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.
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.
88% Repreve® RPET (recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles), 12% 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 ship orders same or next business day. Free priority shipping on all U.S. orders over $150, free express international shipping over $300.
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
My daughter loves these!
This is the third pair of Waterlust shorts I have bought! Material is so comfortable, excellent for running in, and even better it contributes towards protecting our oceans 🥰
Made very well fits exactly as expected
Finally, swim shorts that look good and are tough and functional! I have been searching for swim shorts that are tight and had a hard time finding any, let alone ones with a matching top to make a swim outfit for me. Not only does Waterlust have that, but they have lots of options, and support all the types of ethics and environmental aspects of companies that I am constantly searching for and want to support when purchasing. They really care!
OK, let's talk about the shorts. The POCKETS, yes ladies, TWO POCKETS are deep and snuggly fit my cell phone, keys, etc, though I gotta remember to take that out when I get in the water. I am in love, the material is thick, so these shorts will last a while. Comfy to sit around the house in, or hike up to a lake/ocean/river for a dip. I did notice, for me at least, that I don't mind the form-fitting, but found that the Mighty size was a little too compressing for me, so I exchanged them for a Legendary size as I don't like super tight tights... I am 5'4" and 135 lbs, and my hips are 40" so fit in the size chart for Mighty, and after I chatted with Waterlust via email (very responsive!!) and they said the difference between the two sizes would not be so much, so I sized up to Legendary for a less compressing fit, but still tight shorts. Cannot wait to get another pair in a different pattern, and support another ocean conservation cause!
Finally, swim shorts that look good and are tough and functional! I have been searching for swim shorts that are tight and had a hard time finding any, let alone ones with a matching top to make a swim outfit for me. Not only does Waterlust have that, but they have lots of options, and support all the types of ethics and environmental aspects of companies that I am constantly searching for and want to support when purchasing. They really care!
OK, let's talk about the shorts. The POCKETS, yes ladies, TWO POCKETS are deep and snuggly fit my cell phone, keys, etc, though I gotta remember to take that out when I get in the water. I am in love, the material is thick, so these shorts will last a while. Comfy to sit around the house in, or hike up to a lake/ocean/river for a dip. I did notice, for me at least, that I don't mind the form-fitting, but found that the Mighty size was a little too compressing for me, so I exchanged them for a Legendary size as I don't like super tight tights... I am 5'4" and 135 lbs, and my hips are 40" so fit in the size chart for Mighty, and after I chatted with Waterlust via email (very responsive!!) and they said the difference between the two sizes would not be so much, so I sized up to Legendary for a less compressing fit, but still tight shorts. Cannot wait to get another pair in a different pattern, and support another ocean conservation cause!
Great shorts but a bit wide on the leg, they would ride up. (I don't have skinny thighs) I had to return and exchange for the longer shorts. Personally, I think the hem should be a little tighter on the leg. I still recommend it, they look amazing.
Purpose-Driven, Family-Run
Advocate for Marine Conservation
Donate to Research + Education
Eco-Responsible