“Reef-safe” and “reef-friendly” are unregulated marketing terms. They do not prove mineral-only ingredients or environmental safety. Look for broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and water resistance if you will swim, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Add protective clothing and shade, and reapply as the label directs.
What About BEMT Sunscreen?
Bemotrizinol, also called BEMT, is a non-mineral UV filter that the FDA permitted in June 2026. That does not make it compliant with Maui County’s mineral-only rule or the Big Island’s mineral-only sales rule. The prescription exceptions still apply. Even a blend of BEMT and zinc oxide is not mineral-only. Read our BEMT and Hawaii sunscreen explainer before buying.
Check the Formula Before Ordering
Before ordering this face sunscreen, check the current Drug Facts label. For a mineral-only formula, every active ingredient must be zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Check the product’s directions and water-resistance labeling before choosing it for a swim day.
Before ordering this face and body sunscreen, read the current active-ingredient list and application directions. Choose zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both without other active filters for a mineral-only formula. A product name or “reef-safe” claim is not enough to confirm compliance.
Hawaii restricts sales of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. Maui County also restricts non-mineral sunscreen use and sales; the Big Island restricts non-mineral sunscreen sales. Check every active ingredient.
Does a reef-safe label prove a sunscreen complies?
No. Reef-safe and reef-friendly are unregulated marketing terms. Read the active ingredients. For a mineral-only formula, choose zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both, with no other active ingredients.
Is BEMT sunscreen allowed in Hawaii?
BEMT is bemotrizinol, a non-mineral UV filter permitted by the FDA in June 2026. It does not meet Maui County’s mineral-only rule for use without a prescription or the Big Island’s mineral-only sales rule. The statewide sales law names oxybenzone and octinoxate, not BEMT.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
0:000:54
Voice
Read the transcript
Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
Voice
Read the transcript
Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
Voice
Read the transcript
Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
