Are there any regulations on the type of sunscreen you need to use in Bonaire? A couple of places we have snorkeled in Mexico required a specific type of eco-friendly sunscreen and I was surprised I had not seen this mentioned anywhere.

We hope to cover up as much as possible while we are in the water but we are pretty sun conscious and will have sunblock on all the time.

Are these products available locally (and reasonably priced)?

Currently there are no restrictions on Bonaire..

Jamie:
If you don't have them already, we live in our dive skins while on Bonaire. Henderson makes very affordable ones that give very good sun protection. I also use a hood of similar material. We dive and snorkel all day long in Bonaire and I have never gotten sunburn. I do put a little sunscreen on my face though. I burn easy and these measures allow me to stay in the sun all day long for our usual 2wk Bonaire trips.

We use Blue Lizard SPF30+ Sensitive. Same exact formulation as their Baby version. Both contain only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which are physical sunblocks (i.e., not chemical sunscreens), and therefore not deemed as hazardous/damaging to the reef as the chemical (i.e., PABA or benzone-containing formulations). Goes on slightly white (but not as white as the noses of the lifeguards of my youth), but rubs in quite well. Fairly waterproof, and doesn't easily rub off once it has been rubbed in. Have only needed to reapply it at most once a day after the initial application, although we make a point of not staying in the sun any longer than necessary. We also wear lycra skins that cover us from neck to ankles, and that, combined with the sunscreen has prevented sunburn. We initially bought a small tube of Blue Lizard locally at home (about $10 for 3 oz.) and then bought a gallon (128 oz) bottle at drugstore.com for $149. (The gallon bottle will last two of us for two 4-week trips to Bonaire plus six months of thrice a week bike rides plus multiple other uses.)

I've had lycra skins and dive skins that left me sun burned where the suit was silver or red but not where it was black or blue.

Its been a while since I bought one, but can you now buy dive skins, that are designed to protect you from the sun?

I'll look into Henderson, any other suggestions while I'm at it? (I've also seen the water swim shirts called coolibar)

Mark:
There are several dive skins on the market that have SPF ratings. We use the Henderson Lycra Hotskin and have not burned. I would imagine that getting the proper size for you is also important as too much stretch spreads the material thin.

Since I have a love/hate relationship with the sun----and want to protect the reefs---I really like the Coolibar products. I wear a long sleeve lycra "shirt"(zip front) and long lycra pants. Both have SPF 90 in the material and last for a very long time and many vacations. I do wear sunscreen on exposed skin areas. I also have several long, lightweight pants and long sleeve shirts that also have SPF 90 for wear above the water---oh, and a big hat too! I just recently learned that I may bring my doc's letter to allow me to cover my hands while snorkeling---thanks to this forum! Since we will be on Bonaire for a month, and I only snorkel/float along the top, this will be most helpful in protecting my skin from further damage. No, I have no connection with the Coolibar company. Simply trying to help folks protect the reefs from the "lotions" and their skin from furture skin cancers. Safe travels. Peace. ME

I would also add, found the price of "swim" skins - as did my friend - she wears a full, I use a Tshirt style and a doo rag - anyway, we found them to be cheaper and much better selection in Bonaire! than in the US dive shops near us!

As to sunscreens, interesting to know as I did not hear of places that asked for certain types. I do use PABA frees due to skin itching from the latter.

Please, everyone, cover up and "screen" as best you can - I just got the stitches out today from a surgery for squamous skin cancer, between my upper lip and nose. I got some severe sunburns as a kid/young adult living by the east coast and am now paying the price, no doubt. Be safe, be careful! You can enjoy the sun and still do both!