I'm in the shuffles mosquito magnet category and have gotten mosquito bites every time I've been in San Pedro, no matter the time of year. All of the studies I've seen show that nothing is as effective as Deet. That said, I agree with Islenut that it smells horrible and it can really eat through plastic, not to mention completely ruin a manicure!! Additionally the manufacturer recommends you wash it off as soon as possible after coming inside and I wouldn't think it would be at all safe for the ocean environment. Skin so soft on its own is pretty much worthless according to the studies and my experience, but I hear Avon now makes it with some Picaridin mixed in - haven't tried that. Cutter Advanced with Picaridin has turned out to be the best compromise for me for mosquitos - it doesn't work for the sand fleas/noseeums. You have to reapply it more often than Deet (about every 2 hours) but it doesn't have the nasty side effects. It runs about $6 a bottle. I still use the Deet sheets at night when the bugs seem to be the worst for me.

I can never remember which is better . . . safe? . . . or sorry?