How to Avoid Sunburn on Your Tropical Vacation

A sunburn for one can ruin a trip for everyone! A sun-brella can help you avoid sunburn no matter how pale you are - it's full-spectrum sun protection with attitude.

Woman holding a tropical fabric-covered umbrella.

The Need for Sun Protection

When Mr. B and I started planning our recent Hawaiian vacation, sun protection was at the top of my list, and I knew a simple sunscreen wasn't going to cut it. Knowing that I would be spending an inordinate amount of time in direct sunlight, I needed something that went above and beyond.

As a life-long Portlander, umbrellas for the rain are usually a hard no, but blocking the sun? That's a whole different box of kittens. That's not a job for an umbrella - that's a job for a parasol!*

Of course - I needed a parasol! However, when I started looking for one, all I could find were lacy, Goth-inspired (or better yet, Hello Kitty) umbrellas, or drab "UV-protectant sunshades." Blech. I wanted something age-appropriate, functional, and pretty.

So I went in search of the perfect sun umbrella.

*From the French parasol: para- (“to shield”) +‎ sol (“sun”).

Me, in front of the USS Missouri, holding a tropical umbrella in the sun. — _{The sun was relentless as we toured the USS Missouri, but I had shade wherever I went!}

I found my original sun-brella at a Honolulu-based company called Umbrellas Hawaii, which has unfortunately gone out of business. However, from that purchase, I learned what I needed to know so that I can replace it whenever needed.

I honestly believe my modern-day parasol saved our vacation.

Hawaii was very hot and humid the entire ten days of our trip, and without my self-propelled shade, no amount of sunscreen would have saved me from being burnt to a crisp.

Even if you are like Mr. B and have never had a real sunburn, have you ever had to endure a trip with someone who is badly sunburnt? Does the term "cranky" ring a bell? A sunburn for one can ruin a trip for everyone.

Tips for Choosing a Sun-brella

A good sun-brella will have UPF certified fabrics that block 95%-97% of UV radiation.
The seams should be tight and smooth.
Look for fiberglass rods for light weight and optimal strength.
Test the open/close mechanism. On the day we visited to Pearl Harbor, I must a have opened and closed my sunbrella fifty times in one day. My sunbrella opens and closes so smoothly that it's easier than opening my purse. I never once had a problem or pinched a finger.
The little pieces at the ends of the struts should be covered and rounded. You don't want to have to worry about poking anyone's eye out with them.
The umbrella should be light enough to comfortably carry for long spaces of time.
The handle itself should be comfortable to hold and easy to grip.
It should have good, durable water repellency. I mean, it is an umbrella, right?

_{View from on top of Diamond Head, from under my sun-brella.}

I took my sun-brella everywhere, with the obvious exceptions of snorkeling and kayaking. Needless to say, it is now a permanent fixture on my vacation packing list. (I keep one in my car at all times, too!)

I wish I could fully explain how grateful I was when we returned home from our trip not suffering from post-vacation sunburn and all that goes along with it.

Finally - an umbrella I can use!

Me, halfway up Diamond Head, holding a tropical fabric-covered umbrella to shield the sun.

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