Diving Bunaken & Pulau Weh - Exposure suit to take?

[zebrax0r]

Hi all.

Well, I'm off to Indo on the 22nd of this month, and I'm not sure what I'm in for in terms of water temps. I am about to grab a 5mm Pinnacle Elastoprene. I'm thinking this is robust enough to keep me warm, even in harsh thermoclines. Will I be OK with a 5mm, or do people anticipate that I'll swelter this time of year, in this kind of water? I've warn 5mm suits in Borneo, Malaysia, on a previous trip - seemed fine...

Thanks.

z

 

[xariatay]

If u were ok in Malaysia, guess u will be ok in Bunaken too (didn't hear my friend complain abt being cold in Weh with 3mil). I am usually ok with 3mil + a hood, even for 1+hr dive. Oh ya, but thermoclines are unpredictable... Anyway, have fun!

 

[IceIce]

Hi there,

I don't know about Weh, but Bunaken you should be doing alright with 0.5 + 0.5 vest and hood.
3mm will be safer though, but I don't see a need for 5mm.

Cheers,
Ice

 

[pelan-pelan]

5 mm seems a bit heavy. Herself is a chilly mortal and only wears 1.5 plus a hood. If it turns out to be colder than expected (unlikely) you could always hire a suit.

Why not email the dive centres and ask? I would have thought Bunaken would be fine with 3 mm but not sure about Weh.

 

[kilo_fox]

I have only very little biopren and felt very much ok in a (long) 3mm wetsuit plus hooded vest in both locations. So unless you get really quickly cold a 3 mm wetsuit should be sufficient..

 

[Bubble Junky]

I dived Weh in mainly boardies and rash top. I did put on a 3mm for the deep wreck, and you can get some thermoclines getting pushed up from the deep - esp. at sites like The Canyon (my Fave.). I don't feel the cold as much as some though, but I imagine a 3mm would be fine (and lighter in your luggage than a 5mm).

 

[kathydee]

I agree -- a 3mm has served me in Bali, Borneo and Sulewesi. I also bring a rash guard & 1mm hood just in case

If you get cold a 5mm won't be too hot, can always unzip a bit -- but will weigh more ;-) Have fun!