diving without a wet suit

[Wicko1]

I did at least 30 dives last year in Roatan ( I was living in Honduras--back to Chicago now ) and dove only in board shorts and a dive skin shirt. I'm planning a trip to Cozumel in late Feb. and am wondering if I can do the same.

It was so great to dive without the suit. The water can't be all THAT much colder than Roatan, can it? Anybody have experience diving without the wet suit in Cozumel at this time of year?

We're thinking of Aldora...

Thnx,

Wicko

 

[annlaur]

It all boils down to personal preference and resistance to cold. Last year in February, most people I saw diving in Cozumel wore 3 mil shorties or full suits. I personaly used a 5 mm full suit and a 1 mm tee shirt underneath and was cold at times. I did see a couple of guys in board shorts only, though…

The water is around 78 - 82 Farenheit. However, it is easy to get chilled on the dive boat because of the wind.

Another good reason to wear full length exposure is to be protected, especially from hydroid stings. Shouldn't be an issue if you don't touch the reef / anything, but I did get stung on the hand and ankle once at the surface by some cut pieces of hydroid that were floating.

 

[DiverG]

My friend is down there now, and says her computer is reading 77 degrees water temperature.

 

[cicopo]

I've been there in Feb several times, plus once in Dec & will be there tomorrow for a 2 week stay. So far I haven't needed a wetsuit, but as always I'll bring a 2 piece 3 mil, especially since it's been colder than usual lately (the air) so we'll see if I wimp out or not. Please note where I'm from & know that Coz right now is pretty close to what summer is here at home.

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

I dove without a wetsuit, just a Lycra skin, last month (late December), when the water was about 78F (I brought my 3 mil but didn't wear it after the first day). Most other people, save one DM, were wearing considerably more. I was never cold underwater, but I did find myself chilled on a couple of surface intervals. Once I started keeping a bigger shirt or towel handy for the boat ride, I was fine.

 

[geokr]

My dives last week were logged at 77-78 degrees on my computer, colder than my December dives which were 80-81. Doesn't sound like a lot of difference in temp but both me and the very experienced DM talked about getting a little cold on the second dives and we had 3 mils on. A 3 mil is a good idea and some kind of wind breaker would really help keep the chill off when moving the boat. You'll probably be using steel 120's if you go with Aldora so more time underwater = more time to get cold. I'd recommend you'd bring it and if you don't think you need a wet suit after the first day just leave it at the hotel.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I was there last week and seen 76 on my computer a few times usually 78 though. I wore a full 3 instead of my shorty. Winds were a little cool.

 

[firstdive2005]

I just bought a dive parka for the ride in the boat after diving. I have a waist length line golf jacket down there that I have been using for a long time. But I dove with Aldora on the east side that last time again and was once again spoiled with the parka. So I liked it so much I bought the company.

 

[judydivescoz]

I just bought a dive parka for the ride in the boat after diving. I have a waist length line golf jacket down there that I have been using for a long time. But I dove with Aldora on the east side that last time again and was once again spoiled with the parka. So I liked it so much I bought the company.

My dive parka was the best gear purchase I made 2 years ago...makes the boat ride so much better in the winter.

 

[jimmyj]

Well I am somewhat of a hefty fella! I never dive a suit of any sort, except trunks and shirt, or no shirt.

I am generaly good for 79* at 1 hour dives. I really can't say I have ever been cold down in coz except for last november, and that was on the wet windy boat rides. Underwater I am fine.

Guess I could have used a dive parka!!