Cold water diving - we LOVE it!

[DCN]

We are beginner divers, we were certified late last year, so our dive count is relatively low. Our plan after getting certified was to practice with all our new gear in a pool all winter, a plan which has failed miserably. Why? Because we've been diving in cold water almost every weekend since mid-October. That's something we thought would never, ever happen, not in a million years. But guess what? We love every second of it! Going out there practicing and gaining experience has been a lot of fun (and some frustrations, of course, the learning curve is steep as f..) and we are so happy that we chose that instead of warm pool water.

So we wonder, are there other beginners (and experienced divers) out there that enjoy the cold water? Or do you prefer to get your dive count up in clear blue warmer waters?

(Edited the title)

 

[Will1760]

I think there is an answer missing from the poll along the lines of "I'll happily dive in both warm and cold water". There's some really cool things to see in the UK but at the same time clear blue water has it's appeal

 

[rrw1987]

I enjoy a variety of both. I also feel there is an added challenge to diving in cold water to the point where cold water divers can dive in warm water but not all warm water divers can dive in cold water. I also feel if you don't dive locally it is hard to achieve the level of proficiency that diving weekly year round can give you.

 

[EternalCompression]

Good Day,
Congrats on jumping into the world of diving!!! I live in an area that routinely experiences cold weather along with cold water. We find that the visibly can be pretty good when it is colder . Now that I do longer deeper dive I only do dry suit diving when I am not in the Caribbean.

Our typical water temps are 2-7 Degrees Celsius, If you go the route of the dry suit I have found buying diving specific undergarments makes the difference, along with 100meter safe heated vest was a game changer.

SC

 

[DCN]

I think there is an answer missing from the poll along the lines of "I'll happily dive in both warm and cold water". There's some really cool things to see in the UK but at the same time clear blue water has it's appeal

Fixed
We agree, clear blue water is definitely amazing! But since we're not close to anywhere warm, we have to dive cold if we're going to get that dive experience and practice.

 

[DCN]

I enjoy a variety of both. I also feel there is an added challenge to diving in cold water to the point where cold water divers can dive in warm water but not all warm water divers can dive in cold water. I also feel if you don't dive locally it is hard to achieve the level of proficiency that diving weekly year round can give you.

We've done 8 warm water dives, and initially we thought that it was the only way for us to dive. Now that we have been diving cold locally, we really appreciate it, and of course also the fact that we are able to handle those conditions fairly well.

 

[DCN]

Good Day,
Congrats on jumping into the world of diving!!! I live in an area that routinely experiences cold weather along with cold water. We find that the visibly can be pretty good when it is colder . Now that I do longer deeper dive I only do dry suit diving when I am not in the Caribbean.

Our typical water temps are 2-7 Degrees Celsius, If you go the route of the dry suit I have found buying diving specific undergarments makes the difference, along with 100meter safe heated vest was a game changer.

SC

Thanks! We do have good undergarments (incl all the other gear), so not really affected by cold at all. Visibility has gradually become better and better as winter progresses. A heated vest sounds advanced!

 

[Searcaigh]

The West of Scotland can have some incredible visibility at times with low temperatures <10C and the Persian Gulf can have <1m vis in 35C

Although I do prefer warmer water, I do prefer great visibility and willing to sacrifice low temperature for this.

It's a matter of wearing the correct clothing to deal with the temperature.

 

[Sascha314]

Well diving cold water is what I can do on a regular basis in winter and for almost free. In summer its warmer but of course not like ocean warm conditions (winter like 4°C.bottom, while summer up to 16°C bottom, but in summer in shallow it can be easily 2x°C in the shallows while its evenly distributed in winter). To dive warm I either have to travel or dive indoors. Both of them are not an option for regular diving.

I enjoy both.

 

[USdiver1]

Congrats on getting certified and welcome to the hobby of scuba diving. Warm or cold, I trust you will find the undersea world fascinating. I personally enjoy cold water diving just as much as a trip to the tropics. Different fauna but just as amazing, and cold water preserves many man made sites.