Exposure protection for Channel Islands in the summer?

[emttim]

Ok, so I'm thinking of doing another dive trip to the Channel Islands the first weekend of June and the charter's web site states that the temperatures typically are 60-70 degrees. I've never dove in water that "warm", so will there be any change in exposure protection required, such as maybe just using a hoodie instead of hooded vest or switching to 5mm? Can I still dive comfortably with a 7mm wetsuit and 5mm hooded vest and just avoid getting cold for that much longer?

 

[D_B]

Me? I would use the 7mm suit, with a hood, gloves and boots.. and if it gets over 60* at depth, then I would forgo the 5mm hooded vest

 

[Clammy]

Stick with your 7mm and regular hood. Bring the hooded vest if you get cold easily but I doubt you'll need it. Which boats are you thinking of taking?

 

[fisherdvm]

I would also agree with 7 mm full and hood. One could do OK with 5 mm, but definitely not 3mm. I've seen people with chattering teeth in an 80 degree pool and a full 3 mm. It is better to be over dressed and tear down between dives than to be underdressed and cold.

 

[dannobee]

Chances are that the charter will be for two or, more likely, three dives. Keep the 7mm and hooded vest on. By the end of the day, you'll likely be tired and cold.

I've been to the channel islands several times, the only time I've seen 70 degrees is on the surface near shore, otherwise it's 50's and 60's, especially at depth. Sometimes high 40's if the site is exposed to upwellings.

I have yet to see someone coming up from a dive in California and saying, "You know, that would've been a better dive if it was just a little colder."

 

[under water]

I dove Anacapa at the end of May last year. I just checked my log and min temp was consistently 55-57 over three days. I wore a drysuit but many folks that were in wetsuits were mostly cold (shivering between dives).. even those in 7mm. Some called the dives short because they were too cold.

So I would recommend keeping all your gear to start. Of course if you are used to much colder water, then you might be toasty.

Catalina should be warmer. Which island are you going to?

 

[David P]

I agree with the 7 mil and hood, however about 2 years ago, maybe 3.... I was out there in summer and I couldn't believe how warm it was, just a squeak over 70!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I dove the Channel Islands last July. I dove dry as did one or two others. Most everyone else was in 7mm wetsuits with hooded vests or hoods as well as gloves. We had minimum temps of 60 F at Santa Cruz and 65-67 F at Anacapa. This was in late July last year. Given that you'll most likely be doing 3 dives, I'd definitely go with the suit and vest. You'll lose heat as the day wears on and you don't want to have to cut those dives short because you're cold. Awesome diving and I'd love to go back someday.

 

[SCUBAJENNIFER]

I have yet to see someone coming up from a dive in California and saying, "You know, that would've been a better dive if it was just a little colder."

I don't know Dan...I've said that in Monterey!!

Seriously though, I've done Anacapa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa multiple times and at different times of year. It's always COLD!! I always error on the side of warmer is better.

The highest I've ever seen was 63...the only time I've ever seen 70 was on Catalina in August.

 

[emttim]

Ok, fair enough, thanks guys! I normally use a hooded vest anyway, that's what I own, so I'll just stick to that instead of a regular hoodie...I'm diving off the Spectre and it's a 4 dive trip so yeah by the end of the day I doubt I'll be sweating.

Last time I went on the Spectre they went to Anacapa, although the schedule says they go to either Anacapa or Santa Cruz. I probably won't be cold with my gear as is though, fortunately I seem to have a pretty good tolerance for it seeing as even the 48 degrees at depth dives I did in Monterey didn't make me shiver (although the air temp since this was in December is another matter entirely, gah).

I'd like to check out Catalina sometime, but honestly I just want to go back to Anacapa at this point so my dive buddy can check out the sites that I saw last time (went with a diff buddy 'cause he couldn't get the time off work since it was spring break)...I sure won't be complaining if they end up going to Underwater Arch and The Garden Spot again.