Sunscreens to Use in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands (That Are Also Kind on the Environment)
The Cook Islands are tropical islands in the South Pacific, so we don’t need to tell you that packing sunscreen for your holiday here is absolutely essential. But with more and more research showing the damage that mainstream sunscreens are having on the ocean’s coral reefs, sunscreen choices are more than just about protecting your own skin.
Luckily, you don’t have to think too hard about it, as we’ve compiled a list of recommendations for the best sunscreens for the Cook Islands. Whether you’re looking for a sunscreen that’s child-friendly, water-resistant, high SPF, easy application or something else, we try to cover all bases in the guide below.
Table of Contents
5 Sun Protection Tips for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands
Sunscreen is only as good as the method and frequency with which you apply it. Here are five tips for applying sunscreen effectively, along with additional ways to protect yourself from the sun.
- Lather sunscreen thickly over all exposed skin.
- Reapply sunscreen every three hours and as soon as you dry off from being in the water.
- Go extra heavy on sun protection for children, especially those under five years old: use sunhats, sunscreen, stay in the shade when possible, and stay out of the midday sun.
- Wear a sunhat to protect the top of your head from being burnt.
- Use extra protection out on the water, such as Sharkskin‘s UV-protective shirts and rash vests.
What to Do if You Get Sunburnt
If you feel your skin burning or notice skin going red, avoid staying in the sun any longer. Continue drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and apply soothing aloe vera lotion to the affected skin.
If you have a strong headache and/or start vomiting, then it’s likely that you have heatstroke. Alternate between drinking electrolytes and water. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
For more ways to protect yourself from common illnesses or injuries in the Cook Islands, check out our Cook Islands Safety Tips.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comNatural Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
As you’ll see from all of our sunscreen listings, the sunscreens chosen are natural sunscreens containing no oxybenzone. This is because oxybenzone found in standard sunscreens has a toxic effect on young coral, causing endocrine disruption, DNA damage, exacerbated coral bleaching and death.
With the Cook Islands being an amazing place to see coral and marine life, needless to say, we’d rather admire it than harm it. What’s more, natural sunscreen is better for your skin, too.
So, when packing for the Cook Islands, be sure to look out for “reef safe” sunscreen. If you’re unsure, all of the recommendations in this entire article have been chosen because they are reef-safe.
The Best Eco-Friendly Sunscreens
| 🌞 Sunscreen | 🛡️ SPF | 🌍 Features |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Elements Plastic-Free Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Best sustainable and travel-size packaging |
| All Good Sunscreen Butter | SPF 50 | Easy to find, good all-rounder ethical sunscreen |
| Beauty by Earth Sunscreen | SPF 25 | Quick-absorption, water-resistant sunscreen |
| Ethical Zinc Sunscreen | SPF 50+ | Reliable brand found in Australia and New Zealand |
| Thrive Sunscreen | SPF 50 | High-factor and smooth application |
For more options and details on each sunscreen, see the 10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens for the Cook Islands.
Pro Tip: If you run out of natural sunscreen on Rarotonga, the Te Ara Museum usually stocks ethical and natural sunscreens.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comChildren’s Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
Young skin not only needs more protection from the sun, but it is also more sensitive to skin products. With that in mind, it’s essential to get your little ones lathered up in sunscreen that has been specially formulated for young, sensitive skin.
These natural sunscreens, using natural active ingredients, are ideal for sensitive skin. Always read the labels to determine the recommended age for using the sunscreen.
The Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies
| 🌞 Sunscreen | 🛡️ SPF | 🌍 Features |
|---|---|---|
| All Good Kid’s Sunscreen | SPF 50 | Easy to find, good all-rounder ethical sunscreen |
| Raw Elements Baby + Kids Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Best sustainable and travel-size packaging |
| Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen for Kids | SPF 50 | Reliable brand found in Australia and Amazon |
| Beauty by Earth Sunscreen | SPF 25 | Quick-absorption, water-resistant sunscreen |
| Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen | SPF 50 | “Smart Bottle Technology” changes colour in UV rays |
For further details about each of these sunscreens, check out the 5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for the Cook Islands. Plus, you might also be interested in the 29 Tips for Your Family Cook Islands Vacation with Kids.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comWater-Resistant Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
We’re no Sherlock, but we’re betting you’re going to be spending some time in the water in the Cook Islands. Because of the water’s magnifying effect with UV rays, it’s essential to keep yourself protected from the sun while you’re in the water.
While wearing a UV-protection rash vest is an easy option, you will also want to apply water-resistant sunscreen to any exposed skin.
Note that natural sunscreens typically have water resistance for up to 80 minutes.
The Best Water-Resistant Sunscreens
| 🌞 Sunscreen | 🛡️ SPF | 🌍 Features |
|---|---|---|
| TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion | SPF 30 | Made for watersports |
| All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter | SPF 50+ | Super-resistant sunscreen |
| Sun Bum Original Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Easy on; not so easy off |
| Ethical Zinc Sunscreen | SPF 50+ | Durable sunscreen found in Australia and New Zealand |
| Coral Safe Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Travel-friendly and water resistant |
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comHigh SPF Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
You see SPF ratings on sunscreens, but what do they all mean? For the Cook Islands, SPF 30 is recommended as a minimum, providing approximately 97% protection from UVB rays when applied correctly.
Upping the SPF to 45 or 50 (50 is typically the highest you can go with natural sunscreen) will only add an extra 1% of protection. Due to this minimal difference, we recommend not getting too hung up on achieving the highest SPF possible. But if that extra 1% is what you’re looking for, here are some recommendations.
The Best High-Factor Sunscreens
| 🌞 Sunscreen | 🛡️ SPF | 🌍 Features |
|---|---|---|
| Thrive Sunscreen | SPF 50 | High-factor and smooth application |
| Goddess Garden Sport | SPF 50 | Beautiful scent |
| Sun Bum Original Sunscreen | SPF 50 | Great smell and smooth application |
| Banana Boat Sport Ultra | SPF 50 | Common brand and easy to find |
| All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter | SPF 50+ | Easy to find, good all-rounder ethical sunscreen |
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comEasy Application and Easy-to-Carry Sunscreens for the Cook Islands
Swap bulky bottles and lotion that runs all over your hands and stains your clothes with some easy-to-apply sunscreens in travel-friendly containers. From bottles and tins that can fit in your pocket to face sticks where you don’t even need to get the lotion all over your hands, there are quite a few clever designs available.
The Best Easy-to-Apply Sunscreens
| 🌞 Sunscreen | 🛡️ SPF | 🌍 Features |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Safe Travel Size Tube & Tin | SPF 30 & 50 | Carabiner clip and tin are super travel-friendly |
| Raw Elements Face + Body Tin | SPF 30+ | Pocket-size and sustainable packaging |
| TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen Travel Size | SPF 30 | Aluminium packaging condenses in size |
| All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter | SPF 30 | Easy-to-carry tin |
| Sun Bum Face Stick | SPF 30 | Cute, compact and durable |
More Sunscreen and Health Tips for the Cook Islands
That’s it for our lists of the best sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands but by no means the end of our travel health tips! Just browse our other guides:
- 9 Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellents for the Cook Islands
- Is the Water Safe to Drink in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?
- What to Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
Finally, get more eco-tips in the 31 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Cook Islands and more tips for exploring the Cooks in the 30 Tips for Travelling in Rarotonga & 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])
At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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