Australians are finally falling in love with shade on beach. And whether you love them or loathe them, Cool Cabanas, beach tents and beach umbrellas are at least helping to reduce sun exposure. And when we are experiencing higher than ever UV levels and growing incidence of skin cancer in Australia, less exposure is needed!
But many people are surprised to discover that you can still get sunburnt while sitting in the shade — even under a beach cabana.
Understanding how shade works and where its limits are will help you enjoy the outdoors while better protecting your skin for the long term.
Why did I get sunburnt under my Cool Cabana?
Beach shelters, cabanas, beach umbrellas and tents provide shade from direct sunlight, but they do not block all UV radiation. UV rays can still reach your skin from the sides and below due to atmospheric scattering, as well as reflection off sand and water, and even passing through the fabric.
This applies to all types of shade, including shade from trees, buildings, umbrellas, hats, and cabanas.
This is why SunSmart advice always recommends using shade in combination with sunscreen, protective clothing and hats — not as a stand-alone form of sun protection.
In the case of CoolCabanas specifically, while it’s excellent that the fabric is UPF 50+ rated and tested for both UVA and UVB, this rating means that about 98% of UV radiation that directly hits the fabric is blocked from passing through it. It does not mean that all UV exposure is eliminated. UV can still reach your skin from reflected and scattered rays, especially at the beach where sand and water significantly increase UV exposure.
The takeaway: UPF 50+ shade is a valuable sun-safety tool, but don't be led to believe that any beach shelter provides “consistent” all day protection on its own.
Shade works best as part of a layered approach
In Australia’s high-UV conditions, no single form of sun protection is enough on its own.
SunSmart advice promotes a layered approach:
- Seek shade
- Apply broad spectrum Sunscreen
- Wear sun-protective clothing, IceRays arm and hand covers
- Wear a broad brimmed hat
- Wear wrap around sunglasses
Used together, these significantly reduce UV exposure — especially during long periods outdoors or when shade is incomplete or sporadic, as it often is at beaches, sporting grounds, markets, and events.
The limits of fixed shade at beaches and outdoors
Fixed or semi-fixed shade like CoolCabanas and tents works well when you stay still and the sun angle doesn’t change much. But in real life:
- The sun moves throughout the day
- People move in and out of shade
- Reflected UV increases around water and sand
- Shade coverage often doesn’t extend to hands, arms, or legs
This is why many Australians still experience sunburn despite “doing the right thing” and sitting in the shade.
How a personal Umbrella can help
Portable, UV-blocking shade can make a meaningful difference — particularly for incidental sun exposure.
High-quality, certified UV-blocking umbrellas, such as Blunt UV Umbrellas, are designed to:
- Block a high percentage of UV radiation
- Provide shade that moves with you
- Reduce reliance on sunscreen alone
- Create a cooler zone for you under the shade (Blunt UV umbrellas have two layers of fabric in the canopy to create the shade)
Of course, don't forget that the UV rays can still get to you in shade, so layer your other protections too.
Ideas for when you could use a UV umbrella in Australia
While Cool Cabanas are brilliant for beach days, many of our sun exposure moments happen away from the beach.
A personal UV-blocking umbrella is particularly useful for:
- Being a tourist or sightseeing outdoors
- Teachers on playground duty or sports duty
- Spectators at junior sport and sports carnivals
- Walking around farmers markets and outdoor events
- Waiting at school pick-up or public transport
- Outdoor cafés and dining
- Dog walking and short errands
- Poolside lounging
- Long outdoor queues or appointments
- Everyday commuting and walking
- Walking along the beach
These are classic examples of incidental sun exposure — short, unremarkable moments that add up over time. Learn more about the risks of incidental sun exposure and how to prevent skin damage.
Sunscreen and skin exposed day after day
Some people are increasingly conscious of how often they apply sunscreen, particularly on areas like the hands, arms, and face that are exposed every day.
Using physical shade and barriers — such as umbrellas, hats, clothing, and sunglasses — can help reduce overall sunscreen use, minimise the need for constant reapplication, and protect skin that is repeatedly exposed to UV radiation.
Cool Cabanas and beach shelters are an important part of sun protection in Australia — but they’re not a complete solution on their own.
In a high-UV environment, effective sun protection works best when shade is combined with sunscreen, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and portable UV-blocking options that move with you.
FAQs
What is the difference between SPF and UPF?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is for sunscreen. An SPF 50 sunscreen applied properly and thoroughly theoretically allows you to stay in the sun 50 times longer than bare skin before burning.
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is for fabrics and materials. It measures the percentage of UV-A and UV-B radiation blocked by the fabric itself.
