Wetsuit in March?

[Doc_Dave]

Good morning! I am planning a trip to Maui in late March. What type of wetsuit do you typically wear at that time? TIA!!!

 

[grantwiscour]

Visitors are often in a 3mm but the locals might be in a 5mm or even thicker. Water temp right now is @ 78 degrees...might go up another degree by then.

 

[Doc_Dave]

Thanks! Trying to figure out my packing!

 

[KauaiScuba]

If you tend to get cold easy, I'd highly suggest a 5mm. Usually by March temps get down to lower 70's. A hood goes a long way too.

 

[NorCalDM]

I switched to a 5mm for year around in the Hawaiian Islands now. The 5mm keeps my warm even on multiple dive days.

 

[shagles]

Tagging on to this to avoid a new thread. I'll be in Kona next week and have a 7mm full or a 3mm shorty and 3mm vest to chose from. In December I dove in 80°-82° water in Cozumel in just the shorty and was fine. What should I take to Kona?

 

[NorCalDM]

Tagging on to this to avoid a new thread. I'll be in Kona next week and have a 7mm full or a 3mm shorty and 3mm vest to chose from. In December I dove in 80°-82° water in Cozumel in just the shorty and was fine. What should I take to Kona?

I use a 5mm full suit. I just came back Saturday from the Big Island and the water temperature was 76 - 78F and dipped to 74 on a deeper dive. You will see dive guides in full 7-8mm with hoods right now.

 

[Moto Moto]

I will be on Kona in 2 weeks but live and dive on Oahu. Our temps on Oahu are 73 - 74 right now. I tend to run hot but the most I ever wear is a long sleeve 5mm jacket and a hood on a cool day.

 

[vastag]

I live on Kauai and have been diving this winter in a 3mm with a hood. But I usually only do one tank.

 

[cburdick1]

If it's of any help, our diving in February was in 74-76 degree water, so it will be a bit warmer in March. My wife gets cold easily and was a little chilly in her 5mm full. I don't mind being cold at all and was comfy in my 3/2 full.