Best Rash Guards for Snorkeling: A Snorkeler’s Review 

If you don’t feel like reading through this detailed review, here’s the TL;DR version of my top 3 snorkeling rash guards!

→   Best BUDGET Rash Guard: Women’s Hurley

→   Best OVERALL Rash Guard: Women’s Coolibar and Men’s Coolibar

→   Best LONG SNORKEL Rash Guard: Women’s Tuga and Men’s Tuga

If you are not sure what makes a “good” rash guard, then be sure to read my blog post below!

→   How to Pick a Rash Gard: 5 Expert Tips

Why I Love the Hurley Rash Guard

I’ve tried my fair share of “surfer” rash guards from brands like O’Neill and Roxy, and most of them just didn’t cut it.

Either they were uncomfortably tight, or I felt like the neckline was trying to strangle me.

Take the Aexsea sun shirt, for example. I tried it once, and the neck felt so restrictive that I couldn’t wait to peel it off.

Don’t get me wrong, you do want your rash guard to be fitted.

Too tight, and you’ll feel restricted.

Too loose, and you’ll drag through the water like a sea anchor. The key is finding that “just right” fit. Snug enough to stay put but comfortable enough that you forget you’re wearing it.

Hurley’s a California-based surf brand that’s been around since 1999, and they know how to make quality water gear. Love their sun shirts!

What Makes Hurley Stand Out

✅     UPF 50+ Protection: Non-negotiable for keeping your skin safe. This should be your top priority when choosing a rash guard.

✅     Quick-Dry Fabric: Nobody wants to sit around feeling like a soggy sponge. This shirt dries fast, so you’re ready to hit the water again the next day.

✅     Fun Colors: Because sun protection doesn’t have to be boring. I loved this rash guard so much that I bought it in turquoise, emerald, and melon. Bonus: they mix and match easily with my swim leggings and board shorts.

I wore this rash guard while snorkeling in Nusa Penida with mantas (Indonesia) and all over French Polynesia, including Moorea’s 5 best snorkeling sites.

My Hurley sun shirt kept me comfortable, protected, and burn-free the entire time. Exactly what I want in a snorkeling shirt.

Why I Love the Coolibar Rash Guard

This sun shirt has been my go-to for years, and for good reason. If you ask your dermatologist for sun protection recommendations, chances are they’ll mention Coolibar—and for good reason.

Coolibar was the first sun-protective clothing brand to earn The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.

Their fabrics go through serious testing, where they simulate real-life conditions like pool water, ocean exposure, and even sweat to ensure their sun protection actually holds up.

My husband is also a big Coolibar fan. He practically lives in his Coolibar hooded rash guard when we snorkel, especially on longer outings (seen in the photo below).

Once he puts his mask over the hood, it stays right in place!

The hood offers extra coverage for his face and neck, which was a lifesaver during our sea scooter snorkeling tour in Moorea (see the photo below).

For most of our snorkeling adventures, my Coolibar rash guard is my first choice.

But if we’re bouncing between multiple snorkel sites in a day, I switch things up and grab my Tuga rash guard, which I’ll cover next.

What Makes Coolibar Stand Out

✅     Built-In UPF 50+ Protection: The UPF 50+ rating is built into the fabric, so no matter how many times you wash it, the sun protection won’t fade.

✅     Gripper Elastic Hem: This handy feature helps keep the shirt from creeping up while snorkeling. It’s not 100% foolproof, so I still apply my favorite reef-safe sunscreen on my lower back just in case. But it definitely helps.

✅     Aqua Classic Fabric: This lightweight polyester fabric is breathable, plus resistant to both chlorine and saltwater. It’s surprisingly comfortable and doesn’t leave me feeling hot and sticky like some of those shiny, skin-tight surf rash guards.

✅     Quick-Drying: Nobody wants to sit around in wet clothes. Thankfully, this rash guard dries quickly so you’re not stuck feeling soggy.

✅     Flattering Fit: While sun protection is my top priority, I still want my snorkeling gear to look good. The vertical seams give the Hightide a nice tapered waistline, so it doesn’t feel boxy or shapeless.

✅     Bright, Fun Colors: Coolibar’s bold color options are another win. I have this rash guard in pink, Baja blue, and tropical mint, and I love mixing and matching with my swim leggings and board shorts.

✅     Flatlock Seams: This thoughtful design detail makes the shirt extra comfortable. No weird rubbing or irritation.

If you’re after a rash guard that’s protective, comfortable, and stylish, the Coolibar Hightide rash guard is hard to beat.

Why I Love the Tuga Rash Guard

While I usually rely on my Coolibar rash guard for most snorkeling sessions, my Tuga rash guard is my top choice when I know I’ll be spending snorkeling multiple sites in a daylike the 14 snorkel spots we explored in Bonaire or the 11 sites in St. John or the 4 snorkel spots we explored on our snorkeling tour in the Seychelles.

When reapplying sunscreen isn’t practical, Tuga’s extra coverage makes all the difference.

I actually own two Tuga rash guards, each with its own perks:

Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a photo of my Tuga hooded rash guard (oops!).

But trust me, it’s fantastic for extra coverage.

The hood tucks neatly over your snorkel mask, giving you added protection for your head and neck. Great for those longer snorkeling sessions when the sun’s relentless.

It also has thumbhole cuffs to help protect the backs of your hands.

My Tuga rash guard without a hood is pictured above in Paisley/Navy.

Compared to other rash guards, Tuga’s neckline sits higher (without feeling tight), and the back of the shirt is longer. This means less chance of it riding up and leaving your lower back exposed.

It’s a thoughtful design that makes a big difference during those marathon snorkel days.

What Makes the Tuga Stand Out

✅     UPF 50+ Protection: This rash guard blocks 98% of UV rays, giving you solid protection from the sun.

✅      Fitted Hood: The hooded version offers superior coverage for your head and neck. Perfect for long snorkeling sessions when you want maximum protection.

✅      Thumbhole Cuffs: I love this little detail! It keeps the sleeves in place and shields the backs of your hands from sun exposure.

✅     Quick-Drying Nylon Fabric: The synthetic material dries fast and provides excellent sun protection.

✅      Flatlock Seams: These make the shirt more comfortable by preventing chafing, especially helpful during longer snorkels.

✅     Flattering Fit: The tapered side seams give the Tuga rash guard a more streamlined look, so you don’t feel like you’re swimming in a boxy shirt.

✅     Fun Colors: Tuga offers some bold, playful colors. I have the hooded shirt in Royal/Hawaii and the rash guard without a hood in Navy/Paisley. Both pair easily with my swim leggings and board shorts.

If you’re planning a day packed with snorkeling or just want extra sun protection without constantly reapplying sunscreen, the Tuga Rash Guard is a solid choice.

Do You Really Need Snorkel Gloves?

→   My Pick: Bassdash Gloves (many fun colors, I have them in Blue Storm)

Yep, there’s even sun-protective gear for your hands!

While snorkel gloves aren’t exactly a common must-have, I’ve found them incredibly helpful, especially on long snorkeling trips.

Now, what I’m about to recommend isn’t technically designed for snorkeling, but hear me out: fingerless fishing gloves are fantastic for keeping your hands protected in the water.

On a recent two-week snorkeling trip to French Polynesia, my husband and I were in the water every single day.

Despite slathering on generous amounts of my favorite reef-safe sunscreen, my hands still ended up getting way too much sun. Lesson learned!

Why Fingerless Fishing Gloves Work So Well

Even though these gloves are made for fishermen, they’re surprisingly perfect for snorkeling.

The fingerless design gives me full dexterity to adjust my mask, handle my snorkel gear, or snap underwater photos with my favorite underwater camera.

Meanwhile, the fabric shields the backs of your hands from harsh sun exposure, which is something sunscreen alone doesn’t always manage during long snorkel sessions.

Now, I never snorkel without them when I know I’ll be spending extra hours in the water.

They’re lightweight, breathable, and easy to pack. A simple but smart way to avoid those sneaky sunburns on your hands.

Alternatively, you could wear a hooded sun shirt with thumbhole cuffs to solve this problem.

I love snorkeling.

To enjoy all those underwater adventures, proper sun protective clothing is imperative.

The meticulously crafted features of Coolibar and Tuga sun protective clothing are tailored with a snorkeler’s requirements in mind, making them my top choices on the market!

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