If you run reef tours — snorkelling, diving, glass-bottom boats, or island excursions — you're in a unique position. You bring people face-to-face with one of the world's most extraordinary ecosystems. But every guest who enters the water wearing conventional sunscreen adds to the chemical burden on the very reef that sustains your business.
This isn't about blame. It's about understanding the science and taking practical steps that protect both your guests and the reef.
The concentration problem
Popular snorkelling and diving sites see hundreds of visitors per day. Each person wearing sunscreen releases chemicals into a relatively small area of water. Research has measured sunscreen chemical concentrations at popular reef tourism sites at levels 10 to 100 times higher than the threshold known to cause coral bleaching and DNA damage.
Oxybenzone causes coral bleaching at concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion. At a busy reef site with 200+ daily visitors, concentrations can far exceed this — creating a persistent toxic environment for the coral below.
The Great Barrier Reef generates $6.4 billion annually for the Australian economy and supports 64,000 jobs. A degraded reef means fewer visitors, less revenue, and fewer jobs. Reef protection is business protection.
What Palau got right
Palau's Responsible Tourism Education Act doesn't just ban reef-toxic sunscreens — it requires tour operators to educate visitors about reef-safe practices. This dual approach (legislation + education) has been far more effective than either strategy alone. Read more about what Hawaii and Palau can teach Australia.
Australian tour operators don't need to wait for legislation to adopt similar practices. In fact, proactive operators who lead on reef safety can differentiate themselves in an increasingly eco-conscious tourism market.
Practical steps for operators
1. Educate before they enter the water
Add a brief reef-safety briefing to your pre-dive or pre-snorkel talk. Most guests genuinely don't know their sunscreen harms coral. A 60-second explanation — delivered without judgment — can change behaviour on the spot.
2. Offer reef-safe sunscreen on board
Stock mineral-based, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen for guests to use. Some operators provide it free; others sell it at cost. Either way, making the right choice the easy choice is the most effective strategy. See our guide to reef-safe sunscreen.
3. Provide UPF clothing options
Offer UPF rash guards or stinger suits for guests. These provide better UV protection than sunscreen alone and eliminate chemical runoff entirely for covered skin. Many operators already provide stinger suits in season — framing them as reef-safe gear adds value. Learn about sun protection alternatives.
4. Encourage a rinse before entry
If your vessel has a freshwater rinse station, encourage guests to rinse off excess sunscreen before entering the water. A quick rinse can remove a significant amount of product that would otherwise wash directly onto the reef.
5. Make it part of your brand
Eco-conscious travellers actively seek out operators who demonstrate genuine environmental responsibility. A clear reef-safe sunscreen policy — communicated on your website, booking confirmations, and on-board — is a competitive advantage, not a burden.
What to tell your guests
Keep it simple, positive, and non-judgmental:
"Before we head in, a quick note on sunscreen. Many common sunscreens contain chemicals that damage the coral we're about to visit. We have reef-safe sunscreen available on board — it protects your skin just as well without harming the reef. We also have rash guards if you'd prefer to cover up. Small choice, big difference."
The bigger picture
Tour operators interact with millions of visitors each year. That's millions of opportunities to educate, influence behaviour, and reduce the chemical load on our reefs. No government policy can match the reach and immediacy of a tour guide who explains the issue face-to-face, moments before guests enter the water.
The reef is your business. Protecting it isn't just the right thing to do — it's the smart thing to do.
We can help you create briefing scripts, signage, and guest communication materials tailored to your operation.
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