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Reef-Safe Sunscreen in Hawaii: The Law and What to Buy
Hawaii's reef-safe sunscreen law, why oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned, how to choose mineral sunscreen, and how else to protect the reef.
In Hawaii, choosing reef-safe sunscreen is both the law and the right thing to do. Hawaii was the first U.S. state to restrict sunscreen chemicals linked to coral damage - oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned from sale without a prescription. A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide protects your skin and leaves the reefs intact. The choice is simple once you know the rule.
Two banned chemicals
Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate cannot be sold in Hawaii without a prescription. Check the active ingredients on the back of the bottle - not the front label - before you pack or buy.Hawaii's sunscreen law
Hawaii passed the ban in 2018 and it took effect in 2021, making it the first such law in the United States. The Maui County ordinance added further restrictions. The goal is direct: reduce the chemical load reaching coral reefs that are already under stress from warming ocean temperatures, runoff, and overuse. Bring your own mineral sunscreen from home or buy one locally - both options are widely available.
Why it matters for reefs
Coral reefs are living ecosystems - communities of animals, not rocks - that shelter the fish, turtles, and marine life visitors come to see while snorkeling. Research has linked oxybenzone and octinoxate to coral bleaching, DNA damage in marine organisms, and disruption of fish development, especially in high-traffic swimming areas where sunscreen concentrations are greatest. A single small change in your kit has a real cumulative effect.
How to choose reef-safe sunscreen
Look for "mineral" or "physical" sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients. The "non-nano" specification means the particles are larger than 100 nanometers, which prevents them from being absorbed by coral tissue. Avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and homosalate - some of these are under further scientific scrutiny even if not yet banned by Hawaii law.
Because "reef-safe" is not a regulated label in the U.S., the front of the bottle means nothing. A sunscreen can claim "reef-safe" while containing harmful chemicals. Read the active ingredients list on the back every time. Popular reef-safe brands available in Hawaii include Raw Elements, Badger, Thinksport, Blue Lizard, and Sun Bum Mineral. ABC Stores, Longs Drugs, Walmart, and Target in Hawaii all stock compliant options.
Mineral sunscreen goes on thicker and whiter than chemical sunscreen, which takes getting used to. Some newer formulations are tinted or blend better. Apply 15-30 minutes before entering the water for best adhesion. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, even if the bottle claims water resistance.
Beyond sunscreen
Sun shirts, rash guards, and wide-brim hats dramatically reduce how much sunscreen you need in the first place, which helps the reef further still. Combine mineral sunscreen with not touching coral, not feeding fish, and keeping your distance from turtles and monk seals - all part of the mālama spirit that makes Hawaii worth protecting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sunscreen is banned in Hawaii?
What is reef-safe sunscreen?
Do I have to use reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii?
We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.