Reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling in Mexico?
We will be taking a cruise to Cozumel soon, and plan to do some snorkeling. I've seen several sites mention that the Mexican government requires "reef-safe" biodegradable sunscreen to snorkel their nationally protected reefs.
Is this something that is easily obtainable locally in Cozumel? I can't find anything at local drug stores that says "reef safe" here in the USA. Should I purchase this on-line before we cruise, or is it something we can get for a decent price when we get there?
Best Answer
Tropical Seas produce a range of reef safe suncare products that biodegrade in oceans, lakes and rivers and are non-toxic to sealife. Its probably best to purchase online however you can always contact them here to ask if their products are available to purchase locally in Cozumel.
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Does Mexico require reef friendly sunscreen?
MARINE-FRIENDLY SUNSCREEN. If you visit anywhere in the Riviera Maya, including Cancun or Playa del Carmen, or even Cozumel, you'll need to come armed with Biodegradable Sunscreen. This is the only type of sunscreen that you can use in this area of Mexico, in an effort to preserve the beautiful coral reefs.What type of sunscreen is allowed in Mexico?
Whether you're visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, or any other parts of Mexico, the use of sunscreens is the best way to protect your skin. The only type of sunscreen you can use to practice sustainable tourism in Mexico is biodegradable sunscreen.What SPF sunscreen should I use in Mexico?
Use a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, preferably 30 or 45. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum, which blocks both UVA rays (that age skin) and UVB rays (that cause sunburn) that can cause skin cancer. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside for better absorption.What type of sunscreen should be used while snorkeling?
\u2013 According to NOAA, no sunblock is scientifically-proven to be reef safe, but mineral sunscreens made with non-nano titanium oxide or zinc oxide do not appear to harm corals. \u2013 Because chemical processes are used to create sunscreen, even mineral-based ones. The best option is to cover up rather than slather on.Maui Snorkeling Reef-safe Sunscreen | Protecting Maui's Reefs
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Answer 2
After our trip to Cozumel, I can report: I did not do a thorough search, but I didn't actually see an abundance of reef-safe sunscreen readily available. I looked around the shops that were near the port, and the only brand I saw there was called "Caribbean Breeze". This brand did not advertise itself as either "reef safe" or biodegradable.
We did not book ahead for our snorkeling tour, and our boat did not actually go to any of the National Park protected reefs, so I can't validate claims about the parks enforcing reef-safe sunscreen.
This blogger did some research on the affects of sunscreen on reefs, and the link is worth a read. In summary, if you are concerned about reefs, it's probably best to buy your sunscreen before your trip, and you may also want to switch to a different shampoo ;-).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Tom Fisk, John Cahil Rom, Leonardo Lamas, John Cahil Rom