Screen printed bismuth oxide electrochemical sensing platforms are explored towards the electroanalytical determination of zinc(II). In acetate buffer solutions (pH 4.5) a linear range from 75 to 600 μg L−1 is possible with a detection limit of 33 μg L−1. The sensors were explored in seawater and found that reduction in the sensitivity by a factor of 1.5 is observed with a linear range of 100 to 350 μg L−1 and detection limit of 50 μg L−1 is possible. Tailoring of the deposition time to shorter durations allows mg L−1 levels of zinc(II) to be determined in seawater which is in accordance with monitoring levels set by the World Health Organisation and USA Environmental Protection Agency. The screen printed sensors preclude the need for electrode pretreatment and in situ or ex situ modification with bismuth metal and their disposable and economical nature make them attractive for in‐the‐field high throughput screening of zinc(II) in water samples.