What the people who run these places ask visitors to bring, and why, in their words. Item types, not products: no brand is named, and nothing here has been tested by us.
Places this kit covers (44)
- Anegada
- Barbuda
- The Bazaruto Archipelago
- Bora Bora
- The cenotes of the Yucatán
- Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)
- Côn Đảo
- Dominica
- The Dry Tortugas
- ‘Eua
- Fakarava
- Fernando de Noronha
- The Florida Keys
- Gocta Falls
- The Great Barrier Reef
- The Great Blue Hole
- Gunung Mulu
- Hang Sơn Đoòng
- Iguazú Falls
- Klein Curaçao
- Kuang Si Falls
- Little Cayman
- Living Root Bridges
- Loango
- Lord Howe Island
- Maya Bay
- Moorea
- Nan Madol
- Ofu
- The Osa Peninsula
- Pico Cão Grande
- Príncipe
- Raja Ampat
- Raleighvallen and Voltzberg
- Rock Islands
- Saba
- Savai’i
- St John
- Taputapuātea
- Taveuni
- Tobago Cays (Grenadines)
- Togo Chasm
- Tsingy de Bemaraha
- Vallée de Mai
What the places ask
Sun protection chosen with the reef in mind, and clothes that cover
NOAA says some chemical UV filters in sunscreen can harm aquatic life, including corals, and lists among them oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. It calls mineral sunscreen a better option, and suggests UV-protective clothing such as sun shirts and trousers and shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Most swimming cenotes in the Yucatán do not allow sunscreen or lotion before entry and provide a rinse shower.
Asked for by: NOAA National Ocean Service, Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs (last updated 23 September 2026).
Borrow, rent or ask first: A long-sleeved swim shirt you already own is on NOAA’s list too. Check the rules where you swim: some places set their own.
Read 20 October 2026. From our entry on The cenotes of the Yucatán, which names its source.
A full-body lycra suit in stinger season
The Queensland Government says marine stinger season runs November to May, and asks swimmers to consider a full-body lycra suit, to swim in stinger nets where they are provided, and to swim at patrolled beaches between the red-and-yellow flags.
Asked for by: Queensland Government, Dangerous marine life (last updated 2 October 2019).
Borrow, rent or ask first: Ask your reef boat whether it provides stinger suits before you buy one.
Read 20 October 2026.
Insect repellent
The Park Service asks visitors to the National Park of American Samoa to bring insect repellent. The CDC publishes guidance on preventing mosquito bites, including which repellents it means.
Asked for by: National Park Service, American Samoa: Know Before You Go (last updated 30 September 2025); CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (dated 28 August 2024; a pointer only).
Borrow, rent or ask first: Nothing to rent here.
Read 20 October 2026.
Sturdy shoes and light, comfortable clothing
In American Samoa the Park Service recommends light, comfortable clothing and sturdy hiking shoes, because the park is tropical, hot and humid, and says to check the forecast because conditions can change quickly.
Asked for by: National Park Service, American Samoa: Know Before You Go.
Borrow, rent or ask first: Shoes you have already walked in will do.
Read 20 October 2026.
Your own snorkel gear where rental is uncertain
In American Samoa the Park Service asks snorkellers to bring their own gear, as rental equipment may not always be available.
Asked for by: National Park Service, American Samoa: Know Before You Go.
Borrow, rent or ask first: Elsewhere, ask the boat or dive shop what it lends before you pack a bag of fins.
Read 20 October 2026.
Plenty of water
“Bring sun protection, insect repellent, and plenty of water,” the Park Service says for American Samoa.
Asked for by: National Park Service, American Samoa: Know Before You Go.
Borrow, rent or ask first: A refillable bottle you already own.
Read 20 October 2026.
Being a good visitor here
- Touch no coral and no marine life, as the Park Service asks in American Samoa, and touch or stand on nothing on the Great Barrier Reef, as our entry says. From our entry on The Great Barrier Reef, which names its source.
- In Samoan villages, ask permission before taking photographs, using the beach or doing anything else; Sunday is a day for rest, church and quiet, and swimming may not be allowed on Sunday, the Park Service says. Do not eat or drink while walking through a village.
- In Palau, every visitor signs the Palau Pledge on arrival, stamped into their passport, and the Rock Islands need a Koror State permit. From our entry on Rock Islands, which names its source.
Sources are named in each item, with the date we read them; a few come from our own place entries, which carry their sources. Rules and seasons change; the place’s own entry and the authority’s page have the latest.