3, 5, or 7mm in the Keys?

[Katch]

I'll be diving throughout the Keys during the last week of December. Will my 3mm (actually Edge 3/2mm) wetsuit be warm enough. I'm just open water certified, so I don't see any dives deeper than 60ft. I plan to dive Key Largo x2 days, Islamorada(night), Looe Key, and Key West.

I haven't made any dive shop reservations for Key Largo yet, so any advice would be most helpful. It looks like Benwood and Molasses would be a priority.

Thanks guys,

Steve

 

[crd_kats]

Depends on how many dives you're going to do a day. Depends on the Florida weather. The last two days were rough. Depends on how cold natured you are.

I dunno what your stats are (weight, height, etc.), but I'm a short, slender woman.. I'd go with a 5mm and hood.

Good luck and safe diving.

 

[Zaixon]

I have been diving a 3/2 with a 2 mil vest underneath and it seems to work out pretty good in water, keeps me warm anyways and I get cold easily. Just make sure u pack warm things to throw on on the surface cause it can get pretty chilly sometimes between dives and boat ride (depending on what your diving and what your surface interval might be)

 

[sportxlh]

temps will likely be in the low 70's. I wore 3MM full with a 2MM shorty under it last december and was comfortable enough with a hood for 4 dives in one day. I have since purchased a 7MM, which is what I'd wear if I were diving 4 dives a day over several days: but I get cold easily.

this thread has dive op suggestions:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...-advice-diving-keys-charter-hotels-sites.html

 

[lmorin]

I get cold easily. I wear a 5mm in the Keys in Jan. and have called dives after 45 min because of being too cold. Take the 7, if you have a choice.

 

[Jupiter31]

5 or 7 depending how cold you get, how chilly the water is and how long you are going to be in the water - also how cold the air temp is; today was very nice; earlier in the week it was cold, even in Key Largo - like in the 40's at night, and 60's during the day - which for us is frigid.

 

[Katch]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a 5mm Pinnacle Elastiprene from LP yesterday ($125), and having it delivered to my sister's place in Clearwater. I should get it by Christmas. If not, I'll wear the 3mm w shirt or rent a 5mm if too cold.

I reserved a dive with Rainbow Reef on Monday morning, the 27th. The free guide is a plus (and it's next to my Sunday night hotel-Courtyard). I also reserved a night dive at Holiday Isle (20% off the hotel special) the same day, and Innerspace for Wednesday. I haven't made reservations for Key West and I may do Rainbow Reef again the following Monday (they dive the Benwood in the afternoon).

 

[Busdiver]

Katch,

Are you diving with Innerspace off of Looe Key? I will be down there the same week. My wife will dive a 7mm the whole time. I will bring a 5mm. We both will be using skins underneath. The nice thing about being a little warm is you can dump water in to cool you if needed. It sucks being cold.

Bus

 

[jar546]

Just did some research on water temps in the Keys, asked some questions here and I have decided to dive dry but I am taking my 7mm too. If the air temp is low between dives I don't want to risk getting cold doing 4 dives per day.

I agree with the 7mm opinions.

 

[wilderydude83]

I dive key largo a lot. Theyre all similarly priced and all good. I also dive a three two and it sucks. Only do it if u have to. Five or seven is way better. Ur gonna love diving the keys!

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