Bonaire in Summer...

[PAFirefighter]

Hey all,

I'll be in Bonaire for a week this summer. I'm 6'4", 210 lbs. I'm debating if I should run a shorty 3-5 mil, or just a skin while I'm down there. Diving in Dutch Springs here in PA I was only chilly while not moving much. All this was in a 7 mil full suit, booties, gloves, hood. Water temp was 58-64*. In the pool (74*) in a 5 mil shorty I was only chilly, again, while not really moving. It should be 81-84* water temps while I am there, from what I am reading. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[herman]

I usually just dive a skin that has a fleece lining (similar to polartech) and that is enough for me although I like a little more on night dives, a beenie cap if enough. Then again, a buddy of mine wears a full 5 mm and hood and is still cool. I would bring the 3mm if you have the room but also bring the skin if for no other reason than sun protection at the surface.

 

[rongoodman]

Last time I was there I was comfy in a 3mm full suit, not too warm.

 

[herbdb]

I usually dive a 3/2 shortie. I left it home when we went to Bonaire in April and was fine in a swimsuit and tee.

 

[PAFirefighter]

Thanks all! I'm just going to run my skin and see how that works. If worse comes to worse I'll rent a shorty or something while down there if I get cold.

 

[walrus2]

There is the slight possibility you might want a full suit to prevent being grated by the iron shore if the wind picks up. I was fine with either a full 3/2 or no wetsuit for warmth on two trips and when the water is calm it makes no difference for getting in/out, but a couple of days there was significant surf and a full suit was useful.

 

[PAFirefighter]

Thanks! I'll be running my full, 1 piece skin. I'm assuming it should work fine.

 

[parzdiver]

I have done Bonaire with a 3mm and a 1mm full suit. Neither was too much or too little. I prefer a full suit to a shorty for the protection it offers.

 

[CaboJim]

I dove there last August. The water temp was 84 & all I wore was a rash guard & board shorts. We did 5 dives a day for a week....
We're all different, so go with what you're comfortable with....