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Universal Orlando Resort: Where to Stay & Play for a Few Days

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My recent stay at Universal Orlando Resort was so much fun and I’m going to share and highlight my favorite moments with you. First and foremost, I stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort on the property which allowed me early access (one hour) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. It was my first time experiencing Diagon Alley™. I took advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida and was able to … [Read More...]

Life & Style

Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Strike a pose at Pose Selfie Studio

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Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

Food

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How I Avoided Sunburn During A Week Of Swimming In The Virgin Islands

I arrived in the Virgin Islands expecting beautiful water, warm sand, and long afternoons in the pool. What I underestimated was how quickly a relaxed swim could turn into hours in strong tropical sun. Between boat trips, beach stops, snorkelling and resort pools, there were plenty of opportunities to lose track of time.

My skin is used to sunny days in Australia, including bright summers in Brisbane and beach visits around Sydney. Even so, Caribbean sunlight felt intense, especially when it reflected from the sea. I treated sun protection as part of the holiday routine rather than something I would remember only after my shoulders started to sting.

The most useful change was accepting that sunscreen alone was not enough. I combined a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ lotion with rash vests, a wide-brimmed hat, shade breaks and sensible timing. That approach made it possible to swim every day without spending the evening applying after-sun cream.

This was also a reminder of habits I have picked up at home. Australians are familiar with slip, slop, slap, seek and slide, but travelling can disrupt even familiar routines. I had to make sun safety automatic, particularly when changing between a hotel pool, a beach and a boat.

The First Swim Changed My Schedule

On the first morning, I applied sunscreen before leaving the room and felt prepared. I swam, sat beside the water, walked along the beach and took plenty of photos. By lunchtime, I noticed the tops of my feet and the backs of my shoulders were warmer than expected. I was not burned, but I could see how easily it might happen.

After that, I stopped treating the middle of the day as prime swimming time. I went into the water earlier, took a longer lunch break indoors or under cover, and returned for another swim later in the afternoon. The water was still warm, and I did not feel that I was missing out.

This rhythm would be familiar to anyone who has spent summer in Perth or Adelaide, where the brightest part of the day can be deceptively harsh. In the Virgin Islands, the breeze made the heat feel manageable, but it did not reduce the ultraviolet exposure.

The Sunscreen Routine That Held Up

I used a water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen and applied it generously before putting on my swimwear. Giving it time to settle helped prevent missed areas around straps and seams. I paid particular attention to my ears, hairline, neck, shoulders, knees, tops of the feet and the backs of my hands.

I reapplied after swimming, towelling off or sweating heavily, even when the product claimed to be water-resistant. Water resistance is not the same as waterproof protection. Rubbing against a towel and spending time in salt water both reduce the layer on the skin.

For Australian travellers, this is easy to organise before departure. I found comparable products at Chemist Warehouse and supermarket pharmacies at home, including familiar Cancer Council options. I packed one large bottle for the room and a smaller tube for my beach bag, rather than relying on finding the right formula after landing.

I also kept a lip balm with SPF in the same pouch. Lips are easy to forget, and the combination of wind, salt and sun made them feel dry even when the rest of my skin was comfortable.

Shade Was Part Of The Plan

I began choosing shade as deliberately as I chose a swimming spot. At the resort, I looked for umbrellas and covered loungers before unpacking. At beaches, I positioned my towel where I could step out of direct sunlight without walking a long distance across hot sand.

Shade did not replace sunscreen, but it reduced the amount of time I spent exposed. A lightweight long-sleeved swim top made an especially noticeable difference during snorkelling. It covered my back and shoulders while leaving my arms comfortable in the water.

I learned the value of planning quiet, cooler pauses on previous trips too. When organising a busy day at a theme park, I use the same idea of building in calmer spaces, such as these quiet Magic Kingdom corners. The principle works at a beach: a break from constant activity makes it easier to notice heat, thirst and early redness.

A hat also became part of my swimming gear. I chose a secure, broad-brimmed style for walks and wore a cap when I was in the water. Baseball caps protected less of my neck, so I did not rely on one as my only defence.

What Went Into My Water Bag

Packing the same essentials every day removed the guesswork. I kept the bag ready in the room, with wet items separated from dry clothing. That meant I could reapply sunscreen without searching through luggage or leaving a bottle in direct sun for hours.

My small routine included:

I avoided leaving sunscreen on a hot car seat or in direct sunlight beside the pool. I also checked the bottle occasionally for changes in texture or smell, especially after several days in humid conditions.

A refillable water bottle was just as important as the sunscreen. Swimming made me feel cooler than I really was, and I often did not notice how much I had sweated until I left the water. Drinking regularly helped me recognise when I needed a break rather than another swim.

Reading My Skin Before It Burned

I checked my skin whenever I changed clothes or returned to the room. Redness is harder to notice when skin is wet, and a quick mirror check caught warm patches before they developed into a burn. I looked closely at my shoulders, upper chest, back of my legs and feet.

If an area felt unusually hot, tight or tender, I covered it and stayed out of direct sun. I did not wait for obvious peeling or pain before adjusting my plans. A shorter swim was much more appealing than losing the next day to uncomfortable skin.

The local conditions made these checks worthwhile. Bright skies were not the only warning sign; cloud and wind could make the sun feel less powerful than it was. Australia’s UV Index is something I have learned to notice through weather apps and daily forecasts, and I used the same mindset in the Virgin Islands instead of judging exposure by temperature alone.

I also avoided assuming that a tan meant my skin was protected. Any colour change was a sign of sun exposure, not evidence that I could skip reapplication. That distinction helped me stay consistent throughout the week.

The Habits That Kept The Week Comfortable

The final part of the routine was making protection convenient. I applied sunscreen while getting dressed, before I became distracted by breakfast or the view. I stored the hat near my room key and placed the swim shirt on top of my beach clothes.

These small reminders were useful because holiday days rarely follow a neat schedule. A spontaneous boat ride could become an extended afternoon, and a quick visit to a beach could turn into hours of swimming. I wanted protection to travel with me rather than depend on returning to the room at a particular time.

Before heading out, I checked:

By the end of the trip, the process felt natural. I could enjoy the clear water, warm pools and beach walks without constantly thinking about sunburn. The combination of SPF 50+, protective clothing, shade and timing worked better than any single product.

That is the approach I would use again, whether spending a week in the Virgin Islands or planning a summer swimming day closer to home in Melbourne, Cairns or the Gold Coast. The goal was never to avoid the sun entirely. It was to enjoy the water while giving my skin enough protection to keep enjoying the trip tomorrow.