Advice on Wetsuit for Curacao

[alam555]

Hello,
so after 3 yrs and some 3 dives, I am finally giving in and am looking to buy a wetsuit. Offcourse, with my luck, the airlines also just decreased the weight allowance, but anyways.

So here is the question:
Brand?
Hyperstretch?
3mm

thank you

 

[Mothball]

I'm a cold body, but I did fine in Bonaire in a polypro last year (late March) I think the water temp was 79-82 degrees F at that time. I did some longer dives and was never uncomfortable. Semper Fi Dave

 

[victor]

2 or 3 dive skins + lost of swim suits. I have been to Bonaire a number of times and as long as you don't have to put on a wet swim suit or dive skin then you won't get cold. 3 mm is overkill unless you are a local.

 

[ManTeeRay]

We were in Bonaire last October and a skin was plenty. Even for my wife who is always cold. Water temps were 81 to 84 degrees F.

 

[herman]

I have dove Bonaire and Curacao a number of times in most every season and I never use more than a fleece lined skin. On the other hand a buddy of mine uses a full 5mm and a hood. It really depends on you. If you are only getting one, a 3mm might be a good overall choice. You can always rent a shortie on Curacao if you need to.

 

[Damselfish]

I've never used more than a skin in Bonaire or Curacao. It's personal but I think 3mm would be overkill for many people, unless you live there or in a pretty warm climate.

 

[CompuDude]

Based on the above advice, I would say use a full skin or get a 3mm shorty, depending on how cold you get and how worried you are about sunburn.

Hyperstretch wetsuits tend to be the most comfy, and considering cold is barely a blip on the radar here, the usual complaints about compression and depth causing more rapid heat loss than others won't really matter.

 

[aboalreem]

hyperstrech arfe very comfortable, but not as worm as the normal wet suits

 

[CHUD]

I went to Curacao in March with a cheapo 3mm shorty and it was fine.

 

[ronrosa]

Warmth is a personal matter. I'd rather be too warm than too cold.

My tolerance to cold has lessened as I have gotten more experienced. I think it is a combination of longer bottom times and being more relaxed.

Feeling cold can build up. For me, in 80 degree Caribbean water, 2 dives a day, 60+ minute bottom times, I can start off without a suit or just a skin no problem. By the 3rd day I am cold.

You can always unzip your wetsuit a little to let water in if you are too warm. What ya gonna do if you are too cold ?

3mm is the typical suggestion for multiple day dives in the Caribbean.