What Could Possibly Ruin Your Maui Vacation? 10 Tips to Protect Yourself
While the balmy breeze-filled mornings melt away into lazy afternoons, what peeks behind our Haleakala mountain is our blazing sun. With hours of year-round warm tropical sunshine-filled days to splash and enjoy your time in, sunburns are no fun!
Take proper precautions so you can return home with a sun-kissed Maui tan instead of a burning Santa coat of redness.
When basking in the sun during your Hawaiian getaway, it’s crucial to remember that the islands lie a mere 23 degrees north of the equator. This proximity to the equator means that the sun’s rays are more intense than what you may be accustomed to back home, making it easier to get sunburned. To ensure that your sun-filled afternoons remain a source of joy rather than a painful memory, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the latest sun protection tips. By taking the necessary precautions, you can safeguard your skin from the potent ultraviolet rays and fully enjoy your well-deserved vacation without any unpleasant surprises.
1. Get sunscreen that is spf 15 or higher.
2. Be serious about sunscreen and choose what’s safe. These days there are two different types of sunscreens, toxic, chemical sunscreen and reef-safe, healthy sunscreen. Only use reef-safe with enough SPF to protect you. We only have one shot at saving our coral reefs and your choice matters on a collective level.
3. Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before you expose yourself to the sun.
4. Avoid baby oils. These don’t protect you from the sun. Get one of these amazing reef-safe sunscreens.
5. Keep your sunshine activities planned for the morning and take your shady chill time at noon and afternoon when the sun is strongest from 10am – 4pm.
6. Cloudy days are still not an excuse. Ultraviolet light will still find its way through clouds. You can get a pretty good burn from the reflection of the sun off the water.
7. Cover up. If you plan to be out on the water with any activity like a boat ride, whale watch tour or stand-up paddleboard adventure don’t forget a long-sleeved rash guard and hat. Make sure you choose a hat that will stay on during our Maui trade wind days.
8. Wrap on your favorite sunglasses. That’s a must! Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory good shades protect your eyes from UV radiation.
9. Find shade. Bring an umbrella to the beach or go early to snag a seat under a shade tree. Keep in mind that umbrellas are dangerous in the wind if you don’t have them locked down with weight (we like to tie the umbrella bag to the umbrella fabric and fill it with sand.)
10. Reapply your sunscreen! If you jump in the water, use a towel, or sweat, your sunscreen will come off or absorb. Effectiveness relies on regular application.
Research and get the safe sunscreen that will protect you.
Need ideas of where to shop for sunscreen on Maui give our on-island vacation rental experts a call at (808) 879-6284.
