thermal protection for O'ahu in Dec?

[Mike Boswell]

I grew up there and dived all over the island for many years. We wore nothing but swim shorts, and that was fine for two or three dives a day. I would urge you to at least give no-suit diving a try. You may find, as I do, that the fantastic sensation of freedom far outweighs any minor, temporary chill.

 

[friscuba]

Height, weight, gender and basic cold tolerance would be helpful to know. If you're a 230 lb guy, a 3 mil will likely be plenty. If you're a 5'5" 125 lb woman, you may want a 5 mil with a hood or even a hooded vest under the 5 mil suit, that 7 mil may be appealing if the temp drops 4 degrees between now and then.

It's 79 degrees off Kona right now and I've got petite women passengers wearing 5 mil suits gettting cold at about the 60 minute mark.

 

[cbm32]

I dove Kauai in Nov of 09 in a swimsuit and rash guard....no problems at all.

 

[DiveMaven]

We dive Maui every winter and both my husband and I wear 5mm Merino lined suits. We dive at least 2 tanks per day for 2 weeks straight, so core temperature really takes a hit. Water temperatures last year were colder than they've been in a long time with it being 73-74 degrees. If you use 75 degrees as your guide, you'll know what you need based on your own cold tolerance.

 

[Crush]

We dive Maui every winter and both my husband and I wear 5mm Merino lined suits. We dive at least 2 tanks per day for 2 weeks straight, so core temperature really takes a hit. Water temperatures last year were colder than they've been in a long time with it being 73-74 degrees. If you use 75 degrees as your guide, you'll know what you need based on your own cold tolerance.

Thanks, DiveMaven,

Given your locale the fact that you and your husband wear 5mm suits in HI is helpful to put this in context. Did you wear hoods?

I plan to dive 2-3 x per day for five days, then take a week off, then knock off a few more dives. I am leaning towards the 3 mm x 2 piece simply because I don't want to deal with the amount of lead that I need to sink in my 7mm x 2 pc suit.

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

I agree with the 3mm posts. That's plenty. I wouldn't risk the TLS. That suit is for Canada (It was my first DUI - Loved it. Now I dive with a CF 200 - Excellent). The 7MM is going to be too hot, and you should have some protection all over, so, IMHO, run with the 3. Less to pack, and weights are just easier to manage when you pick up your tanks in HI. You may not even need weights, if you can rent steel tanks. I dive double 85's with no weight in a 4/3. You could easily pull that off with a steel 100 and no weight. Have a great time.

Safe diving to you.

 

[L_A_S]

3 mil will be plenty. I dive a shorty during the day and a 3/2 fullsuit at night. (similar to you I'm used to chilly temps, from NC).

this site may help you find and decide on some shore diving spots. ShoreDiving.com - Your Scuba Shore Diving and Snorkeling Web Community!

on Sunday swells were 10-12 ft north shore, so it's already undiveable.

 

[corybaby]

Well then, its unanimous! a 3mm full suit(maybe a 2mm vest underneath, if your chest gets cold)
should be perfect! wearing booties also helps

 

[ffhamm]

A shorty or no wetsuit at all is fine for me when I visit, my wife likes a 3/2 full wetsuit.

Jeff