nvert
Contributor
I did a liveaboard in the Bahamas Dec 10-17, 2005. Air temps were consistently upper 70s-mid 80s but with the consent sea breezes I cooled off rather quickly after the dive. The water however was 80 at the surface and dropped to a mere 79 at depth (109' was my deepest reading).
However, I can say this, I get cold easily even with my 5/4 fullsuit with a 1mm hooded vest the chill hit me by the second day. Although I never got the cold shakes underwater while swimming, I did get them when I was hanging on my safety stops. Of course this is 5 dives a day 5 days in a row. You're bound to get chilled without proper exposure protection, especially if their is a breeze on the surface that will further cool you down which is typical for December. It was sunny all week except for one day of clouds.
I'm going again March 4-11. I expect the water temps to be a degree cooler due to the winter so I'm bringing a Bare 5mm zipped hood/vest combo and a 7/6 mm fullsuit to use *if necessary*. When diving this time of the year in the Carib, you need layers to suit the varied conditions. Although a PITA to pack, better be safe than sorry. I also suggest for you to bring warm clothing to change into once out of your wetsuit. But then again I do get cold easily and getting cold makes for no fun. Drinking hot herbal tea during your SI helps as well.
Happy diving!
However, I can say this, I get cold easily even with my 5/4 fullsuit with a 1mm hooded vest the chill hit me by the second day. Although I never got the cold shakes underwater while swimming, I did get them when I was hanging on my safety stops. Of course this is 5 dives a day 5 days in a row. You're bound to get chilled without proper exposure protection, especially if their is a breeze on the surface that will further cool you down which is typical for December. It was sunny all week except for one day of clouds.
I'm going again March 4-11. I expect the water temps to be a degree cooler due to the winter so I'm bringing a Bare 5mm zipped hood/vest combo and a 7/6 mm fullsuit to use *if necessary*. When diving this time of the year in the Carib, you need layers to suit the varied conditions. Although a PITA to pack, better be safe than sorry. I also suggest for you to bring warm clothing to change into once out of your wetsuit. But then again I do get cold easily and getting cold makes for no fun. Drinking hot herbal tea during your SI helps as well.
Happy diving!