3 mil full vs shorty in Key Largo?

[wfmiller]

I am heading down to KL tomorrow and wondering to pack either my 3 mil shorty or full? I understand the water temps around 83 or so?

Thanks

 

[mike_s]

I've been down in June and seen people diving with no wetsuit, to vests/skins, to shorties, to 3mm and to 5mm. just depends on your temp tolerance.

I'd say a full suit 5mm is definately overkill.

your 3mm shorty should be find unless you get chilled easily. then bring your full if you think you might need it. (but I doubt you will).


water temp at the NOAA Molasses Reef monitoring station is about 83f 'right now'.
see NDBC - Station MLRF1

 

[wfmiller]

Thanks, I don't own a 5mm full but a 3mm full and shorty. If I take the 3 short then I might save some weight in the luggage !!! hahaha

 

[Capt Gary]

Right now our divers are in 3mil shorties and 2mil full suits. Today the water was 84 and I was diving in a 2 mil full which was quite comfortable.

Good Diving,

 

[mike_s]

Thanks, I don't own a 5mm full but a 3mm full and shorty. If I take the 3 short then I might save some weight in the luggage !!! hahaha

I did a liveaboard last year in the keys this time of year and most dive dove either my 2/3mm shorty or my 2mm vest. In the mornings I tended to dive my 3mm full, but that was becauase we were hitting the deeper wrecks and I also was bone cold due to the A/C catching up during the night and freezing my ass off. (meaning I was still cold when I got in the water).

If I head down for day boat trips in June/July, I don't even bother taking a full suit. just the shorty and/or the vest.

 

[Going The Distance]

Might want to consider the full to protect against abrassions, and poss. sea lice. Personally I couldnt stand a full anything down there.

 

[jenlaur]

I dove 2 weeks ago in West Palm in a 3mm shorty and was fine. And I get cold easily. Water temp was 82.

 

[Capt Gary]

Might want to consider the full to protect against abrassions, and poss. sea lice. Personally I couldnt stand a full anything down there.

Good advise. Sea lice are just bothersome, but any protection that could keep them at bay would be nice. Recommendation: 2 mil full, w/gloves. Full is good sometimes, but less is always better.
:hai:
Good Diving,

 

[stangd1909]

I hate diving in wet suits, so when ever I get the chance to leave it home I am happy! If the water is in the mid 80's....thats perfect for no wet suit diving!

 

[recoiljunky]

I dove in a 3 mil shorty there, May 6th, 2007. I hate full length wetsuits. I wasn't the slightest bit cold.