Key Largo- 3mm or 5mm wetsuit? Which dive shop to go through? Best beginner dives?

[Torontonian]

What, you don't believe the half dozen post from the area within the last week stating 68-72*????? Will your word be final????

68 on the reef today. As long as the wind stays out of the north, expect colder air and water temps (but calmer seas).

well i live in key largo and work at a local dive shop i can tell you the water is about 77 78 right now i just got back from a morning trip to the speigel grove and let me tell you what a view we had about 100 plus feet of viz it was amazing there was very little current it was just right and as for the wetsuit i can tell you i used a 3 mm today and was very comfy the water should warm up between now and then in april and as for the check out dives you can do them at captain slates atlantis dive center we always have a instructor there and they are always top notch about the skills and everything i have dove with other companys in the past but by far captain slates is one of the best

Hmm, that's quite a difference. Mostly 68-72, then to 77-78?!

I remember diving in Crystal River and Rainbow River in Aug. The air was warm, and the water was supposedly 72, due to the constant flow of spring water. A 3mm full wetsuit was needed, even for snorkelers. I'm coming to dive Mar. 12-13. Will you guys in Key Largo please make sure to warm up the water by the time I come.

Torontonian - Would you keep us posted on your trip when you return !?! Wifey and I are heading down in may and wondering similar things 3mil suits etc. Love to hear who you go with and your feedback sounds like so may outfits to choose from and never enough time. cat

Will do. In May it should be much warmer. At least in mid-March, there'll be 5 bodies from my family in the water losing heat, to warm up the water for you.:cool2:

 

[ScubaInChicago]

well i live in key largo and work at a local dive shop i can tell you the water is about 77 78 right now i just got back from a morning trip to the speigel grove and let me tell you what a view we had about 100 plus feet of viz it was amazing there was very little current it was just right and as for the wetsuit i can tell you i used a 3 mm today and was very comfy the water should warm up between now and then in april and as for the check out dives you can do them at captain slates atlantis dive center we always have a instructor there and they are always top notch about the skills and everything i have dove with other companys in the past but by far captain slates is one of the best

Maybe I should sign on as my sock puppet and write an asinine comment or two.....lay off the pipe dude.....

 

[StreetDoctor]

Maybe I should sign on as my sock puppet and write an asinine comment or two.....lay off the pipe dude.....

Yep, dude sounds like he's smoking something. Water was 69 on the spiegel past about 85-90' and vis was about 30'-40' on two different days top to bottom. No reason not to dive it just wear at least a 5 mil

 

[suzette]

well i live in key largo and work at a local dive shop i can tell you the water is about 77 78 right now i just got back from a morning trip to the speigel grove and let me tell you what a view we had about 100 plus feet of viz it was amazing there was very little current it was just right and as for the wetsuit i can tell you i used a 3 mm today and was very comfy the water should warm up between now and then in april and as for the check out dives you can do them at captain slates atlantis dive center we always have a instructor there and they are always top notch about the skills and everything i have dove with other companys in the past but by far captain slates is one of the best

As others have said, that is just plain incorrect. It it not 77,78 on the Speigel Grove no matter which dive shop you use.
A 3 mil is unlikely to keep you "very comfy" unless you're used to diving in fairly cold water. Most of my divers right now are wearing a 3 mil full wetsuit with a 3 mil shorty over it or a farmer john, some are using hoods as well. It depends on your own tolerance to cold, but that's what we're seeing right now. Hopefully things will warm up soon and we can get back to light skins/bathing suits down here.

 

[lmorin]

Temps haven't been above 72 at Molasses during the last 5 days NDBC - 5-day plot - Water Temperature at MLRF1

 

[Skyball]

My name is Sky Fabel, I am the office manager of Capt.Slate's Atlantis Dive Center. I went on a night dive 2 nights ago and I only wore a 3mm shorty. The water is warmer than the air, I was comfortable in the water but the air was extremly cold! Safe Diving to all!

 

[StreetDoctor]

Apparently they're trying to say the water is warmer if you dive with capt. slate's LOL

 

[ScubaInChicago]

That's a pretty good marketing strategy if all you have to rent is 3mm wetsuits, LOL....

 

[scubaskipper]

5mm with 3mm hooded vest, this was my year around outfit when I worked down there and in the Bahamas. At depth everything will compress, if you're too hot you can always flush. Only down side was the weight issues. Steel tanks are great!

 

[ScubaInChicago]

5mm with 3mm hooded vest, this was my year around outfit when I worked down there and in the Bahamas. At depth everything will compress, if you're too hot you can always flush. Only down side was the weight issues. Steel tanks are great!

I perfer HP steel 130's in a wetsuit with the trifecta of splitfins to round things out....

(I might be swayed if PM'd to show pictures (not of me......not looking to DIE anytime soon)