Why Use Reef Friendly Sunscreen When Visiting Roatan

-
Over the past several decades our world has become pretty well informed about the dangers of extended sun exposure.  We’ve even gotten used to wearing sunscreen products all year round, not just when we’re heading out to the beach. Well, it’s been found that all that sunscreen is eventually finding its way into the oceans to detrimental effect.  One study estimated more than 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in the ocean every year. And it’s causing significant damage to coral reefs around the world.
This realization has caused many of those who depend on ocean-going visitors to rethink their rules and regulations.  The state government in Hawaii and marine preserve owners in Mexico, as well as others, have introduced rules meant to decrease the use of sunscreen chemicals that have been found to cause coral reef damage.  But we don’t necessarily need to wait for changes in the laws to make changes in our own behavior. In this article, we’ll try to answer the question of “Why use reef friendly sunscreen when visiting Roatan?”  We’ll also give some tips on how to stay safe in the sun while still protecting our island’s fabulous reef system.

Recent studies have shown that certain chemicals found in many sunscreens, chiefly oxybenzone and octinoxate, are extremely damaging to the development of coral and its reproductive processes.  You don’t even actually have to go in the water while wearing these sunscreens to create problems for the reefs as they’ll eventually wash off in the shower and end up in the ocean anyway. And apparently, spray-on sunscreens are even worse offenders since just as much product ends up in the air and sand (and ultimately the ocean) as it does on your body.
Even if sunscreen isn’t the only cause of coral bleaching and reef damage (climate change, microplastics, water pollution, coastal development and more have all been implicated,) it doesn’t take a lot of effort to find ways to enjoy the sun and the ocean without increasing the amount of chemicals that are affecting marine life.
You can attempt to reduce the amount of sunscreen you use while on land by covering up with umbrellas, hats and other clothing.  If you’re always in the water, consider investing in a long-sleeved rashguard. Wetsuits are also an effective way to protect yourself from UV rays while swimming.
When you do need to purchase sunscreen, avoid the sprays and stick to lotions and creams.  Don’t be assuaged by labels that proclaim to be “ocean-friendly” or “reef-safe.” Check the actual ingredients and avoid those products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Mineral-based sun blockers are preferable.  Try zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They won’t absorb into the skin like traditional sunscreens, but because of that, they’re even more effective.  Go figure that sun blocking facial smudges have become the latest in eco-friendly beach fashion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Freediving? Highlights From Roatan’s Caribbean Cup

-
Image
For those who love the water, a wide variety of water based activities and sports are available to them.  From practical activities, such as fishing and treasure hunting, to the competitive, such as boat racing and synchronized swimming or just enjoying the water for its own sake, a life around the water can be filled with an array of specialized endeavors.  One water activity that has begun to play an important role in Roatan is freediving.  What is freediving?  Highlights from Roatan’s Caribbean Cup can shine a light on this relatively new competitive sport. Freediving Origins Freediving probably originated because of necessity.  People living near large bodies of water could access new sources of food and other resources if they were able to hold their breath and dive down to the bottom.  Those who were able to stay underwater longer were able to harvest more and be better providers for their families. Competitive Freediving People have probably ...
Read more

WestJet Direct Flights to Roatan

-
Image
WestJet Airlines recently announced the debut of weekly non-stop flights between Toronto and the Honduran island of Roatan.  This seasonal service offers North Americans an affordable and convenient way to get to the Caribbean island during the colder months of the year.  Flights will begin in December of 2019 and continue until the spring. The connection between Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport and Coxen Hole’s Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport will take between 4 hours and 41 minutes and 4 hours and 17 minutes.  WestJet will be operating their Boeing 737s on the route. WestJet serves over 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.  WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer, Arved von zur Muehlen, said, “With the addition of the snorkelling paradise of Roatán to our network, WestJet guests now have convenient access to 14 Caribbean destinations non-stop from Toronto this winter.  Roatán is ho...
Read more

What To Do In Roatan

-
Image
You can be guaranteed you won’t be hard up for things to do in Roatan. No matter where you are, with all the places to stay in Roatan , you won’t be far from some sort of action. If you’re looking for some tips, check out this list of some of the more popular activities. Scuba Diving Roatan is known for some of the cheapest scuba diving in the world. Add to that fact that the world’s second largest coral reef is just offshore makes Roatan a diver’s paradise. This is a great place to get certified as well as an exciting diving spot for the more experienced. There are an abundance of diving shops to help you get set for the ocean. Snorkeling You don’t need to scuba dive to take advantage of the incredible marine life that the coral reef offers. It’s possible to swim out to the reef from places like West Bay Beach. This is one of the more popular placesto stay in Roatan . Even if you don’t make it out all the way to the reef, Roatan’s sh...
Read more