Best way to travel for varied water temps

[cubbiegirlem]

I am planning some massive dive travel (a gap year in a career change) and it's likely I will be diving a wide variety of temps. I'll be in Equatorial waters diving in 80+ F but I also am likely to be in Southern Africa in summer (when diving conditions are supposed to be great but in the low 60s F. I have a 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm but I would prefer not to have half my luggage weight be weight suits. What would you recommend? Are there great neoprene pieces I should bring I could layer on top of my 3 mm? Should I just suck it up and bring multiple wetsuits? My biggest concern about this trip is getting dive gear, photography gear, and necessities around.

 

[stuartv]

Lightweight drysuit. Something like a DUI 30/30 or Waterproof D9.

 

[cubbiegirlem]

Lightweight drysuit. Something like a DUI 30/30 or Waterproof D9.

Hmmmm. I've thought about buying a drusuit but they're so expensive. I understand they give you a great discount as an instructor but I'm planning to get that certification in Bali. How easy is it to get dry suits in Indonesia/the Philippines? Do they have a discount for DMs? (I'll have that before leaving.).

I've thought about buying a drysuit being in the Midwest but they're just so expensive... And I'm unlikely to use it much before I get my DM/instructor certification.

 

[Wingy]

A 5mm, a lavacore or similar hooded vest, a thermal shield over the top - and suck it up sometimes - you might also consider a dive skin for SEA and other 3mm destinations.....you could always layer a 5mm over a skin with a vest and shield ontop..that would roughly equate to a 7mm.

 

[stuartv]

Hmmmm. I've thought about buying a drusuit but they're so expensive. I understand they give you a great discount as an instructor but I'm planning to get that certification in Bali. How easy is it to get dry suits in Indonesia/the Philippines? Do they have a discount for DMs? (I'll have that before leaving.).

I've thought about buying a drysuit being in the Midwest but they're just so expensive... And I'm unlikely to use it much before I get my DM/instructor certification.

Some brands give a discount to pros. I don't know about Waterproof or DUI, though.

USIA suits have a good rep and aren't that expensive. Not sure what they make that would be good for the tropics.

If you decide to get one, I would consider getting it ASAP and using it for all your diving, up to and including getting your cert in Bali.

 

[Adelaar Cruises]

...How easy is it to get dry suits in Indonesia/the Philippines?

Sorry, but I cannot think of any outlet in Bali that sells dry-suits, our waters just aren't cold enough to warrant it. I've only seen 2 people use them here, and they brought them to practice in before their cold water expedition.