Caymans Advice

[creamofwheat]

I am travelling to the Caymans next August on the Cayman Aggressor with my boyfriend.

This will be my first live aboard experience. So, I was wondering if I could get a little advice from the Cayman veterans! Mainly on exposure protection. I get very cold, very easily. I do own a shorty, but I have a feeling that I would begin to get chilled after multiple dives for many days in a row in just that. What exposure protection do you recommend? Yes, I am planning early, but I have to budget for this. Broke student, you know!

 

[caymaniac]

I would recommend a 3mm body suit and a scuba hat or hood.

 

[rickhalprin]

water temp in august will be about 83-85 F. 3mm full suit will be plenty. gloves not permitted.
have a great time

 

[DiverDebbie]

As a BC diver who easily gets cold in her drysuit (mainly face, head, hands and feet... and arms and legs and chest.. haha... I hate the cold!), I can relate. I took a 3mm full and 3mm shorty with me to the Caymans. I just got back a few days ago. The water was 81/82 at this time of year. I did brave the shorty because being in a full suit in the hot sun makes you want to gear up real fast and get in the water before you pass out! I was warm enough. Then I broke the zipper and had to go back to the full suit. It certainly doesn't hurt to wear a full suit (not like you'd be sweating.. in the water), but you should be just fine in the shorty. Mind you, I did 2 dives a day max. and not for multiple days/dives typical of a liveaboard. You could otherwise add a vest with a hood for less extra cost than getting a full suit, and it would help keep your core and head warmer if you're still concerned.

 

[CJ's]

The water temp in august will be 85/86f.
Basically like a warm bath. You should be fine in a shorty even for 5 dives a day.
I feel the cold being in the water every day but in those summer months the most I ever wear is a rashguard.

CJ

 

[creamofwheat]

Thanks for the responses, all.