Whether you're suiting up for your next reef dive or planning a laid-back beach day, the gear you bring can have a bigger impact on the ocean than you might think. Making conscious choices doesn’t just protect the marine ecosystem; it helps preserve the places we love to explore.
With more people embracing eco-friendly lifestyles, it's never been easier to swap out wasteful habits for reef-friendly essentials that truly make a difference. Here's how to tell if a product is actually ocean-safe, plus a few of our favorite picks to keep in your dive bag or beach tote all year long.
What Makes a Product Eco-Friendly?
Not all “eco” labels are created equal. A truly eco-friendly product is one that minimizes harm to the environment across its entire lifecycle, including how it’s made, how it’s used, and how it’s disposed of. For ocean lovers, that means looking for gear and personal care items that are biodegradable, non-toxic to marine life, reusable or recyclable, and responsibly manufactured.
Key features to look for include reef-safe ingredients (such as non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide), plastic-free or low-waste packaging, and sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled polyester. Supporting brands that give back to ocean conservation efforts is another way to make your dollars count.
6 Eco-Friendly Products to Consider for Your Next Dive or Beach Outing
Protecting the ocean starts with the gear you bring along. Whether you're gearing up for a morning dive, a beach picnic, or a weekend snorkeling trip, small changes in your packing list can have a lasting impact on the marine environment. From reef-safe sunscreen to reusable essentials, these products are designed to protect both you and the ocean.
1. Stream2Sea Reef-Safe Sunscreen
This is the gold standard for reef-safe sun protection. Unlike many brands that claim to be reef-friendly, Stream2Sea is the only mineral-based sunscreen that’s been tested and proven safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and coral larvae, and has passed the stringent HEL Labs Protect Land + Sea certification. No oxybenzone, no octinoxate. Just broad-spectrum mineral SPF that won’t leave a white cast or harm marine life. Bonus: they even use sugarcane resin tubes instead of plastic.
2. Reusable Water Bottle
Single-use plastic bottles are one of the top pollutants found during coastal cleanups, making them a major threat to marine ecosystems. Swapping them out for a solid, insulated water bottle keeps your drinks cold during long surface intervals and helps prevent countless plastics from entering the ocean. Brands like Ocean Bottle take it a step further by funding plastic collection efforts for every bottle sold. It’s a simple, durable switch that supports cleaner coastlines and years of adventure.
3. Coconut Smuggler Hair & Body Products
After a long day in the sun and salt, your hair and skin deserve a little love. Coconut Smuggler created the ultimate pre- and post-ocean hair and body care set. The Salt Shield is a pre-ocean spray that coats your strands with protective hydration before the sea and sun do their thing, helping to prevent damage and dryness. After your swim, reach for Landlubber, a nourishing, aloe-based formula that doubles as a detangler, leave-in conditioner, and after-sun skin soother. Best of all, their products are ocean-friendly, cruelty-free, and free of toxic chemicals, so you can treat your body and the planet with care.
4. Mesh Dive Bag or Beach Cleanup Bag
A good mesh bag does more than carry your fins—it doubles as a tool for collecting stray trash during beach walks or reef dives. Brands like 4Ocean make bags from recycled fishing net and ocean plastics, turning waste into something genuinely useful. Not only do they help reduce marine debris, but they also encourage a hands-on cleanup culture wherever you go. Keep one in your dive kit or car so you’re always ready to make a positive impact.
5. Reef-Friendly Hair & Body Soap
That post-dive shower hits different, but it shouldn't wash your ocean-friendly intentions down the drain. Opt for shampoos and body washes that are free of parabens, sulfates, and microplastics to keep harmful chemicals out of the water system. Apps like Think Dirty make it easy to check how clean (or not) your products really are. A great pick is Ethique, a brand that offers solid shampoo bars with no bottles and no nonsense.
6. Grateful Diver Long Sleeve UV Shirt
Cover up with one of our moisture-wicking, long-sleeve UV shirts. Designed for ocean lovers, our gear shields your skin from harsh rays while reducing the need for chemicals that end up in the water. With a variety of vibrant, ocean-inspired designs—including our Artist’s Collection—there’s a look for every style, whether you're diving, fishing, or just soaking up the sun.
Every small switch adds up when it comes to protecting the places we love to explore. Whether you’re diving deep or lounging shore-side, choosing eco-friendly essentials helps keep our oceans healthier for generations to come. Grateful Diver is proud to support Reef Relief, with a portion of every purchase going directly to their efforts to preserve and restore these vital ecosystems. See you on the water!