Carlisle Bay Antigua

An interesting week indeed. Mom, Dad, and I are beginning to experience some of the joys of cruising like stunning anchorages, daily swims, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more. I’m keeping it interesting by constantly trying to poison myself. I’ve tried salt water in copious amounts, a lick of what looked like antifreeze (who needs antifreeze in the Caribbean?), and raisins. Mom and Dad now have pet poison control on speed dial. They tried to make me throw up with hydrogen peroxide, but my iron stomach has proven no match for any of these toxins. If I were a cat, they would say I’ve used at least 3 of my 9 lives.

Speaking of toxins, while we have enjoyed some breathtaking scenery above the water, we have seen firsthand the impacts of harmful products like chemical sunscreens on reef life. Many of the reefs we see appear monochromatic and unwell. Mom is now on a mission to ensure we keep all non-reef-safe products off the boat and out of our home. The importance of using reef-safe mineral-based sunscreens is amplified when you see the underwater environments looking sickly.

The reality is that people need skin protection, and sunscreen is a common method for protection. The Oceanic Society has helpful information on what chemicals to avoid and recommendations for sunscreen that protects humans and the reefs. We are going to try out sunscreen from Raw Elements that is non-nano, and reef-friendly in a bio-plastic tube. If you know of a better product or have other recommendations, message my Mom and Dad here.