The Best Reef-Safe and Sustainable Sunscreens to Take to the Cook Islands
Sunscreen is an absolute must for every day, every season and any time in the Cook Islands. With high to extreme UV levels all year round and long sunny days, you will need protection to cope with the tropical sun that you, no doubt, have been longing for.
However, with sun protection comes environmental responsibility, as the fragile coral reefs that make the Cook Islands the pristine destination they are, can’t withstand the chemicals contained in mainstream sunscreens. Plus, let’s be honest, those chemicals are not always good for your skin either. For those reasons and more, we’ve come up with this list of the best reef-safe sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands following four main criteria:
- They are reef-safe
- They contain mostly natural ingredients
- The sunscreen itself is biodegradable
If you are on the market for kids’ sunscreen as well, make sure to check out our 5 Best Kids and Babies Sunscreens for the Cook Islands where you will find options for the whole family. Plus, you might want to combine your sun protection with some mosquito protection, as listed in the 9 Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellents for the Cook Islands.
Finally, remember to reapply sunscreen every three hours and after towel-drying yourself!
Table of Contents
1. All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter and Lotion
A fantastic environmentally-friendly and reef-safe sunscreen brand is All Good. Coming in both sunscreen butter and lotions, you have a choice in how you want to protect yourself and the environment. What’s great about the butter is that it’s compact and great for on-the-go.
On the other hand, the lotion is something more of us are used to. The sunscreens come in SPF 30 and remain water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The organic rosehips, green tea and buriti oil ingredients also help repair damaged skin.
Being gluten-free, vegan, non-nano, biodegradable and coral reef-friendly is all but a big bonus!
Check All Good out on Amazon!
© Amazon2. Raw Elements Sunscreen
Another brand that offers reef-safe sunscreen in a tin, Raw Elements has a decent broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The formula is gentle enough for kids, although they do offer kids sunscreens in a tin and a cardboard tube while also being free from synthetic chemicals.
For more great options for little ones, check out the 5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Cook Islands.
Check Raw Elements out on Amazon!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com3. Sun Bum Sun Care
Sun Bum is a trusted reef-safe sunscreen brand with an ever-expanding range of sun care products, from sunscreen to aftersun to tanning oil. For us, we’re happy with the Original SPF 30 sunscreen that’s been keeping the Cook Islands Pocket Guide team’s skins safe for several South Pacific destinations.
While smooth and easy to apply, the thing that makes this sunscreen stand out from the rest is the subtle banana scent – it smells so good! On the downside, it did make our eyes sting when applied too close, so be careful of that.
Check Sun Bum out on Amazon.
© Amazon4. Thrive Regenerative Skincare
One tried on our latest trip to Cook Islands; Thrive stands out as a reef-safe sunscreen that feels like a moisturiser during application. With a beautiful floral smell powered by “Costa Rican super-plants, Juanilama, Fierrillo and Coralillo”, this sunscreen is an awesome alternative to chemical sunscreens.
It uses non-nano zinc oxide and is PABA- and GMO-free. Although the tube is plastic, it is at least made of recycled plastic.
Check Thrive out on Amazon!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com5. Ethical Zinc
A brand that is easy to find in New Zealand and Australian pharmacies, Ethical Zinc is another one we use on a regular basis and without a hitch! Made with an uncoated certified natural pharmaceutical grade zinc oxide, this is a very effective broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen.
Although the packaging isn’t recyclable, as with most sunscreens out there, the sunscreen is at least made nearby in Australia using 100% solar power! Needless to say, this is a more local but good reef-safe option.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com6. Coral Safe Sunscreen
Picture addicts, pay attention! This sunscreen is the least visible on the skin of the whole list. So, if you are after your sunscreen stroke-free selfies, this may just be your best option. It uses mineral ingredients to protect your skin against UVA and UVB. It is also baby and kid-safe and coral reef-safe.
By the way, share your selfies with us on Instagram and Facebook! Find photo inspiration in the 10 Best Photography Spots in Cook Islands.
Check Coral Safe Sunscreen out on Amazon!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com7. Beauty by Earth Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Although only coming in a factor of SPF 25, Beauty by Earth Sunscreen is still a great option for all ages. The fast-setting formula means you don’t need to hang around before jumping in the water, just apply and away you go! The mix of aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter is great for your skin, while the non-nano zinc oxide keeps the sun rays at bay.
Plus, by coming in a 118 ml/4 fl. oz bottle, it is compact enough to fit in your day pack yet big enough to last most holidays in Cook Islands.
Check out Beauty by Earth Sunscreen on Amazon!
© Amazon8. TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen
This SPF 30 sunscreen is gentle on the skin and free from harsh chemicals, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzoe. If you’re looking for a reliable water-resistant sunscreen, then TropicSport has passed the FDA 80-minute and the Australian 4-hour water resistance test.
The sunscreen is also suitable for the whole family, approved for use for 6-month-olds and older. What’s more, it’s reef-safe.
Check TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen out on Amazon!
© Amazon9. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
Another one hailing from the nearby region of Australia, Blue Lizard is particularly fantastic for those with sensitive skin, including kids and babies.
There’s no messing around with all of their sunscreen range coming in SPF 50+. Of course, the mineral-based sunscreen contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate, while the water-resistant yet paraben- and fragrance-free formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin.
What’s more, bottles are made with “Smart Bottle Technology” meaning that they will change colour when left exposed to harmful UV rays; just in case you need an indicator of when to apply.
Check out Blue Lizard Sunscreen on Amazon!
© Amazon10. Banana Boat
A brand you’ll hardly struggle to find, Banana Boat has been on the sunscreen scene for years now. Finally, their new formulas are free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are the two main ingredients to avoid when looking for reef-safe sunscreen.
While not as eco-friendly as other sunscreens on this list, not to mention the massive plastic bottle, if you don’t have access to the others, Banana Boat might be an Ok Plan B.
Check Banana Boat out on Amazon!
© AmazonMore About Reef-Safe Sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands
That’s it for our list of reef-safe sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands but wait, there’s more! Check out a wider range of sunscreens, as well as other sustainable choices, in the following guides:
- The Best Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
- 5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
- 9 Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellents for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
Finally, get more eco-tips in the 31 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Cook Islands.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
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