What is the best swimsuit color to wear in the ocean?

Drowning deaths in the U.S. have risen after decades of decline. According to the CDC Newsroom, more than 4,500 people died from drowning each year from 2020 to 2022, which is about 500 more annual deaths than in 2019.

The swimsuit color you select for ocean swimming is more about safety than style. In vast blue waters, some colors help you stand out while others disappear from view underwater. We’ll walk you through the best and worst colors for ocean swimming as well as other open-water safety tips you can use.

Quick links:

Why swimsuit color matters for ocean safety

Best colors for underwater visibility

Worst colors for ocean swimming

More tips for children's water safety

Tips for better aquatic safety

Explore SwimZip's neon collection today. We offer sunsuits, rash guards, euro swim shorts, and other styles that keep your family safe and fashionable during beach and ocean adventures.

Why swimsuit color matters for ocean safety

Visibility is a primary aspect of ocean safety. The right swimsuit color stands out in the water, alerts lifeguards to your location, and adds crucial seconds in emergencies. This simple choice impacts how quickly others spot you or your child in ocean conditions. We’ll go in-depth on this topic, but here are some quick tips you can use when shopping for swimwear: 

• Neon colors remain visible under challenging ocean conditions.

• The ocean absorbs red colors first, erasing them at 15 feet depth.

• Children in high-visibility suits receive attention 3x faster.

• Lifeguards scan for bright colors when monitoring swimmers.

• Dark patterns blend into ocean shadows and depths.

• Bright yellows and greens contrast against blue water in emergencies.

Best colors for underwater visibility

The physics of water and light determine which swimsuit colors remain visible underwater. Let’s explore the options that will help you be seen.

Neon yellow

The human eye naturally detects yellow wavelengths first, and the neon brightness amplifies this effect. When you swim in ocean water, neon yellow maintains its visibility down to 50 feet because of how it interacts with ambient light. 

Blue water creates a perfect backdrop for yellow, resulting in a stark visual contrast that lifeguards and rescuers can spot from significant distances. Even as water conditions change throughout the day, neon yellow outperforms other colors in visibility tests.

For ultimate visibility, check out our Neon Yellow Rash Guard. Its vibrant yellow color will keep your kids visible and provide full-body sun protection.

Bright orange

Orange wavelengths penetrate water and maintain vibrancy at depths where other colors fade to gray. Coast Guard and water rescue teams prefer orange for emergency equipment because of its visibility in most ocean conditions.

For maximum visibility on cloudy days, try the Neon Orange Ruffle One-Piece Swimsuit. The vibrant orange color keeps your girl visible while the playful shark design adds a fun touch.

Fluorescent and lime green

Lime and fluorescent green provide outstanding underwater visibility through a unique optical advantage. The human eye contains more receptors for green light than any other color, which explains why green appears brighter even in challenging visibility. 

Ocean water naturally filters light in ways that diminish most colors, but fluorescent green resists this effect. The color remains distinguishable at depths where standard colors blur into a blue-green background. This visibility extends across different times of day and various water clarity conditions.

Keep your child safe and stylish with our Neon Green Rash Guard. The bright green pattern provides high visibility and full UPF 50+ sun protection.

Neon pink

Neon pink creates an immediate visual impact in ocean environments. This bright color produces a strong contrast effect against the natural blue-green spectrum of ocean water. 

The distinctive wavelength of neon pink cuts through visual interference caused by surface reflections and wave action, factors that frequently obscure swimmers from shore observers. This visibility remains during peak sun hours when glare affects water surface visibility.

Make your little girl visible and UV-safe with a Neon Pink Long-Sleeved Rash Guard. The bright pink base color provides high visibility while the floral pattern adds style.

White

White delivers reliable underwater visibility through its exceptional reflective properties. Unlike pigmented colors that resist light absorption, white works by reflecting available light to observers. Reflection creates a brightness that contrasts with deeper water tones. 

White maintains its visibility in varying light conditions, particularly during early morning or late afternoon hours when angled light penetrates water differently. The contrast between white and ocean blue registers quickly to human vision.

Your little one will be protected from harmful UV rays and visible during water activities in our White Long Sleeve Rash Guard. 

 

 

Worst colors for ocean swimming

Some swimsuit colors blend into the underwater environment, so swimmers are harder to spot. If you’re trying to stand out or keep your kids visible in the water, here are some colors you should avoid.

Dark blue

Navy and deep blue swimsuits vanish underwater almost immediately. These colors absorb light instead of reflecting it to observers. Even in perfect visibility, dark blue swimwear fades into the ocean background within seconds of submersion.

Black

Black swimwear disappears underwater for the same reasons as dark blue but with greater effect. This color absorbs nearly all light that hits it and creates a minimal reflective signature for spotters. Black swimwear is least visible in the early morning, evening, or during overcast conditions.

Dark greens

Greens, especially darker shades, disappear in many ocean environments. These colors blend with algae-rich water or areas with underwater vegetation. This swimsuit color mimics the natural coloration of the environment.

Gray

Gray lacks contrast against many ocean backgrounds. This neutral color becomes especially hard to see in overcast conditions or deep water. Water safety experts identify gray as among the hardest colors to track through water.

Earth tones

Brownish and tan swimwear colors fade quickly underwater. These tones blend with sediment in sandy or silty environments and reduce visibility in beach areas.

Earth tones present additional problems near shorelines where water contains suspended particles.

Camouflage patterns

Camouflage designs serve their intended purpose too well in water. These patterns break up the human silhouette and create visual confusion for observers. The combination of colors in camouflage swimwear works against visibility principles, especially in natural environments.

Tips for better aquatic safety beyond swimsuit color

High-visibility swimwear adds an important safety layer, but complete water safety requires additional practices. Follow these guidelines to protect your family in any aquatic environment:

• Maintain adult supervision: Keep eyes on children at all times near water. Put away phones and minimize distractions that pull your attention from swimmers.

• Size matters: Children are smaller visual targets in water than adults. Their reduced surface area makes high-visibility colors more important.

• Pattern size: Large, bold patterns remain visible at greater distances than small, intricate designs.

• Reflective elements: Swimwear with reflective strips or accents catches and bounces light, increasing visibility in low-light conditions.

• Water clarity: Clear water provides better visibility of all colors, while murky conditions or cloudy water reduces overall visibility regardless of swimsuit color. Avoid letting children swim in murky water on overcast days.

• Teach swim skills early: Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons that build water confidence and basic survival techniques.

• Use proper flotation devices: Select Coast Guard-approved life jackets for young or inexperienced swimmers, especially in open water situations.

• Establish clear water rules: Create and enforce boundaries about where, when, and how children can enter the water. 

• Learn CPR and rescue basics: Every parent should know CPR and simple water rescue techniques. This knowledge saves precious minutes in emergency situations.

• Implement the buddy system: Nobody swims alone, pair children with swimming partners even in supervised areas for extra safety.

• Recognize real drowning signs: Drowning rarely looks like dramatic splashing. Learn the quiet, subtle signs of water distress that indicate trouble.

• Check water conditions first: Assess currents, underwater hazards, and depth before anyone enters unfamiliar water. Ocean conditions change daily.

• Create family water meeting points: Establish bright, visible landmarks where family members regroup if separated at beaches or water parks.

• Check for professional water watcher tags: At group gatherings, rotate a designated "water watcher" role with a physical tag for continuous supervision.

Note: Parental supervision is always the best lifesaving water safety practice. Keep your kids close to you!

Why choose SwimZip high-visibility swimwear?

SwimZip's neon swimsuit collection offers more than amazing water visibility. Our sun-protective beach apparel, made with UPF 50+ material, shields you from 98% of dangerous UVA and UVB rays.

Every family member finds their perfect fit in our bright safety colors. The vibrant shades that catch lifeguards' attention also look great on the beach. We offer many other flattering choices, check out our new collections to find the right cut for you and your family.

SwmZip gives you visibility and protection in one stylish package. Enjoy your ocean days with confidence.

 

 

Swimsuit color for ocean FAQ

Is hi-vis swimwear visible in all bodies of water?

Hi-vis swimwear is highly visible in most bodies of water, including pools, lakes, and the ocean. But, factors such as water clarity, depth, and lighting conditions can impact visibility. In deep or murky water, bright neon colors may not be as easily seen, but they still offer better visibility than darker colors.

Which bathing suit colors should I have in my beach attire?

For stylish beach attire, include classic black for its slimming effect, vibrant turquoise to complement the ocean backdrop, coral for a tropical vibe, navy for timeless elegance, and white for a clean summer look. 

For beach safety, choose neon yellow, bright orange, fluorescent green, neon pink, or bright-colored swimsuits. These colors remain visible underwater and stand out against ocean blue. 

Is there a difference in visibility between chlorinated pools and natural bodies of water?

Visibility differs significantly between pools and natural bodies of water. Chlorinated pools typically have consistent lighting and water clarity, while oceans, lakes, and rivers contain varying levels of sediment, algae, and organic matter that affect color visibility. 

How does water temperature affect swimsuit color visibility? 

Water temperature doesn't directly affect visibility, but cold water swimmers stay closer to shore. Quick visibility becomes more critical as hypothermia risk increases in colder environments.

Can swimsuit patterns improve visibility or do they reduce it? 

Large, bold patterns with contrasting colors improve visibility at a distance. Small, intricate patterns blend underwater. Choose swimsuits with solid neon blocks for maximum safety.

Do different age groups face different safety risks based on swimsuit color?

Age groups face different swimsuit color safety risks. Young children need maximum visibility colors because their small size makes them harder to spot. Teens prioritize style and choose darker colors that increase danger. Solo adult swimmers require high-visibility colors for emergency detection.

What are the safest colors for a swimming pool?

For pool swimming, choose light colors, such as neon yellow, bright orange, and fluorescent pink, as they offer maximum visibility. These colors contrast sharply against light pool surfaces and water. White shows up well in darker pool environments. Avoid dark colors that blend with pool water and reduce visibility during emergencies.

Further reading

How can I find a modest tween swimsuit?

The best kids' sun safety tips

What are polarized sunglasses?

How long after a tattoo can you swim?

What does tanning oil do?

What is UPF clothing?

Resources

Drowning Deaths Rise in the United States. (2024, May 14). CDC Newsroom. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0514-vs-drowning.html