Do you use a wetsuit in CZML?

[jimw]

We are going Feb 2nd--9th. What is the water temp now on Coz? I know that the normal temp range is 78-80F, but what does your computer show? I plan to take an Aeroskin 1mil equivalent suit and a thin Lavacore hood. I am normally ok in this temp range doing a 2 hour shallow dive at Blue Heron Bridge.

 

[blue steal]

As others have pointed out it is all in your comfort level.
Here in California I use a 7mm full with a 5mm vest under that in the winter.
for surfing I use a 3/2mm full in the winter and a 3/2 shortie in the summer when the water reaches 65-66.
Been to COZ many times, tried a 1mm once and did not care for it and gave it away.
Now I am most comfortable with my Henderson shortie 3mm thru out together with a Pinnacle 3mm Hood.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I only wear a 2ml. shortie but I also only wear my3/2 suit when the temp is 68-70.

 

[gstrek]

Last trips to Coz in January and February, the water temps were around 77 to 79F and the air temp on some dive was in the mid-70s. I wore a 3 mm shorty (Henderson) but may have been more comfortable in a 3 mm full after a week of diving 2-3 dives/day, but the shorty was certainly fine.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

3 mil full, no hood. Wife wears a lavacore. More for protection than warmth. Safe travels! Jay

 

[MMM]

Please note that the OP is VERY slender. Heavy people seem to chill less. As a new diver, his dive times might not be long...but on the other hand, maybe he's great on air. But almost nothing is more miserable than being cold underwater. I would FAR rather be too warm than too cold.

 

[scubadada]

Please note that the OP is VERY slender. Heavy people seem to chill less. As a new diver, his dive times might not be long...but on the other hand, maybe he's great on air. But almost nothing is more miserable than being cold underwater. I would FAR rather be too warm than too cold.

You can be too warm?

I choose my full suit based on expected temperature: 80s 3mm, mid-high 70s 5mm, low 70s and below 7mm. I always have a 5/3mm hooded vest with me for flexibility with any of the full suits. I'd be diving my 5mm in Cozumel now.

Good luck

 

[DFDubb]

Did 2-3 dives a day for a week earlier this month in nothing but board shorts and it was perfect. I actually did my first dive in a 3 mill and just decided it wasn't worth the hassle of putting it on / off. I'm thin, 6' 1" and 185lbs, never came close to getting cold. Computer said most temps were 76-78. I think mild TX winters are cold so I'm not some polar bear either. I'm somewhat new to diving and find it a bit odd that everyone seems to wear so much gear in warm tropical water. Pretty sure the DM's down there have a few chuckles.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Did 2-3 dives a day for a week earlier this month in nothing but board shorts and it was perfect. I actually did my first dive in a 3 mill and just decided it wasn't worth the hassle of putting it on / off. I'm thin, 6' 1" and 185lbs, never came close to getting cold. Computer said most temps were 76-78. I think mild TX winters are cold so I'm not some polar bear either. I'm somewhat new to diving and find it a bit odd that everyone seems to wear so much gear in warm tropical water. Pretty sure the DM's down there have a few chuckles.

You say you are pretty new to diving. Wait until you are not so new. For whatever reason, the more dives people have under their belt, the more exposure protection they add. The DMs are just as susceptible to this phenomenon as any of us, and while I suppose some still wear board shorts, I suspect most have added more neoprene over the years. Many of us started out in board shorts for those dives in 80F water, then after a few dozen dives we bought a 3 mm shorty because we started feeling a little chilly. Then the shorty gave way to a full suit. Nowadays, I like the 3 mm suit for diving in the low 80s, and for 76-78F I might even wear a 5/4 mm. If it's cloudy, drizzly and breezy, as it sometimes can be in winter in Cozumel, it's definitely the 5/4 for me. Just wait--you'll see.

 

[DFDubb]

I'm not hating. I've spent my life surfing in all types of climates so I have plenty of suit options. I just hope I never get to a point where 80 feels chilly. Not too many other options for anything much warmer.