Curacao: Wet Suit?

[vox]

Headed to Curacao at the end of the month into the first week of April.

Any recommendations on exposure protection?

I have a Farmer John 3mm but am wondering if a full 3mm isn't called for.

Water temp appears to be between 78 and 81 degrees F.

Discussion?

Thanks!

~m

 

[ronbeau]

Headed to Curacao at the end of the month into the first week of April.

Any recommendations on exposure protection?

I have a Farmer John 3mm but am wondering if a full 3mm isn't called for.

Water temp appears to be between 78 and 81 degrees F.

Discussion?

Thanks!

~m

I was there at the beginning of July last year and I dove with a full length Bare 1 mm neoprene dive skin. I also took along a 3 mm shorty which I did not use.

My daughter was using Bare Velocity 3/2 mm full length jump suit. I was comfortable and so was she.

I should mention that we did at most two dives per day and some days during the two week stay we did not do any diving.

 

[mikerault]

When I did my AOW there last September I used a dive skin. My wife used a 1mm and was comfortable as well. At most I would say a 3mm full or the 3mm FJ with a dive skin.

I like to use at least a dive skin in tropical water to protect from floaties...I got a painful score on my arm in open water from a free-floating tentacle and nearly bit to distraction by sea lice on the two times I didn't wear a dive skin (at Grand Turk) so since then in tropics I like to cover up a bit.

Mike

 

[padi1029]

I am 6-01 200 lb guy, relatively fit, I dived Aruba late summer in a 3m short sleeve shorty no hood and was very comfortable. I dived Bahamas late fall in a long sleeve shorty no hood and was too warm. I dived Bonaire last May, started out in a 3/2 Bare full suit, making 3-4 dives daily, ended up getting chilled and added a full 3m hood. was good to go after that. Point being no matter what I or anyone else recommends it all comes down to you and your body at any given time. IMO, take the 3m farmer john and try it first. If the full suit is too much, lose one piece and just wear the other, maybe with a skin for some abrasion protection. If you find 3m is still to warm for you, try renting one of the resort suits, they are typically 1-2m shorty. I would strongly recommend bringing a beanie or full hood, you may find you want it. I never thought I would wear it...boy was I wrong and glad I had one. I now take both a hood and beanie on every warm water dive trip.

 

[Jetwrench]

Such a subjective question you ask. If you get cold easily, a 3mm full would be a good choice. Less suseptable? 1-3mm shorty. Always warm? Dive skin or t-shirt and shorts. Add to that the duration and frequency of the dives you plan to do each day and you should be able to decide on a suit. I would suggest taking a light hood in case you do start to feel a chill. It can really make a difference if you find your selection is not enough protection. I know a DM on Bonaire who wears a 7mm full but I think he sucks air through an eye dropper cause his bottom times are rediculously long.

 

[z28rgr8]

Headed to Curacao at the end of the month into the first week of April.

Any recommendations on exposure protection?

I have a Farmer John 3mm but am wondering if a full 3mm isn't called for.

Water temp appears to be between 78 and 81 degrees F.

Discussion?

Thanks!

~m

If your choice is the 3mm or nothing, I'd suggest you bring the 3mm. I was there a couple of weeks ago and while the water is warm, it's about 10-15 degrees cooler than the air temp. Water was 21c. If you have something a little lighter, you may bring it along as well. After 3-4 dives in the day followed by a night dive, you may wish you had the 3mm. It's subjective, but the 3mm may come in handy..

Have a great time..

 

[vox]

Thanks everyone for your time and feedback.

Much appreciated.

~M