Average Water temps / Exposure protection?

[Harley1962]

Sorry for being such a "Cayman newbie" but with all the collective wisdom here I will be sure to get great responses!

I am going to the Caymans next month (to work) and want to know if there is much variation in water temps (over the next 6-8 months, for example)...what is the "average" if you could estimate?

I have been working in 29-32C (around 85 F) waters in SE Asia for many months and am using a 3mm (either full or shorty), but considering that I will be making 2-4 dives per day, I am guessing that I'd want more exposure protection in the Caymans...?

Would a full 5mm be "too much"--for a guy that has very little body fat, would that be about right? I know it seems like wearing a 3mm in 86F water is "overkill" but believe me, after 3 dives/day for several days, you DO need it! Believe it or not, I wore a 1mm skin when I first got out here ("tough Americans" like me don't need a 3mm for 85F, right!!?), but eventually the 3mm was the "right" choice--especially when you encounter thermoclines, or go deeper, etc...

So, based on the above premise--would the 5mm be the "correct" choice (for me) for daily diving in the Caymans??

What about hoods, and gloves? DO most divers in Caymans use them or not?
Again, I use full-foot fins here in Asia (mostly for lightness and convenience), but if my feet will be cold, then maybe I need to "return" to booties and open-heels??
Opinions / Ideas?? I really can't bring all my equipment, so I am trying to make wise choices here...

ANY advice would be appreciated...especially from people that live/work in Cayman and dive there all year round.
Thanks!
HB

 

[Alex777]

The water temperature will rise now from about 82 degrees up to 86-87 in July/August, then start to fall slowly. By Christmas it should be in the range 78 to 81 ... So, yes, our temps are a bit lower.

A few divers here wear hoods, but not many. Gloves are prohibited. Full-foot fins are very popular, but lots of folks wear booties too. If you are needing a 3mm now, it sounds like you might have to pack the 5 mm, the hood, & the booties for Cayman.

 

[RJP]

If the water is wet, Im diving dry!

Did 30 dry dives on the cayman aggressor two weeks ago.


Everyone laghed - until after the night dive!

 

[F106A]

Using either a 3MM shorty or 3MM umpsuit, depending on the water temp (~80 +/-) then adding a hood (5 or 7MM) after the first couple of dives of the day seems to work for me; still warm after up to seven dives. It may look funny but it eliminates having to wear (and transport) all that heavy rubber and achieves the same end result. Boots: they offer more traction on a pitching ladder than bare feet. And protect your toes when they slam into the edges of that ladder. BT, DT.

 

[caymaniac]

We were just in the Caymans, at the Brac and Little, water temp...81F-82F. A 3mm body suit works well, on the 2nd or third dive I go for the beanie.

 

[CJ's]

As you know, everybody's needs are different but let me give you an idea of the "industry standard" for instructors working here!

You are starting at a good time of year, just as the waters start to warm up!
Firstly the good news: thermoclines are extremely rare here so we have little to no difference in water temp between 1 and 100ft.
Typically during the summer months (Jun-Sep) you will get away without wearing anything more than a rashguard, even for 3/4 dives a day. The water is warm and so are the air temps so you warm up quickly between dives.
At the other extreme I know instructors that wear 7mm full suits during the winter months (jan-mar) although this is unusual. I rarely see anybody wearing more than a 5mm and a 3mm full would probably be the norm during the winter.
We do get the occasional day however when you wish you had brought your drysuit with you!
I guess it partly depends on who you will be working for as the type of boats you will be working on can determine how much you can warm up (or not!) between dives.

Personally, diving every day, I prefer to wear as little exposure protection as possible. I can't stand putting that clammy wetsuit on from the day before as it is unlikely that you will ever get it dry doing 3/4 dives a day. We have had a slightly warmer winter than normal this year and i have survived all winter in a 3mm shorty. rashguard "soon come" as we say down here. Full foot fins are definitely the way to go as you probably won't be doing much shore diving and the shore diving you do will be 99% entries and exits on ladders.

In short i would suggest you bring your 5mm full, a 3mm shorty and a rashguard and you should be covered for most eventualities. Leave the hood at home!

CJ

 

[susan6868]

We were in Cayman this past November, during a Norwester, so the weather was unusually chilly and windy. I wore a 3m full all week and my husband a 3m shorty for two dives a day. We were both fine. I can't imagine needing more than a 3m at this time of year even if you tend to err on the chilly side.
Have fun- dive safe- it's really nice!