It was an experience all right. I don't think I'd do it again, but now I truly know what a full beach looks like. :-P (Well, the beach itself wasn't too full to have fun in -- I don't regret it -- but the transit was something else.)

On the sunscreen, I'm wondering if the chemical sunscreens are more effective than the mineral ones. I've been avoiding the chemical ones for several reasons, most recently because some of them have active ingredients that kill coral, but after this experience I think I need to do some more research. :-/