ALOHA!
So the big question when it comes to that Hawaii sun with strong rays!
To buy sunscreen before you leave for Hawaii, or to buy sunscreen once you arrive in Hawaii?!
How much does sunscreen cost in Hawaii?
What’s the best sunscreen to take with you to Hawaii?!
It really comes down to cost and convenience!
In most cases, there probably isn’t much of a reason to NOT buy sunscreen at home and fly it over with you to Hawaii.
But one of the main reasons that you may want to wait is if you’re trying to pack ultra-light to avoid baggage fees with carry-on luggage only… AND you want a bigger bottle of sunscreen.
TSA-approved bottles of sunscreen for travel
If you don’t mind carrying a bunch of smaller sizes, you can find TSA-approved sunscreen in packet form or small lotion bottle form that are travel-sized sunscreen like these. Or you can transfer a big bottle of sunscreen into TSA-approved small travel bottles like these. These can be solutions when you’re trying to pack light for Hawaii and do carry-on only.
But if space and carrying liquids are not an issue, you might as well buy it at home!
While it’s not exactly inconvenient to buy sunscreen in Hawaii, it’s one less thing to worry about when you just want to relax after a long flight to Hawaii!
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
How much does sunscreen cost in Hawaii?
In general, you can likely expect a normal bottle of sunscreen to cost $1-3 more than you would pay for it back at home.
If you’re not picky about your sunscreen brand, you can likely find a normal size bottle of sunscreen in Hawaii for $10.
As an example, let’s take a look at 2 popular water-resistant sunscreens that you can find in Hawaii and likely at home:
what to wear in hawaii >> what to wear snorkeling – what to wear hiking
Sunscreen in Waikiki
In Waikiki, sunscreen will be easily accessible for purchase on nearly every corner with the convenience stores known as ABC Stores. So if you’re staying in a Waikiki hotel or airbnb, sunscreen is just a short walk away!
Here is sunscreen at an ABC Store in Waikiki in 2017:
The squeeze bottle of Coppertone Sport is listed on sale at $9.99.
Neutrogena Beach Defense spray is listed on sale at $10.99.
Sunscreen in Oahu supermarkets
If you’re staying in another location outside of Waikiki at an airbnb vacation rental, a supermarket is likely not too far away. Foodland, Safeway, and Times are among the cost-savings supermarkets.
Here is sunscreen at a Times Supermarket on Oahu in 2017:
The squeeze bottle of Coppertone Sport is listed on sale at $9.98.
Neutrogena Beach Defense spray is listed on sale at $10.98.
Sunscreen online
For comparison, take a look at the online prices of sunscreen:
Here is Neutrogena Beach Defense.
Other sunscreen brands to give a look
Sun Bum sunscreen
Sun Bum – This is the brand trusted by Hawaiian lifeguards! You might even find the sun bum logo at the end of rescue surfboards at lifeguard stations! Sun bum sunscreen comes in a variety of forms. See here.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Reef-safe sunscreen – The snorkeling and scuba diving community is in agreement that the chemicals in certain types of sunscreen can be harmful to the coral reef. This type of sunscreen is said to be more environmentally safe. While there does seem to be some debate over what makes sunscreen safe and what doesn’t, in general, one of the ingredients to avoid is oxybenzone if you are looking to minimize your environmental impact through sunscreen.
Best sunscreen for Hawaii
And so, if you’re looking for the best sunscreen for Hawaii, you may want to go for these kinds of reef-safe sunscreens. Why could you consider these as one of the best sunscreens for Hawaii? Because Hawaii was even considering a sunscreen ban on those that aren’t reef-safe in an effort to protect coral reef. See more about that here.
How much sunscreen do you need in Hawaii?
Generally, a normal size bottle of sunscreen would probably be good for 2 people for a week. Of course, this will depend on how much you actually use and re-apply each day.
You will likely use up more if you’re going snorkeling in Hawaii and you leave your entire back exposed directly to the Hawaii sun. That’s a lot of area that needs to be covered every 60-90 minutes or so.
How to minimize the amount of sunscreen that you need to put on
On the flip side, if you’re wearing shirts that offer UV protection like these when you’re snorkeling, that means that you need far less sunscreen! It also means that you don’t have to be so concerned with diligently reapplying so you don’t get burned. You’ll still want to make sure to adequately reapply the exposed parts of your skin, but your shoulders and back are more vulnerable to getting burned. And, sunburn in those areas can be really painful!
HAPPY SUNNY DAYS IN HAWAII!
what to wear in hawaii >> what to wear snorkeling – what to wear hiking
things to do in oahu | map >> snorkeling – hiking – biking | waikiki – north shore – east oahu
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling