Cozumel Feb water temp?

[ggunn]

Ordered a 3 mm Bare velocity planning for my first trip to Coz Feb 1. Shop owner who just got back said the 5/4 mm would be better and a lot of the divers were using them so I changed my order. What do ya think, will I be ok. Also, what's the best light for me to buy for night diving there. Never dove at night before.
Thanks alot.
Rex

You don't really need to buy a light, as most operators furnish them on night dives, but it's a good idea, IMO. I take two lights on a night dive - a big one and a small one. The small one is good for the dive itself, and the big one is good to have for unexpected situations and for lighting up the suface on ascent.

I take the big one on virtually every daylight dive when I'm on Cozumel, too, for illuminating swimthroughs and peering into grottoes for critters.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[pilot fish]

The current water temp that is reported in Coz in the last few weeks sounds encouragin 79* - 80*. Should I bring my skin with my 3 mil?

 

[Christi]

The current water temp that is reported in Coz in the last few weeks sounds encouragin 79* - 80*. Should I bring my skin with my 3 mil?

The current water temps in Cozumel are between 78 and 80 during January/February. It can be cooler on the surface than underwater, so a windbreaker or sweatshirt comes in very handy on the boat to warm you up in between dives, which is very important. For example, it is currently 68º with a strong wind out of the north...that's COLD when you get out of 78º water.

When deciding what thermal protection you need, consider the following:

1. Water temperature?
2. How many days will you be diving?
3. How many dives per day will you be doing?
4. What kind of bottom times are you planning?
5. What type of thermal protection do you wear in your local area and what are the answers to these same questions?
6. How easily do you chill?

People wear anything from just a bathing suit to a full 7mm here. I personally wear a full 5mm with a 2mm hooded vest underneath. I dive a lot, I do long bottom times, and I have become acclimated to the warmer climate, so I chill more easily that I used to.

Most people are fine in a full 3mm. However, I would suggest bringing a hood or a hooded vest that you can add if you start getting chilled after the first few days. Remember, 75% of our body heat is lost through our head. A 3mm suit is much more versatile and is a good all year round suit for tropical diving.

I hope this helps and I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Don't forget something to keep you warm on the boat.

 

[Harro10]

I am bringing my 3mm plus my sharkskin in case I am able to get over to the cenotes.

 

[pilot fish]

The current water temps in Cozumel are between 78 and 80 during January/February. It can be cooler on the surface than underwater, so a windbreaker or sweatshirt comes in very handy on the boat to warm you up in between dives, which is very important. For example, it is currently 68º with a strong wind out of the north...that's COLD when you get out of 78º water.

When deciding what thermal protection you need, consider the following:

1. Water temperature?
2. How many days will you be diving?
3. How many dives per day will you be doing?
4. What kind of bottom times are you planning?
5. What type of thermal protection do you wear in your local area and what are the answers to these same questions?
6. How easily do you chill?

People wear anything from just a bathing suit to a full 7mm here. I personally wear a full 5mm with a 2mm hooded vest underneath. I dive a lot, I do long bottom times, and I have become acclimated to the warmer climate, so I chill more easily that I used to.

Most people are fine in a full 3mm. However, I would suggest bringing a hood or a hooded vest that you can add if you start getting chilled after the first few days. Remember, 75% of our body heat is lost through our head. A 3mm suit is much more versatile and is a good all year round suit for tropical diving.

I hope this helps and I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Don't forget something to keep you warm on the boat.

As usual, great advice. I plan on 3 mil plus 3 mil aviator style head covering. Was thinking of using my skin to do a check-out shore dive in front of the resort and was wondering if that would be ok? It's a shallow 25 ft dive

 

[Christi]

As usual, great advice. I plan on 3 mil plus 3 mil aviator style head covering. Was thinking of using my skin to do a check-out shore dive in front of the resort and was wondering if that would be ok? It's a shallow 25 ft dive

Depth is not an issue here regarding water temp. Water temps are the same at 10 feet as they are at 100 feet. We do not have thermoclines here except on rare, rare occasion. Even then, they are not true thermoclines and you can easily get yourself back into the warm water.

Keep in mind that a normal skin is not thermal protection. it is simply exposure protection against brishing up against anything or things in the water. If it doesn't have neoprene or some other insulating material, it is nothing more than exposure protection.

 

[pilot fish]

Depth is not an issue here regarding water temp. Water temps are the same at 10 feet as they are at 100 feet. We do not have thermoclines here except on rare, rare occasion. Even then, they are not true thermoclines and you can easily get yourself back into the warm water.

Keep in mind that a normal skin is not thermal protection. it is simply exposure protection against brishing up against anything or things in the water. If it doesn't have neoprene or some other insulating material, it is nothing more than exposure protection.

I wonder if the Henderson Hotskin has any thermal protection?

 

[berick]

As usual, great advice. I plan on 3 mil plus 3 mil aviator style head covering. Was thinking of using my skin to do a check-out shore dive in front of the resort and was wondering if that would be ok? It's a shallow 25 ft dive

Why wouldn't you want to wear the neoprene you're planning on diving with on the checkout dive? That way, you'd be more likely to get your weight dialed in.

 

[pilot fish]

Why wouldn't you want to wear the neoprene you're planning on diving with on the checkout dive? That way, you'd be more likely to get your weight dialed in.

You're a 100% correct. I was going to do the check-out dive to make sure my friend had the right weights but I totally zoned out on myself. I know what my weights are in a 3 mil, same gear, but I need to make sure, since all my last dives have been with 1 mil. Yep, I will check out with my 3 mil on. Thanks