2 min read · Updated 1 July 2026
On the water the sun and glare are fierce — so sailors cover up. Sunlight reflects off the sea to hit you from below as well as above, there's little shade, and the cooling breeze masks how much sun you're getting. In Australia's strong sun especially, good sun protection is essential, and the most reliable approach is to cover up with fabric and use sunscreen for the gaps.
Why it matters more on the water
UV exposure sailing is far more intense than on land:
- Sunlight reflects off the water, adding to the direct sun.
- There's little or no shade.
- The breeze masks the heat, so it's easy to burn badly without noticing.
Over a day this causes sunburn and fatigue; over years, it raises the risk of skin damage.
Cover up first
The most effective protection is clothing, not sunscreen:
- A long-sleeved rash top or UPF sailing top, and light trousers or leggings, shield the skin reliably — and keep working when wet.
- A wide-brimmed or legionnaire-style hat with a retainer strap so it doesn't blow off.
- Polarised sunglasses to protect the eyes and cut glare.
Rash vests deserve a mention: close-fitting synthetic tops, many UPF-rated, that cover the torso and arms with quick-drying, sun-blocking fabric — comfortable in the heat and far easier than repeatedly sunscreening large areas.
Sunscreen for the gaps
Use reef-safe, water-resistant sunscreen on the skin clothing doesn't cover — face, ears, neck and hands — and reapply regularly, because water, sweat and time wear it away, even the water-resistant kind. Sunscreen is the complement to covering up, not a substitute for it. A lip balm with UV protection helps too.
Part of the kit
Sun protection sits alongside the rest of the personal sailing kit — the layers, the gloves, the sunglasses — as one of the things that turns a long, exposed day on the water from punishing into comfortable. The Australian mantra applies at sea as much as the beach: cover up, hat on, slap on sunscreen. For the vocabulary, see the sailing terms glossary.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is sun protection so important when sailing?
- Because the sun's ultraviolet exposure on the water is far more intense than on land: sunlight reflects off the water to hit you from below as well as above, there is little shade, and the cooling breeze masks how much sun you are getting, so it is easy to burn badly without noticing. Over a day this causes sunburn and fatigue, and over years it raises the risk of skin damage. In Australia's strong sun especially, sun protection is essential rather than optional.
- What should you wear to protect from the sun sailing?
- Cover up with UPF-rated clothing — a long-sleeved rash top or sailing top and light trousers or leggings shield the skin far more reliably than sunscreen alone. Add a wide-brimmed or legionnaire-style hat with a retainer strap so it does not blow off, polarised sunglasses to protect the eyes and cut glare, and reef-safe, water-resistant sunscreen on any exposed skin, reapplied regularly. Covering up with fabric is the most effective protection, with sunscreen filling the gaps.
- What is a rash vest and why do sailors wear them?
- A rash vest, or rash top, is a close-fitting synthetic top originally made to prevent chafing rashes but widely worn for sun protection, as many are UPF-rated to block ultraviolet light. Sailors wear them because they cover the torso and arms with quick-drying, sun-blocking fabric that works even when wet, are comfortable in the heat, and remove the need to keep reapplying sunscreen to large areas. Long-sleeved versions give the best coverage.
- Why do sailors wear polarised sunglasses?
- Polarised sunglasses cut the harsh glare that reflects off the water, reducing eye strain and fatigue and letting sailors see more comfortably and read the water better. Because glare off the sea is intense and tiring, and protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light matters for long-term eye health, good polarised sunglasses — ideally with a retainer strap so they are not lost overboard — are a standard part of a sailor's sun protection, covered in more detail in our guide to sailing sunglasses.
- Does sunscreen wash off when sailing?
- Yes — sunscreen is worn away by water, sweat and time, so even water-resistant sunscreen must be reapplied regularly through the day, especially after getting wet. This is one reason sailors rely on covering up with clothing as the primary protection and use sunscreen for the areas clothing does not cover, such as the face, ears, neck and hands. Choosing a water-resistant, reef-safe sunscreen and reapplying it often keeps the exposed skin protected.