KEEPING OUR REEFS SAFE: NEED TO KNOW
At The Road Less Traveled, we fully understand and embrace the importance of being responsible travelers: of being respectful to each and every person in any community, and to remember that we are the visitors. We take very seriously the ethic of honoring, preserving, and sustaining the natural environment in which we live, fostering environmental stewardship.
On our teen tours, we work to educate our participants on ways they can help, no matter how big or small. Today’s focus: reef conservation and how you can help at home.
Reef Conservation International’s Ban on All Non-Reef Safe Sunscreen
Over the past three years, one-fifth of the world’s coral reefs have died off — and there is a growing awareness that sunscreen is playing a role. On average 14,000 tons of sunscreen slide off of humans and onto the world’s coral reefs each year, exposing these gorgeous underwater ecosystems to chemicals that kill them. The science has become irrefutable, chemicals in sunscreen (most notably oxybenzone and octinoxate) kill developing coral, increase the bleaching of coral and damage the developing polyps.
In 2019, Reef Conservation International banned all sunscreens that kill coral reef and all volunteers and RLT participants must bring only reef-safe sunscreen on their programs.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen: What You Need To Know
The absence of oxybenzone and octinoxate in listed ingredients. These two chemicals are harmful to corals and can cause sunscreen-induced coral bleaching, so look for them in the ingredient list. Their absence points to the product being reef-safe.
Mineral based sunscreen with the ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are mineral-based, so rather than being absorbed like traditional sunscreen, the particles of these ingredients sit on top of the skin and block harmful UV rays. These ingredients are less harmful to corals and are not linked to coral bleaching.
Indication that ingredients are “non-nano”. In order for mineral sunblocks to leave corals untouched, they must be “non-nano”, meaning the ingredient particles must be above 100 nanometers in size so that they cannot be ingested by corals.
Reef-safe labels. Typically, companies will label their products as “reef-safe” but always check the ingredients to be sure.
List of the Best Recommended Reef-Safe Sunscreens on the Market
Badger SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen Cream
Stream2Sea SPF 30 Mineral Sunblock
Thinksport SPF 50 Sunscreen
All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Coral Safe All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen
Sun Bum Reef Friendly Ingredients Sunscreen
Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Lotion
Raw Elements SPF 30 Certified Natural Sunscreen
Tropical Sands Biodegradable Mineral Sunscreen
Sunscreens are far from the only threat to coral reefs. Climate change/warming oceans, overfishing, coastal runoff, and ocean acidification represent the major reasons why coral reefs are dying around the world. However, banning sunscreens that are not reef-safe does remove one of the many threats that do cause damage. We want all of our volunteers to enjoy the beauty of reef ecosystems and together we hope to set the example for a more sustainable future.
Check out our diving programs below to learn more about volunteer opportunities on our teen tours. We work with conservation experts on water-based projects related to the re-population and protection of coral reefs in Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Mallorca, and the Azores.
