Best water resistant sun protection?

[otolith]

Rather than hijacking the other thread

We cocked up last year by buying a very large bottle of high factor sun protection and then, because we knew there was a risk of the hold luggage not making the same seaplane transfer as us, packing it in the hand luggage.

We spent an absolute bleeding fortune on small bottles of relatively low factor cream from the hotel shop (and as there was nothing on the island but the hotel, it was a bit pricey...)

So, this year, bit better prepared. I intend buying plenty online and packing it correctly so we don't have to dump it at the airport this time. We're going to be in the Maldives for two weeks and spending a lot of time in the water. Looking for, ideally:

• spray application
• good water resistance
• good general durability
• not too greasy
• range of factors available

and

• somewhere good to buy online

Any suggestions?

Also considering buying a rash guard like this:

http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk/shop/wetsuit...

I don't really like snorkeling with a t-shirt on, are these more comfortable?

[stuttgartmetal]

bergasol oil.

[Ozone]

The OH says this is good http://www.p20.co.uk/

[otolith]

Interesting, thanks chaps. The P20 is designed to be used once a day, so that looks promising. 40ml each per day for 14 days is 6 200ml bottles, which is around £95 at the best prices I can find - which is still a fair chunk less than paying $20 a day in the hotel shop!

[The Tea Boy]

Another vote for p20 very easy to use, works well and rubs in nicely and doesnt smell gash like some others!

[Composite Guru]

P20 here. I've been using it for years and could never understand why people keep buying these st creams that they have to keep applying every 5 minutes.

Stick it on in the morning and it stays all day.

[otolith]

OK, that looks like the stuff to buy. Anywhere cheaper than this:

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/riemann_v_751.html

?

[shirt]

i live in the middle east and use either piz buin 'in sun' or ambre solaire sprays. both quick drying and waterproof. never seen why p20 is so pricey now there are so many other sprays available.

[otolith]

I think it was the Ambre Solair we bought last year on site - we went through it at a frightening rate! If this stuff really only needs one application of 30-40ml once a day then we should be fine.

I've ordered the stuff now, will have to hope for the best!

Anyone any thoughts on the rash vests for snorkeling?

[Art0ir]

P20..

[rogerthefish]

no flies on me, P20

[LuS1fer]

P20 here too.
Buying in 3's makes it £16.66 a bottle at Chemist Direct but these do it for £15.95 with free delivery
http://www.fragrancemad.com/search?quant%5B2977%5D...

The supermarkets occasionally do promos on this stuff. I've seen it for £10 at Sainsburys and £12 at Asda in the past and I generally pay round £14 from ebay or the like...just a question of keeping your eyes peeled for offers.

[JCW]

otolith said:

I think it was the Ambre Solair we bought last year on site - we went through it at a frightening rate! If this stuff really only needs one application of 30-40ml once a day then we should be fine.

I've ordered the stuff now, will have to hope for the best!

Anyone any thoughts on the rash vests for snorkeling?

I wouldn't worry about it. There's no sun at the Coco Palm anyway.

[otolith]

JCW said:

I wouldn't worry about it. There's no sun at the Coco Palm anyway.

Have been keeping an eye on the weather reports, a fair bit of rain going on at the moment, but there's still a few weeks to go yet. We got pretty frazzled in October last year, a bit earlier in the month, so keeping fingers crossed.

[JCW]

I was joking, you'll get plenty of sun but I can only recommend Soltan, Boots' own label.

Take your runners to beat my record, 41 minutes for 5.29km round the island. Was the first time I managed 5km in my defence and gets a giggle from the staff at breakfast.

[otolith]

Ah, running is my wife's vice, I cry off because my knees won't take it! She was going to do her first half marathon the weekend before we fly out, but she picked up an injury and as a result hasn't increased her regular mileage enough to do it. I think she's going to do the 5 mile event instead. I was a bit nervous about her doing the half marathon so close to the holiday...

What route did you take to get to 5km though, was that doing laps of the beach or going round all the little paths inland?

[JCW]

Circular route round the main path as you can't walk round the beaches due to erosion, so if you want to go round the island you have to swalk (TM) which is swimming/walking in the era.

[otolith]

I can't remember if it was possible to get all the way round dry-footed last year - it definitely got a bit dodgy round the start of the causeway to the water villas, but we used to walk up to the point where the boat is then snorkel back round until it got too shallow/rough.

[Bonefish Blues]

I've never been let down by Dermatone - bombproof stuff which protects me in full sun in the tropics all day with constant water exposure whilst wade fishing.

May be overkill for what you want, but really really good stuff.

http://www.dermatone.co.uk/products.html

[Ozone]

I am told the 200ml bottles of P20 are £15 at Costco.