Hey, we're Waterlust
We're in business to build a more sustainable world by bringing environmental science into your life in creative ways.
Educational resources & donation included with every purchase. Learn more.
Our sun shirts allow you to spend hours outside in the sun without overheating or cooking your largest organ in UV radiation. Lightweight, airy, stylish, and fun, sun protection as rad as you!
Characteristic spots and stripes adorn the largest fish in the sea forming an intricate pattern, like a warrior painted for battle. Scientists use these distinctive markings to identify individual whale sharks. Like a fingerprint, each is as unique and special as the last.
Made from recycled materials and knitted into an ultra fine, lightweight fabric, think of it as the working persons stretchy silk. So silky smooth and cool to the touch, your skin literally gets goosebumps when you put it on, but stays shielded from the sun all day on the water. You can stand in an asphalt parking lot on a hot, humid, sunny day in Miami in July at noon and still feel cool. Yep, our test team tested it…reluctantly.
91% Repreve® RPET (recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles), 9% spandex
10% of profits from the sales of this product will be donated to The Marine Megafauna Foundation, a non-profit focused on the research and conservation of threatened marine megafauna, particularly sharks and rays.
Orders are lovingly packaged using eco-responsible materials and shipped from our HQ in Miami, FL within the same or next business day. We’ll email you with your tracking info as soon as your order is shipped.
Learn more about shipping, exchanges and returns here.
Tag us @waterlust to be featured
We lovingly prepare each one of our orders for its journey to you using the best packaging materials we can find with the least environmental impact.
Free within the U.S. International orders must pay return postage. Exchanges orders can be placed immediately with an instant credit.
We stand behind every product we make. If you have a problem, we will solve it with the relentless determination of a salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are fish, not whales - allowing them to hold the esteemed title of "largest fish in the sea" (since sharks are fish too!). These charismatic creatures can reach lengths of 12 meters (40 feet) or more! Despite their large size, they feed on some of the smallest organisms in the sea, plankton. Hanging vertically in the water column they're able to suction feed and filter these tiny organisms through their gill rakers much like a giant vacuum cleaner pulls dust and dirt from a kitchen floor, filtering the fragments into its chamber within.
Unfortunately, approximately 100 million sharks are killed every year by humans, through direct targeted fishing efforts as well as unintended bycatch from other fisheries. The whale shark is one species of shark that is particularly vulnerable to this commercial fishing due to their high value in international trade, in addition to their highly migratory nature and normally low abundance. Research into the lives of these gentle giants can help us to manage their populations and keep these magnificent fish in the ocean where they belong.
The Marine Megafauna Foundation is helping to shed light on the population structure, migratory patterns, and the conservation requirements of these threatened sharks. Created in 2009, they aim to research, protect and conserve the large populations of marine megafauna (large marine species) found along the Mozambican coastline. Almost all whale sharks encountered by divers are juveniles and most are males. Where the school-bus-sized mature sharks swim, what they eat, and where the females give birth has long been a mystery, however their team is now very close to making these discoveries. 10% of profits from your purchase will go to the Marine Megafauna Foundation for satellite tags that are needed to track the movements of these large female whale sharks.
“Waterlust's support provides critical seed funding for us to rapidly develop and implement whale shark conservation projects in areas where this globally-endangered species is most at risk. This includes Mozambique, where our research and awareness work helped the government decide to fully protect whale sharks just a few weeks ago. We love working with a company that is so committed to making a positive change in the world.”
Dr. Simon Pierce, Co-Founder / Principal Scientist
the Marine Megafauna Foundation
WOMEN'S Whale Shark Warrior Sun Shirt
I have had this shirt saved on my wish list for several months due to the look and, most importantly, because of the way the company gives back to the environment. This sun shirt was worth the wait. Not only does it look phenomenal it also feels AMAZING!
I love everything about this shirt -- the material, the fit, the thumb holes and hood, the gorgeous pattern, and the mission of the company. I got one for my sister so we could match together : )
I love Waterlust and what it stands for. I LIVE in my whale shark leggings — diving, hiking, jumping into a river, you can do anything and never chafe. I'm hoping the same for this sun shirt and I have a wonderful dive suit for warm water. Very cool. Wish it had shorter sleeves and the hood a way to secure it, as it will balloon up while diving.
The shirt is so soft. I can’t wait to wear it in the ocean!
Beautiful colors really nice fabric! I think they run a bit small. They may be made to be tight, but I prefer a looser fit so I exchanged. Super easy process! What a great company. Will definitely be ordering from them again!
Purpose-Driven, Family-Run
Advocate for Marine Conservation
Donate to Research + Education
Eco-Responsible