Sun and Insect Protection and Where to Get Them

 

Here is a guide to staying safe and protected against insects, bugs, mosquitos, no-seeums, midges and the sun!

Clothing and personal gear to protect against the sun

1. Sun hat - This wide-brimmed sun hat gets great reviews, wide brim, covers the back of your neck - and it has a strap under the chin, which is vital, because otherwise one good breeze and it is gone.

2.  UPF30+ long-sleeve shirts, for sun protection. They say to bring 2. I think 2 would be enough. Both Costco and Sam's Club have these ultra-lightweight shirts for $10 - $20 in March - May. They DO sell out! The ones with a hoodie are recommended.

3. Polarized sunglasses with a strap - Since you might drop them overboard, you probably want cheap glasses, and a strap for them. This strap floats the glasses. One suggestion is to get polarized sunglasses at Zenni Optical. They have prescription if you need them, or non-prescription if you don't. They're really inexpensive, but decent.

4. Neck Gaiter (aka, a "Buff") - The point here is to protect your neck from the brutal sun.  Better than sunscreen.
   And believe me, the water and sand will reflect sun UP to your face, under your hat and burn you.
   So, you use either this or more sun screen on your neck. Also good against bug bites on the neck and face.
    

5. Sunscreen - Sea Base says, get biodegradable reef-safe* sunscreen, at least 45 SPF. other than that, It's your personal preference. * Sunscreens containing Oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene are prohibited.  Only mineral-base sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are permitted. 
   I've found that the mineral-based lotions like this reef-safe Blue Lizard Sport SPF 50 Lotion have really improved and last all day. They are what my dermatologist recommends. If space is an issue, Avon makes a combo sunscreen-bug repellant lotion.
   The Sea Base Ship store sells mineral sunscreen for $25 for 75ml/2.5 oz, but at that price, it's FAR better to bring your own (Sea Base is marking it up 400%).
   Blue Lizard  is available at both Wal-Mart and online for about $3.20/ounce which is 1/4 the cost of buying generic mineral reef-safe lotion at Sea Base, ... and online it sells for a substantial discount in a 2-pack (two 5 ounce tubes).
   In May 2026, Costco has a Blue Lizard 2 pack (a 5 oz tube and a 3 oz tube) for $19, which is $2.37 per ounce, plus tax.

6. Lip balm with reef-safe zinc oxide sunscreen - they say this is really necessary to protect your lips from the intense Caribbean sun!
   And since it is small and rolls easily... it will get dropped and roll off the boat. 
   Many past Sea Base participants recommend getting the
   Zip Stick Retractable Lip Balm Holder.
   It comes in a 5-pack so split it with others in the crew.
    

Insect protection and recovery from bites and burns

1. Clothing/gear for Mosquito and No-Seeum / midge protection: 
   The No-Seeums can be fierce, especially at twilight in marshy freshwater areas. Sooo, if you will camp in these areas or be on a boat near an island, it could be very problematic.
   Countless people report that Avon So-Soft skin lotion works as a no-seeum (but not mosquito) repellant, but their bites are SO miserable and lasting, I'm bring at least the Mosquito/NoSeeum Head Net which takes no luggage space and can be worn over any hat, to keep the netting off your face, such as when sleeping. The netting must be rated 1000holes/sq in. Standard mosquito netting has holes around 500-800 per square inch. No-see-um netting has 1000+ holes per inch and blocks the tiny biting midges that will penetrate standard mesh. If needed, your long sleeved sun shirt and pants, socks, gloves might work for the rest of the body. 
   If needed, your long sleeved sun shirt and pants, socks, gloves might work for the rest of the body. 
   1. Whole body (head, jacket, pants), Mosquito / No-See-Um Mesh suit, Super Light and Cool, or this one that ALSO includes hands and feet.
   2. Head: Ultra-Mesh Mosquito Head Net for Midges, No See-ums and Small Insects Head covering (goes over your hat). This is simple, inexpensive and effective against mosquitos, midges, no-seeums, horse flies, black flies, etc.
   3. Upper body: Fine mesh bug jacket
   4. Legs: Fine mesh bug pants
   5. Mesh mini-tents for sleeping:
      If you need the smallest, this mesh netting tent to put your sleeping mat inside, this netting which you hook to something ABOVE you, would work. It takes up almost no room at all and weighs next to nothing. It can fit in your pocket and weighs only 1 pound.
       There is also a 1-Person fine mesh sleeping tube tent which folds into a flat 2 ft wide disk, so it might be too big to carry on an airplane, but fine if driving.
   6. Hammock tents with no-seeum / mosquito mesh and a rain fly. These have advantages, getting you up off the ground! Works on the islands, not on a boat.
      Inexpensive but high ratings: Night Cat Camping Hammock Tent: Lightweight Portable 4 in 1 Hammock with Rain Tarp and Mosquito Net.
      Premier brand: Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping Hammock and Tent.
      
   
    

2. Lotions (no aerosols are allowed, pumps sprays are allowed on land)

   1. Avon So-Soft lotion - contains repellant for midges/no seeums. people rave about how effective it is against midgets at twilight.  They also say  with Picardin (i.e., Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard) works.

   2. Benadryl lotion is recommended for bug bites, also vinegar.

   3. Aloe Vera lotion - for sunburn and regular burns. You can get it in a box of 30 packets, so 1 per crew, or just give your scout 10 packets in a zip lock pag and he can carry on the plane in his bag.
      Or this  Gold Bond Healing Hydrating Body Lotion with Aloe is extremely popular and very highly rated.

   4. Hydrocortisone lotion for rashes, like in swim suits from sand and other irritants.
      

   5. Deet, also the "Repel brand, is good for mosquitos, less so for midges / no-seeums. No aerosols are allowed on BSA camping outings! Apparently, boat captains also want no sprays of any kind either, so I presume we'll have to transfer the Deet to a non-pump bottle, since it rarely comes in a no-spray option.
      
      

Sleeping gear

Most tents protect against bugs, but if it is very hot at night, you might consider these options if you are camping on land:

1. Mesh mini-tents for sleeping: 1-Person fine mesh sleeping tube tent

2.  If you need the smallest, this mesh netting to put your sleeping mat inside, this netting which you hook to something ABOVE you, would work. Shown in the photo.

Other

1. Rain poncho - If it's summertime in the Deep South, Florida keys, Gulf, Caribbean, Bahamas or Bermuda... then it's semi-tropical, so expect afternoon / evening thunderstorms. If you're in a swim suit and don't mind getting wet, skip this. People say raincoats are too hot, heavy and bulky and a light poncho is preferable.

2. Mini first aid kit with large bandages and tape, aloe vera lotion, hydrocortisone cream and a crew Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit: Every crew must provide their own first aid kit A Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit includes all items found in a traditional back country first aid kit.