particles on its list. A bottle marked non-nano avoids that flag. NOAA says how these compounds affect reef ecosystems remains an active area of research, so this is a precaution and not a proven rule.

Are sprays okay?

The rule is about ingredients, so a spray with only mineral actives is allowed. Apply it on land and rub it in. Check the same ingredient box as for lotion.

How can I use less?

NOAA suggests two other steps: seek shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear UPF sun clothing.

  • A long-sleeve rash guard covers your back, the part of you that faces the sun while you float.
  • Wear a hat on the boat. Use the shade on deck between snorkel stops.
  • Save the lotion for face, neck, hands and feet.

If the water is cold for you, a wetsuit top also covers skin. NOAA says many people feel comfortable in water of 70 to 78 °F. See water temperature in Maui to decide whether you need one.

When should I put it on?

Before you board. Apply it on land, let it dry, and bring the bottle on the boat. Give it a few minutes to dry before you get wet, and follow the directions on the bottle.

Some boats say sunscreen is on board. Aliʻi Nui and Sail Maui list reef-safe sunscreen among their inclusions, and Trilogy lists it for guests who forget theirs. Their pages are Aliʻi Nui, Sail Maui and Trilogy. We cannot check what is in those bottles, so read the label if you use one.

Where can I buy it on Maui?

We do not name a brand. Because the county bars the sale of non-mineral sunscreen, stores on Maui should stock mineral options. Check the ingredient box in the store, as above.

More on reef manners

See reef manners and choosing a boat, the Molokini snorkel guide and 15 snorkel tips.

Filed under Molokini · Molokini Crater · Maui snorkeling · Snorkeling · Maui

Sources and corrections

The 7 sources for this page
  1. News release 19 Nov 2021: Maui County Council passes bill prohibiting non-mineral sunscreens (Bill 135) (Hawaiʻi DLNR), read . Backs: Maui County's Bill 135, signed as Ordinance 5306, bans the sale, use or distribution of non-mineral sunscreens without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, from Oct 1, 2022; mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. · DLNR's Nov 2021 release lists octinoxate, octocrylene and oxybenzone as non-mineral chemical sunscreens, and says zinc oxide and titanium dioxide remain allowed.
  2. Maui County's sunscreen ordinance takes effect on Oct. 1 (MauiNow), read . Backs: The ordinance took effect on Oct. 1, 2022; non-mineral sunscreen is allowed with a prescription issued by a licensed healthcare provider.
  3. Skincare chemicals and coral reefs (NOAA National Ocean Service), read . Backs: NOAA says some chemical UV filters can harm coral; mineral sunscreen is a better option; it lists oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene and nano forms; it suggests shade 10 am to 2 pm and UPF clothing; it gives no definition of reef-safe labels.
  4. NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, Hawaiian Island Coast monthly average table (station: Kahului, Kahului Harbor). Product page: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/coastal-water-temperature-guide (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information), read . Backs: Many people feel comfortable swimming in 70-78 F water.
  5. aliinuimaui.com (Aliʻi Nui), read . Backs: Aliʻi Nui lists reef-safe sunscreen among inclusions.
  6. sailmaui.com (Sail Maui), read . Backs: Sail Maui lists reef-safe sunscreen among inclusions.
  7. sailtrilogy.com (Trilogy Excursions), read . Backs: Trilogy lists reef-safe sunscreen if you forget yours.

Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us. We check every report, fix what we can confirm and date the change on this page.