Rash guard for snorkeling? Why wear one? aka UV swim shirts or sun shirts 🌴🐠

ALOHA!

Rash guards can be perfect for snorkeling to better protect you from the sun as you are swimming.

So if you’re getting ready for your first snorkeling trip… maybe snorkeling in Hawaii (like on Oahu, on Maui, or on the Big Island)… maybe snorkeling in the Florida Keys… you may be getting started on figuring out what some of the essentials for snorkeling are.

And if you haven’t already, if you’re going to Hawaii, then soon enough you’ll probably hear about a suggestion of wearing a rash guard for when you go snorkeling.

So…

What is a rash guard?!

You’ve probably seen pictures of surfers.

In which case, these are the types of shirts that is common for surfers to wear.

A rash guard quite literally is a “guard” against a “rash.”

One of the “rashes” that was “guarded” against was said to be chafing from skin to surfboard contact as surfers were paddling out to sea.

But as a snorkeler, your skin isn’t rubbing against anything.

After all, you’re mostly just casually swimming along looking for fish and turtles.

Hawaii marine life for you!

If you’re going snorkeling in Hawaii, you may also be interested in this marine life in Hawaii:

• Hookipa Beach turtles in Maui
• Punaluu black sand beach turtles on the Big Island
• Waikiki turtles in Honolulu
• Laniakea Beach turtles on the North Shore of Oahu
• Hookipa Beach Hawaiian monk seals in Maui

Know before you go! Know what it is when you see it!

• humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaii state fish… it’s not as hard to pronounce as you might think!)
• Hawaiian white-spotted toby (cute little Hawaiian pufferfish!)

So then…

Why wear a rash guard when you go snorkeling?

Well, if you consider sunburn to be a rash…

Another one of the rashes that a rash guard protects against is sunburn.

For snorkeling, one of the biggest reasons to wear a rash guard aka swim shirt is for that sun protection.

And, if you want to be environmentally friendly, then wearing a swim shirt is the environmentally-friendly option compared to wearing sunscreen! (Sunscreen has chemicals. You wear sunscreen. You go into water. Toxic chemicals also go into the water. Marine life are impacted by these toxic chemicals. That’s what they say is the reason for the banning of sales of certain sunscreen in Hawaii anyway.)

So wearing a swim shirt that has built-in UV protection (which rash guards generally do!) means that you have less skin exposed.

And having less skin exposed means that you need to apply less sunscreen!

It also means that you don’t need to be as concerned with making sure to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day too. Although it’s still a good idea to apply sunscreen on the skin that’s still exposed, but a swim shirt means a lot less sunscreen you need to apply!

Remember, when you’re snorkeling, your entire backside is going to be exposed to the sun.

And since you’re likely going snorkeling in a tropical destination, also keep in mind that the sun is probably stronger than you’re used to back home. Meaning, it can be a good idea to be extra careful about protecting yourself from the sun!

Now…

Find your perfect rash guard for snorkeling!

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Rash guards for women

• Popular short sleeve swimming shirt
• Popular long sleeve swimming shirt
• Long sleeve zip-up
• Brand name: O’Neill rash guard

If you are a female, it is typical to wear something like a bathing suit underneath the rash guard. You can search amazon for something like “bathing suit” or “swimsuit top”! For bottoms, you can wear your swimsuit of course, and you can also search on amazon for something like “swim shorts.”

Rash guards for men

• Popular short sleeve swimming shirt
• Popular long sleeve swimming shirt
• Brand name: Popular O’Neill rash guard
• Brand name: Popular Quiksilver rash guard

Also search on Amazon for bottoms like “swim shorts” or “swim trunks” or “board shorts”!

Rash guards for kids

Rash guards for girls

• Short sleeve swim set (top and bottom)
• Long sleeve swim set (top and bottom)
• Long sleeve (top only)

Rash guards for boys

• Short sleeve (top only)
• Long sleeve swim set (top and bottom)

What else should you pack for snorkeling?

Unless you are jumping off a boat to go snorkeling in the middle of the ocean, you’ll likely be quite happy to be wearing water shoes if you aren’t wearing snorkeling fins! (I’d say definitely YES to water shoes if you’re snorkeling in Hawaii!)

It will depend on your specific snorkeling destination, but there could be rocky beach entrances.

If you’re swimming above coral reef (the food that fish are attracted to!) then water shoes can also protect against accidentally kicking it and cutting yourself.

Coral reef is SHARP!
 

And if you don’t have a dedicated underwater camera, you may want a waterproof phone case to turn your phone into an underwater camera!

HAPPY SNORKELING WITH A RASH GUARD ON!