Advice for Cozumel, Mexico Diving?

[mikecotrone]

I was wondering if those out there that have had experience diving in Cozumel used a skin suit or a thin wet suit? I am going Nov 15 on a cruise and I am lining up 4 dives while at port. I am bringing most of my gear since the thought or relying on used gear kind of makes me nervous (BC, 1st/2nd stage, mask, fins).

Thanks

 

[diver 85]

I was wondering if those out there that have had experience diving in Cozumel used a skin suit or a thin wet suit? I am going Nov 15 on a cruise and I am lining up 4 dives while at port. I am bringing most of my gear since the thought or relying on used gear kind of makes me nervous (BC, 1st/2nd stage, mask, fins).

Thanks

In my trips there, I have never used anything more than a pr of skins under a 2mm shortie &/or 2 mm vested hood......Have dived there June, October, November, March & April.......

EDIT:..lugged my 3 mm to Fiji 2 weeks ago for nothing---ie never used it, water temps ran 79 & 80 degrees(that's possibly the coldest it'll be there then), did 3 dives a day for 6 days of diving......Guess my 'blubber' helped a little, lol......

 

[halocline]

Four dives in a day at that time of year for me would mean a 3 mil full suit. Everyone's different, though. In the summer, when water temps are in the low 80s and the air is warmer, I use a skin or shorty, but I'm usually doing two, sometimes three dives a day.

Four hours underwater is a lot of body heat loss for one day, even in 80F water.

 

[TSandM]

I used a 3 mil suit, and I was okay in the water, but shivered violently on the boat once the wind hit me. But I'm not a real good metric, because I get cold easily.

On the other hand, we had a member of our party whose dive gear was lost for two days by the airline. He dove in a pair of swim trunks, but he got cold.

 

[mikecotrone]

I used a 3 mil suit, and I was okay in the water, but shivered violently on the boat once the wind hit me. But I'm not a real good metric, because I get cold easily.

On the other hand, we had a member of our party whose dive gear was lost for two days by the airline. He dove in a pair of swim trunks, but he got cold.

I am a pretty warm when others i am diving with are cold. I was at 53 degrees (i wasnt cold) last weekend at 55 feet in our quarry with a hood, gloves, and a 5 mm wet suit. I would think a 3 mm would be good then?

Thanks again for all of your replies.

 

[Aigtbootbp]

I wear a 3/2 full suit and find it quite comfy for a long day of diving.
For a single dive, just a pair of shorts would do.

 

[Garrobo]

I use a 2mm shorty when diving south Florida, the Keys and Coz. Probably don't need it in 80 degree plus water but I dive with a backplate and horsecollar a lot of times and it keeps me from getting rubbed up from the harness.

 

[Louie]

Tolerance to cold will depend greatly from individual to individual so it's best to find out what the actual water temp will be and dress accordingly.

When I was diving in Cozumel (water was around 25 C). I wore a 3mm full suit on my first day and was so cold that I went out and got myself a hood that evening. There were those on the boat who were fine and warm in their shorties and lycra skins.

You can get cold between dives if you're on a windy boat. Take a windbreaker and wear it on top of your suit. It helps a great deal.

 

[Airleron]

It does vary from person to person. I always wear a 3 mil jumpsuit year round in South Fl.

We just returned from Coz 2 weeks ago, water temps were 83 everyday. Half of our group wore swim trunks and t-shirts, some full wetsuits and others skins. Whatever makes you comfy. However, I suggest wearing a wetsuit when diving the C-53, since there is a chance you'll get barnacled or reef rash if you accidentally rub against the hull.

 

[BTravlin]

Sounds like a 3 mil would be perfect for you. I'm surprised that you'll be able to get in 4 dives in Coz from a cruise ship though.